by D'Ann Lindun
She stood and stumbled to the bathroom. Facing her reflection in the mirror she stared at her swollen lips and half- lidded eyes. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders like a Playmate’s. If she looked like this after only kissing the man, what would she resemble if they had made love? Probably a wet saddle blanket.
A shudder danced up and down her spine.
She had to get the man off her mind before she did something really stupid like follow him home and beg him to make love to her until they both had enough to last a lifetime.
CHAPTER SIX
Lyle woke up with a hard-on so intense he didn’t know if anything could relieve it. He’d left Sarah’s frustrated…and he was in even worse shape now. Just as his hand circled his cock, the incessant neighing of several horses startled him.
With a muffled curse, he threw back the covers and ran to the window. A herd of horses galloped down the driveway, straight for the two-lane highway. The neighs came from frantic horses in the corrals close to the barn.
Hard-on forgotten, Lyle jumped into a pair of jeans, snapped his shirt on the way toward the door and stomped into his boots. He tore outside, slapping his Stetson on as he went. The road wasn’t busy, but a herd of running horses and even one unsuspecting driver going too fast spelled disaster.
Lyle leaped into his pickup and sped after the stampeding horses. He had to get around the herd before they got onto the road. He managed to get past the stragglers and the middle, but the leaders ran in a flat-out race for the dangerous road ahead.
Stomping on the gas, he gripped the steering wheel hard as the pickup fishtailed on the gravel road. After he gained control, he sped up and one-by-one passed the horses thundering alongside his truck. His heart pounded in a crazy rhythm. If one of them darted in front of him…
Somehow, he managed to pull the truck around of all the animals and he hit the gas, racing to get far enough of them to spin the vehicle sideways, blocking the driveway. He jumped out of the truck and ran to the far side windmilling his arms. To his immense relief, the leaders slowed to a lope, then a trot and finally a walk.
Now that the animals were out of danger, he took a good look at them. He recognized them as Bailey’s bucking stock, the horses she made her living with. She had taken several to the rodeo; these were more from the same herd. If one or more had gotten killed on the highway it would hit her directly in the pocketbook. Not to mention her heart. She loved her horses. Losing one would hurt her terribly.
How had they gotten out?
After making sure the horses had settled down and were busy grazing, he returned to the truck and drove the short distance to the driveway’s gate. Lyle closed it and then drove back to the corral where the horses were kept.
The gate stood wide open, the latch clearly thrown back. Someone had opened the gate and most likely herded the horses out, knowing they would gallop for the road. He scanned the ground around the gate and spotted large boot tracks in the soft earth. Not his. Not Bailey’s smaller size. Pete had been gone for two days.
White hot anger filled him as the thought of the one person who had a grudge against both Bailey and him.
Rocky!
How had he not heard Bailey’s former employee skulking around? Because his mind—and other body parts—were focused on Sarah. His lack of attention could have cost Bailey a chunk of her livelihood. A shudder ran down his back. He had to be more alert. If Rocky planned to aim his revenge at the horses, Lyle had to be hyper aware. Calling the cops was out of the question. They’d probably laugh their asses off if an ex-con asked them for help. No, this was on him to keep Bailey and her possessions safe.
If he caught Rocky, he’d beat him—
No, he couldn’t. But he could and would threaten him with an inch of his miserable life.
With a sigh, he opened the gate wide and went to saddle Topsy. He’d need the gelding to round up the loose horses.
The gelding danced a little when Lyle saddled him, but he figured the horse was just antsy because of the loose horses. He led the bay to the barnyard where he checked the cinch one last time before mounting. When Lyle touched the gelding with his heels, the horse refused to move forward, shaking his head.
What the hell?
Lyle dug in his heels, a little firmer now.
Instead of stepping forward, the horse bunched up. He was going to buck! Lyle settled into the saddle moments before the horse launched himself into the air. Used to professional bucking horses, the bay’s minor league attempts didn’t unseat Lyle, but still took him by surprise.
After the horse finally came to a stop in the middle of the barnyard, Lyle dismounted and petted the gelding’s sweaty neck. “What was that all about?”
“Did you check his blanket for a burr or a scorpion?”
Lyle spun around to see who spoke. Sarah stood near the driveway. Her pickup sat several dozen feet behind her. “Didn’t think I needed to.”
She stepped closer. “Impressive riding. I see why you’re a champion.”
Lyle snorted. “This is a saddle horse. A kid could’ve ridden him.”
“A kid who is a bronc rider, maybe.” She stroked the bay’s face. “What set him off?”
“I have no idea.” Lyle uncinched the saddle and slid it from the horse’s back. He ran a hand over the horse’s sweat- slick hair. Clean. Smooth. He turned to the saddle blanket, running his hands over the wool surface. Something poked him hard enough to draw blood. He jerked back and sucked his middle finger. “Damn.”
“What?”
Lyle took a closer look. A piece of prickly pear cactus had been imbedded in the blanket. He pulled it out and examined the thorn. “Damn. I’d buck, too, if that was sticking me in the back.”
Sarah leaned close. She smelled like a sunny day. Clean, bright. Lyle had to force himself not to close his eyes and inhale. She pulled his thoughts back to the cactus when she said, “I don’t think that got there naturally. I think it was planted by someone.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” He gestured toward the herd of horses grazing in the lane. “Someone let them out, and if I hadn’t caught them in time, one or more could have been killed on the road.”
Her blue eyes widened, then narrowed. “Someone did that? Who? And why?”
“I can’t prove it, but Bailey fired a guy named Rocky Rhodes—” he ignored her slight smile “—and my guess is he’s taking revenge.”
“On innocent animals?” Sarah looked mad enough to spit. Lyle’s anger matched hers. “Yeah, and apparently me.”
She reached for her cell phone. “Call the cops.”
“And tell them what? An ex-con believes his employer is in danger from a disgruntled ex-employee? You think they’d be inclined to help?”
“I guess not.” She slowly lowered the phone. “But we can’t let someone hurt horses. Or you.”
The concern in her deep blue eyes touched him. “Thanks, but I’m on high alert. It won’t happen again.” He re-saddled the gelding. “Would you like to help me round up these guys?”
“Love to.” The smile she shot him sent his pulse into the stratosphere.
“Let’s get Chase caught then. He’s in the corral behind the barn.”
In a few minutes they had the buckskin saddled—after a thorough check of his tack. Just to be safe, Lyle held the horse’s bridle as Sarah mounted, but the gelding stood like the well broke horse he was.
She nodded. “I’m good.”
Lyle let go and mounted Topsy. This time, the horse acted sensible instead of trying out for the NFR. With a tap of his heels, Lyle asked the gelding to move forward and he went willingly.
Together, Lyle and Sarah had the horses rounded up in no time. They worked together like a pair that had been together forever .
Lyle closed the gate behind the runaways and turned toward Sarah. “Would you like to go for a short ride?”
Her face lit up. “I’d love to.” A shadow crossed her features. “Do you have time? And will things be safe
around here if you leave?”
“Yes, I have time and we won’t go far.” He pointed to a rise behind the house. “There’s a good view from there if Rocky should happen to come around. But I don’t think he’ll try anything in daylight.”
“The creep.”
“Yup.” Lyle swung aboard Topsy and turned him toward the ridge. When Sarah moved Chase beside him, accidently bumping his stirrup with hers, he smiled. He could get used to living like this.
They zig-zagged up the cedar and juniper covered hillside, topping out on a long, flat mesa. Reining back the way they’d come they surveyed the valley below. Below sat Bailey’s ranch with the house, outbuildings and surrounding pastures. Further, there were two similar setups and in the far distance, Sheep Springs looked like a toy village.
“This is nice,” Sarah said.
“Very.” Lyle glanced at her and their gazes locked. Her full, slightly parted lips pulled at him like a trout on a line. Leaning slightly out of his saddle, he cupped the back of her neck and pulled her toward him. She met him halfway, their mouths colliding. Although he had intended to just brush his lips over her, his tongue had other ideas—plunging into her mouth.
Their lips and tongues meshed together as if they were practiced lovers, not virtual strangers.
A little moan slipped out of Sarah, sending his blood racing south. Lyle shifted in his saddle, the seam of his jeans getting uncomfortably tight.
Topsy, apparently believing Lyle wanted him to step away from the other horse, moved sideways, breaking the kiss.
Sarah stared at him wide-eyed. “Wow.” “Yeah?”
“You sure can kiss for a guy who’s been locked up for ten years,” she said.
He chuckled. “I wasn’t practicing on the guys on the inside if you’re worried about it. Didn’t have sex with anyone in there, either.”
“I’m not worried about that.” She studied his face. “And, yeah, ten years is a long time to go without a kiss. Maybe you’d like another?”
“There’s nothing I’d like better—” he made a sweeping motion past his crotch “—but if I kiss you again I won’t be able to ride home.” At her flush, he added, “And I don’t want to screw in the bushes like a jackrabbit.”
“Why not?” She turned her head and watched some colts playing in the field below. “Apparently a quickie on my couch last night would have been okay. What’s the difference other than a little comfort for my back?”
He ground his teeth in frustration. “I’m trying to protect you. Do you want to be with an ex-con who doesn’t have two cents to rub together?”
“Shouldn’t that be up to me?” When she looked at him her blue eyes flashed fire. “I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”
He stepped off the horse. Sitting pain free was no longer an option. “I’m not offering marriage, Sarah. I’ve been there and don’t want to be tangled up in that rope again.”
She snorted. “Who says I do?”
“You pushed me away last night because I’m not a keeper,” he reminded her.
“There’s a difference between a get down and dirty lay and seeing someone,” she countered. “I’m not asking for a ring, but I don’t want to be the girl you spend a few minutes with on a couch because you’ve been without a woman for ten years. I’m not into hookups.”
“Trust me, if we ever get together it’ll take more than a few minutes,” he said. “And if I wanted a simple fuck, I could have one.” He surprised himself. Bailey had made it clear she was offering if all he wanted was a casual affair. To his amazement, a no-strings screw didn’t sound good. All those years in the pen he’d fantasized about nothing more, and now that he could have just that, he didn’t care for it.
He wanted Sarah.
His aching cock told him so.
More importantly, so did his heart.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sarah had managed to get her hand on the dun mare’s neck when a truck and trailer pulled into the barnyard.
Lyle jumped down from the fence where he’d been perched, watching. “There’s Bailey. I need to help her.”
“I’ll come along.” Sarah glanced at the uneasy horse. “She’s had enough for one day.” The mare had stampeded around the round pen for a half hour before she’d settled down enough for Sarah to even approach. Placing a hand on her was a victory.
Together, they walked toward Bailey who had backed the rig into the gate entering the corral. She hopped out and waved before moving to the tailgate. She swung it open and the horses inside jumped out.
Lyle grabbed a bale of hay and tossed it over the fence.
When he went for another, Sarah joined him. “How many?” “Five.”
She nodded and grabbed one of the bales. As she carried it toward the fence, Bailey met her. “Hello again.”
“Hi.” Sarah stopped and set down the heavy bale. “How was the rodeo?”
“Good.” Bailey glanced at Lyle who had joined them. “How were things here? Any problems?”
“I think Rocky turned your bucking stock out and ran them toward the highway this morning,” Lyle told her.
Bailey’s face whitened as her lips pinched in a tight line. “Any of them get hurt?”
“No. I caught them before they got to the road.” He tipped his head in Sarah’s direction. “Sarah helped me round them up.”
“Thank you.” Bailey turned her full attention to Lyle. “Did you see Rocky? Or, are you just guessing he’s the culprit?”
“I didn’t, but I saw big boot tracks in the dirt leaving the gate.”
“Shit.” Bailey’s mouth tightened. “I better not catch him around here, or there’ll be hell to pay.”
“My thoughts, too,” Lyle said. “If I see him—” “You’ll leave him to me,” Bailey said.
“That doesn’t make me much of a man, does it?”
“It makes you a man who stays out of prison,” Bailey said.
Sarah listened without comment. They sounded like a long-term couple. Not for the first time, she wondered how friendly they were. Lyle wouldn’t lead her on while he secretly desired the blonde, would he?
She shook off the thought. Lyle wasn’t Brandon. Still, her stomach tightened watching their camaraderie.
“I’ll park the rig,” Lyle said.
After Bailey closed the corral gate behind him, she wiped her hands on the seat of her jeans. “Stubborn, prideful man.”
“Have you known him for a long time?” Sarah fought to keep jealousy out of her voice.
Bailey twisted the turquoise bracelet on her left wrist. “Since we both followed the high school rodeo circuit. I used to barrel race, but I was always more interested in what was going on behind the chutes than chasing cans. My dad was a contractor and I helped him, eventually taking over and leaving barrel racing behind. Lyle rode broncs and we hit it off, became friends.”
“Just friends?” Sarah hated the jealousy in her voice.
“We’re just friends now,” Bailey said.
Sarah’s stomach plummeted. So, they had been lovers. “I see.”
“Don’t get your Jockeys in a twist. We’re better friends than lovers. Besides, he’s into you, not me.” She sighed. “Story of my life. Last time it was Marla who captured his heart. We all tried to tell him she was poison, but a man thinking with his dick isn’t thinking clearly.”
“Lyle’s wife?”
“Ex-wife.”
“What was she like?”
Bailey frowned. “A bitch.” “Who’s a bitch?”
Sarah spun around. Lyle had slipped up on them, unnoticed. “Um—”
“Marla,” Bailey said. “Who else?”
A shadow crossed his face. “What are you bringing her up for?”
Bailey shrugged. “I was telling Sarah here that I like her.
Marla, not so much.”
Heat flooded Sarah’s face. He must think her a gossip and a sneak to go behind his back for information about his ex. “I didn’t mean to pry—”
“It’s all a matter of public record,” he said stiffly. “You can look it up if you’re curious.” He lifted the bale Sarah had sat down and carried it to the corral.
Sarah gave Bailey a helpless look.
“Go talk to him,” the other woman urged. “Ask him what you want to know. Not me.”
“Okay.” Sarah swiped her sticky hands on her jeans and walked to the fence. Lyle moved around, spreading the hay around for the jostling horses. He either knew she was there, and was ignoring her, or he was blind. She’d bet on the former.
Finally, he approached her and hung his hands through the fence. “That’ll do.”
She fought for something to break the ice. “They’re so calm that it’s hard to believe they’re bucking horses.”
“Appearances can be deceiving.” He sounded cold as a January blizzard.
“Lyle—” Sarah lifted her hand, dropped it.
“Look,” he said, “I just want to put the past behind me. I don’t want to hash it out. It’s done and over. Either take me as I am, or walk away. The choice is yours. But leave my history alone. Understand?”
“Okay.” Sarah turned away. “Thanks for letting me mess with the mare. I should get to work.”
She thought she heard Lyle call her name as she walked away, but maybe the tears in her eyes affected her hearing.
Somehow, she made it to her truck without stumbling. With her head held high, she turned on the ignition and drove out of Bailey’s driveway. Only when she was out of sight of the ranch did she let her tears flow. Crying either from embarrassment or anger she didn’t know. Maybe both.
Anger at herself for gossiping with Bailey. Embarrassment that Lyle had caught them. He probably thought her a real jerk talking behind his back like that. He wasn’t wrong. If she wanted to know about his ex-wife, she should’ve asked him herself.
She would…if she got a second chance.
~*~
Bailey folded her arms over her chest. “That went well.”
Lyle shouldered past her to place his saddle in the tackroom. “What did you say to Sarah?”
