“Ry, it wasn’t like that,” Regan said.
“Well, you explain it. You were old enough to remember.” She stormed off up to her room.
* * * *
Two days later, Ash was discharged from the hospital and he immediately headed out to see Rylee. The place seemed deserted, but after a quick search around, he heard her singing and rattling around in the loft. He climbed the ladder and found her folding cotton rugs and saddle blankets. She hadn’t heard him arrive and he stood there on the top rung of the ladder watching her. Her lithe body was encased in clinging jodhpurs and a dark tight singlet top with a low neck, showing a long indentation of cleavage. Her dark curls bounced with her movement, hiding her face as she bent over displaying her curvy little butt right in front of him. His groin ached, but a tiny edge of apprehension tickled at him. Had he done enough to make it right between him and this sexy desirable woman? Would she welcome his loving? They had talked of many things in the hospital and while he liked to think it was all sorted, he didn’t think he could bear her rejection right now.
He climbed the last rung, tiptoed up behind her and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her butt hard against his swollen groin.
“Ekkkkk.”
“I’ve come to claim my woman. Will she have me?”
Rylee spun around in his arms and glowered up at him. “You scared the heck out of me.”
He tucked his hands under her butt and pressed her against him. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to frighten you, but my animal instincts got the better of me when you were waving your little butt in my face.”
“You cheeky bugger,” she responded, pressing herself against his hardness. “And what animal instincts would those be?”
“Do I really need to explain?”
“No.”
She wriggled her body against his.
“Then will you have me, woman? I want to fuck you until we are both so spent we’ll be sleeping here in the loft.”
“Yes, I’ll have you.”
“Now?”
“Mmmm, yes, now,” she murmured.
He showered light kisses over her cheeks, eyes and neck before he lowered her to the rugs on the floor. He covered her feminine curves with his body and entwined his long legs with hers.
With deliberate slowness he undid each button on her shirt, kissing every inch of flesh as he uncovered it. Her breasts rose above the edge of her lacy bra and her nipples were firm little peaks straining against the flimsy lace. With one large hand, he slid the material aside and lowered his head to suck at her dark nubs of erect flesh. Expertly he unclipped her bra and lifted it out of the way before moving to her other breast and running the tip of his tongue around her areola. Then he moved down to finish undoing the buttons on her shirt before he pulled the two pieces of material apart exposing her upper body. He returned to plant a trail of tender kisses over the soft swell of her tits before he moved with deliberate slowness down her rib cage across her abdomen before pausing at her navel. Here he dipped his tongue into the shallow indentation before running it around the rim and dipping it in again. “Rylee, my love. So gorgeous, sexy and all mine.”
She reached up and tousled his short hair before grasping it tightly and pulling him down to her. She stretched up and kissed him hard and demandingly before giving his head a little push downwards.
He laughed. “And she’s impatient too.” He obeyed and undid her jodhpurs. A small amount of squirming helped him dispose of them down to her ankles, at least. Then he had to pull away and stand. Rylee lay on her back, unable to hold in the giggles as she watched him struggle to pull her riding boots off and finally remove her jodhpurs. He scowled at her and proceeded to rip his clothes off. Then he pounced on her again, this time with nothing between them. “You’re a minx—a shameless minx, Ms. O’Shaughnessy, lying there laughing while you lover struggles with your restrictive clothing. Not even lifting your little finger to help.”
“Oh, I thought I was helping,” she said with a tiny chuckle. She eased her hand down between them and closed it over his fully erect cock and stroked her hand up and down the smooth throbbing shaft.
“Mmmmmm.”
“Is that helping?”
“Oh very much so,” Ash moaned against her skin.
He brought his hand between her legs and delved into the wetness between her legs. “How about this?” he asked.
“A little,” she hummed, moving slightly to accommodate his access.
He kissed her, nibbling and exploring her mouth inside and out while he moved his fingers with ever increasing firmness around her entrance and over her clit. Her pussy tingled and she whimpered when he dipped his digits inside, probing and caressing. She opened her legs for him, and he lifted himself over her, supporting himself easily while he lowered his head to kiss her. She moved her hand down and guided his penis to the entrance of her pussy. He hovered there for a short while, the head of his cock lying just inside her entrance, enjoying the firmness of her grip on his shaft. He slipped his cock in a little more then withdrew it. He watched for her reaction as he repeated the teasing action again and again.
“Ash, don’t tease. Just fuck me. I want you,” she cried.
He chuckled and continued his teasing little dance. Rylee lifted her hips to get deeper penetration, but Ash was ready for it, playfully refusing to satisfy her aching need to have him enter her and thrust hard and fast. She cried out in frustration.
He chuckled again. “You really want me?”
“For goodness sake, yes. I want all of you.”
“Like this?” he asked and sank the full length of his throbbing shaft into her. Every inch of it.
“Yes.” She almost screamed with relief and arousal as the single thrust of his cock ignited all the trembling nerve endings into a frenzy. Every bit of her tingled between her legs, down her inner thighs and right up inside her pussy to her cervix. She whimpered her protest when he almost pulled out, but before she could draw breath to protest his withdrawal, he sank all the way in again. Her legs trembled and her climax spiraled from where he thrust into her, through her body to her hair roots and back again. She curled her toes under the intensity and groaned her pleasure as she reveled in the sensation of Ash’s continued slow thrusting. She dragged in a deep breath and stilled while the vibrations of his climax throbbed and reverberated on the now sensitive walls of her pussy. Then he sagged onto her, his penis still embedded inside her body. He lay for a long moment, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Then he rolled off her, taking her and the horse blanket with him. She laid her cheek on his chest and softly stroked his skin. He ran his hand idly over her hair as they remained joined for a long moment. Every cell of her body was relaxed—content. She sighed and kissed his jawline as she felt him slip out of her. Still they didn’t move, but clung together for a long time in their private cocoon, the sound of horses snuffling and stamping below the only thing that intruded into their golden afterglow. Rylee wanted to preserve this feeling between them forever.
The light had faded before either of them moved. Reluctantly Rylee crawled out from under the rug and pulled on her clothes.
She knew these trysts would have to end soon. She couldn’t bear to tell Ash that her carelessness had killed her baby brother. She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing uncertainty and fear in his eyes when she looked after Lilli—the blame she had seen for years in her father’s. She never wanted to see that look in Ash’s eyes. She would rather never see him again than have to carry that in her memory until the end of her days.
* * * *
The rain thrummed steadily on the roof. Both Regan and Ash were seated in front of the fire, sipping hot chocolate and eating hot buttered toast while plates of thick homemade soup cooled in chunky pottery mugs. Rylee was suddenly overcome with shyness under her brother’s probing gaze with the feel of Ash’s loving still warm on her skin. She lowered herself into the chair closest to the fire and stretched her hands out to the flames.
“You ok, sis?”
“I’m fine, you two. Stop fussing.”
Ash cleared his throat. “I saw Arden this morning. We’ve talked about the future.” He touched his bruised face. “I talked, she cried and made excuses, but nothing is going to change my mind. I realize I’ve been an idiot—like an ostrich, burying my head in the sand. I didn’t want to see what Arden was doing. I didn’t want to stop loving my sister.”
“Ash—” Rylee began.
He put his finger to her lips. “Shhh, just listen. I need to get this out before it drives me insane with guilt and rage.”
She sat and clasped her hands in her lap. She hungered for the man in front of her. He appeared so anguished and beaten, but underneath she could sense a band of determination. She desperately wanted to take him into her arms, but he warded her off and she sank back into her seat.
“I made the wrong choice ten years ago, but I’m not going to make the same mistake again. Arden has made her own destiny and if she doesn’t like it, there is nothing I can do about it. My future is with you, if you’ll have me.”
She leaped out of her chair and flung herself into his embrace. “Oh, Ash, I do love you.”
He hugged her tightly, but then pushed her away. “I know you love me, Rylee. I’ve never doubted that, but I need you to respect and trust me too. Can you?”
“I want to. Today…fronting up to Arden, admitting you turned a blind eye and refusing to continue condoning her behavior has been a big step. I know this has been incredibly painful for you, but I don’t expect it’s finished yet. I respect you for taking this step, but can you stand by your decision when Arden comes crying or when the media take a stab at her. Will you be able to put us first? I need to know that. I need to be sure you won’t renege on your decision—that you will never support or ignore her wrong doing again.”
“I know, and it’s what you deserve. It’s what I want to give you. I know my words will never be enough. Just give me time, my love. I need a chance to show you I can be trusted.”
She sank to her knees in front of him. “I love you, Ash. I know you love your sister, despite her behavior. I’m not asking you to reject her so completely, just her behavior. I know it’s going to be heartbreaking, but I‘ll stand by you. We can do this together.”
He cupped her face and placed a chaste kiss on her mouth. “And Lilli…”
Her own fear snatched at her happiness in that moment. Ash may have repaired his bridges and declared his love and loyalty, but she was yet to reveal her tragic secret, and that revelation could change it all. Ash must have sensed her hesitation. He let his hands drop to his lap. “Rylee?”
She knew he was asking if she was willing to make the arrangement a family. She couldn’t bring herself to end it right now. Rylee looked across at her brother. He frowned at her and nodded. She knew he was trying to indicate that this was her moment to tell. The words choked in her throat. She couldn’t do it. Instead she said, “Yes, and Lilli.”
* * * *
Two days later, Reg called.
“Boomerang Joe has just turned up here, Rylee. He’s in bad shape. Looks to me like he’s been ridden to within an inch of his life. I’ve called the vet.”
“I’m on my way, Reg,” Rylee cried into the phone.
Regan insisted on driving, and Rylee called Ash to cancel their date.
“Boomerang Joe just turned up at Reg’s. He’s injured.”
“I’ll meet you there,” Ash replied.
* * * *
By the time they arrived Ash was already standing by the horse, his hands clenched into fists at his side while Reg soothed the distressed animal as the vet examined him.
Rylee went to the horse and stroked his forehead. “You poor baby. What happened, big boy? How did you get into such a state?”
The big gray gelding looked sorry for himself as the vet examined him. He had a couple of gashes across his rump—jagged cuts where spurs would connect—across his neck and face, one fetlock was cut and he held one of his back legs off the ground. “Well, in my opinion, he has been ridden to an inch of dropping, spurred on and beaten over the head with a riding crop or whip of some kind. The legs could be from blows or riding hard on rough ground,” the vet stated bluntly.
“Bloody hell, who would do this to a horse?” Reg ran a gentle hand over Boomer’s rump.
Rylee glanced at Ash, but clamped her mouth shut, not wanting to make the accusation against Arden out loud. She knew the woman had no respect for horses, but to do this to an animal totally out of spite was disgusting even for her. Rylee was gutted to see such a beautiful animal—her animal—with such terrible damage. If Arden had appeared at that moment, Rylee knew she would have beaten the crap out of her, given her some of her own treatment. She paced back and forth, trying to calm her fury before she touched the horse. Tears stung behind her eyes and as she stalked back to the car. She stood there for a long moment then kicked the tires several times until her toe hurt. She stepped back, took a deep breath then returned to the stables. Ash had said nothing as he watched her take her frustration out on the expensive rubber of his wheels, had just stood there observing the injured horse and shaking his head.
“Boomer old fella, we’ll fix you,” she murmured as she stroked his neck and chest.
The big horse snuffled at her hair and moved restlessly. “I know who would do this.” Ash frowned. “For revenge,” he snarled. “Do you want to report her to the RSPCA, or I can deal with it, Rylee?”
She shook her head. “Let it go, Ash. I think we have enough between us without me sending your sister to prison.”
Everyone stood in stunned silence as Ash dialed and waited. No answer.
“I’ll deal with it, and, Damien, I’ll also deal with the vet bills. Spare no cost. He’s a good horse.”
“Sure. He should repair okay. Just the knee I’m worried about and I wouldn’t move him for a while.”
“No probs. Boomer can stay here for as long as needed,” Reg said.
“Good, give me the bill, for board and food,” Ash replied.
“I will and what about Cockatoo Ridge? I don’t want one of mine in her hands.”
“Don’t worry. All the horses are under the care of a temporary manager. I have plans for their future that don’t include Arden.”
Reg nodded. “Right.”
“You sure you don’t want to report her, Rylee?” Ash asked.
“No, not this time,” she said.
* * * *
The phone rang early Monday morning. Still eating breakfast after mucking out the stables, she snatched up the phone. “Rylee,” she mumbled through a mouthful of toast.
“Hi, it’s Lilli here. I’m on holidays now and I would like to come for a riding lesson. Dad says he can bring me. He said he’ll bring a picnic and we could all go riding together.”
“Oh hi. Of course you and your dad can come. What time?”
“He said about eleven.”
“Okay, see you then.”
Rylee sank back in her chair. She had been terrified Lilli would demand to come riding by herself. She had spent the last couple of days thinking up suitable excuses for why she couldn’t accommodate the child.
She hadn’t seen Ash since the episode with Boomerang Joe. She missed him, but work demands had kept him holed up as he tried to clear his schedule to be available for his daughter, now that Arden was out of their lives.
* * * *
Her breath caught in her chest as he stepped out of the car. Every line of his muscular body was emphasized by the black riding breeches, knee high boots and a casual blue button-through shirt that clung snugly to his chest, topped with a black leather bomber jacket. The wind had ruffled his hair and he was smiling as he pulled two saddle bags from the back seat.
Rylee snapped her gaping mouth shut and ran toward him. He draped the saddle bags over his shoulder and held his arms wide. She fell into his embrace and he hugged her close, dropping a light kiss on the tip of h
er nose.
“Come on. Let’s go riding. All that kissing stuff can wait till later.” Lilli tugged at Rylee’s vest.
She pulled out of Ash’s arms, disappointed with the shortness of the greeting. She gave a pretend pout at her lover, and Ash smiled and winked at her, as she allowed Lilli to drag her toward the stables. As they moved away from him, Ash tapped her on the backside. She squeaked and did a little skip out of his reach. He chuckled and lengthened his stride to come up beside her. He promptly tucked his arm around her waist and pulled her against his lean length.
“Can’t keep those horses and the kid waiting, you know,” Ash said.
Rylee smiled up at him. She knew he was promising more—later.
He leaned close to her ear. “Besides, she’s safely in bed by nine,” he whispered.
Rylee had already groomed the horses and done their feet so she just pointed out the tack. Although she could manage the bridle because of Zea’s size, Lilli needed a little help with the saddle and tightening the girth. As she worked beside her, Rylee quietly advised and instructed the child, reminding her of all the things she needed to do for the safety and comfort for the horse. By the time they had finished, Ash was just doing up the girth on Monti and Thor was already saddled. The three of them walked out of the stable side by side. A wave of emotion washed over Rylee. They might as well have been a family, but they weren’t because Lilli wasn’t hers and she was terrified of being expected to supervise the child alone. That itself prevented them from ever being a family, just as soon as she got the guts to tell Ash of her failure.
She rechecked and tightened Zea’s girth a little—the mare had a habit of puffing up when first saddled. She helped Lilli do up her helmet then held out her hands to give the child a boost onto the fifteen hand horse.
“Up you get, miss,” she said.
Lilli bounced into the saddle and once she was settled she, adjusted her feet in the stirrups. She took hold of the reins, just how she had been shown, and while she waited for the adults she stroked Zea’s neck.
Blood Ties a Broken Heart Page 12