by Em Petrova
He lifted his head from his task. With her head bowed, he wasn’t able to make out her face. What would she say to his idea?
When a tune he knew came on, he started singing low at first. Then he grew louder as he worked. She stopped polishing to stare at him, a big grin on her face.
He fired off the quick succession of lyrics in the same country twang he already called his own.
Liberty’s eyes sparkled.
He stopped singing. “What?”
“You…”
“Can’t carry a tune in a bucket either?”
They shared a smile. After she returned to her work, her smile remained on her face, growing as she rubbed the leather in small circles. And damn if he could stop looking at her wearing that sweet expression.
They each finished a saddle and grabbed another. When she faltered in hefting the saddle over the sawhorse, he said, “Want a hand?”
“I got it,” she said.
They continued on in companionable silence, listening to the music. He caught himself glancing at her waist, wondering what she’d do if he grabbed her up and two-stepped her around the yard.
He was really losing his mind, wasn’t he?
Once they finished afternoon chores, he waved toward the freshly polished saddles. “Wanna take a ride?”
Surprise registered on her face, and she looked up at him. “Sure.”
They selected their mounts and saddled up. She followed his lead out across the field. He’d seen her ride a bit while checking the cattle, but they hadn’t really done much exploring.
He pointed toward the corner. “See that tallest tree?”
She shielded her eyes with a hand, which brought her breasts jutting forward. Her top hugged her full curves. Damn, he never wanted to be a piece of fabric so much—or to peel it off someone.
“I see it,” she said.
“That’s the boundary of this land. The Windswept takes over from there.”
She shifted her attention to him, and he saw the sad light lingering in the recesses of her eyes.
He shouldn’t have brought up the ranch she’d lost. How to make her smile again?
“Race ya to it.”
She blinked. “What’s the bet?”
He grinned. “You do the next load o’ dishes, even if they’re mine.”
“You’re on.”
“Sidle up next to me here. That’s it—we gotta even the score.”
“Doesn’t matter—I’ll win.”
He’d never heard her cocky form of sass before, and it made him laugh. Chuckling, he said, “All right, Mizz Baker. Show me your stuff. On three. Two. One.”
They shot forward at the same moment. Exhilaration hit, and he let out a whoop. Liberty dug her thighs into the horse and sent it rocketing ahead of him, her own cry of elation catching on the wind and projected to him.
He watched her round ass bounce in the saddle for three full gallops before he realized he was about to do a load of dishes.
“Yah!” He set his heels into his horse’s flanks, and it reacted instantly, edging up neck and neck with Liberty’s.
“C’mon, Doodles! Faster!” she cried out.
He was going to beat her and kick back watching her wash the dishes for his reward. He was—
Wait—what?
“Did you call that horse Doodles?” He fell behind, and somehow she gained more ground, putting half the length of a horse between them.
Her laughter whipped up in the air, sweeping over him and leaving him feeling as though she’d just gripped him by the shirt front again.
Head down, he closed the gap. Up ahead, the tree loomed closer and closer. His eyes were on the prize.
No, they were on Liberty’s lush backside bouncing in that saddle. What he wouldn’t give to have her bouncing in his saddle, right over his cock.
While he was distracted, she pulled ahead. Almost lying flat on her mount like a jockey, she took off hell-bent for the goal.
Her cheer reached him long before he grew aware of his loss. Liberty wheeled her horse around, a huge smile plastered on her face, happiness dancing in her eyes and her pretty cheeks flushed.
His chest tightened. Hell. What he wouldn’t give to trot over to her, pull her down into his arms and kiss her breathless lips.
That was more than his dick talkin’ too, which worried him even more.
He felt the scowl dipping his brows together as he rode up. She took one look at his face, and her expression fell.
“Guess I’m doin’ the dishes,” he muttered.
“You asked for it, Bellamy.” She didn’t address him by his name often, and he didn’t really want to hear his last name from her.
“You won fair and square.” He stared at her mouth hard.
She drew her lower lip between her teeth and compressed it.
Christ, he had to get out of here before he made a huge mistake. He didn’t want a wife, and a woman Liberty’s age and status wouldn’t be looking for less. Older, divorced, without kids? She would be in the market for a family. His life was this ranch, and now the land his ancestors had worked too.
Turning his horse, he threw Liberty a glance. “See ya at the house.”
“Yeah,” she said faintly. “See ya.”
As he galloped off, he considered the sunny side of this situation—at least he made up his mind about whether or not to take her with him to see that horse. Spending any more time with Liberty would only build his attraction for her—and he was already too dangerously close to making a fatal error.
* * * * *
Damned stubborn ass. A bad loser too.
Liberty methodically stripped off her top, folded it and draped it over the end of the bed. She did the same with her jeans. Next came her bra. Finally, she tugged her favorite big nightshirt over her head.
A line of buttons ran from the collar to the hem, like a man’s shirt. Some of the buttons didn’t stay closed, but the soft cotton against her skin always felt like hugging an old friend. Right now she could use a warm friend.
After the debacle of the impromptu race—and then Aidan standing at the sink long after the time he normally slipped off to bed—she felt his cold shoulder like a stiff Nor’easter.
Maybe her horse was faster. Maybe she won because she was lighter in the saddle.
Maybe it doesn’t damn well matter who won—he’s acting like a sulky ass.
She switched on her bedside light, creating a cozy glow in her room. She’d come to love when she got to slide between cool sheets and read for a spell before falling asleep. These small pleasures had been huge contributing factors to that peace she felt, and she enjoyed every minute.
She walked to her bedroom door and opened it a crack. Since bumping into Aidan several times they both headed to the bathroom, she started doing a lookout first.
Her gaze swept the empty hall. Since the coast was clear, she hurried into the bathroom and shut the door. She didn’t want to meet up with his broody expression, and she definitely did not want to see that naked chest of his. It was far too muscular—like a lion’s or a panther’s. The roll to his shoulders when he moved was almost predatory too.
After she washed her face and brushed her teeth, she bolted toward her room.
She didn’t take a single step before his door opened opposite the bathroom, and she came face-to-chest with him.
Why had she never noticed the dark, springy hairs spattered over his pecs? Or those washboard abs that kept on going down to meet a furred love trail leading to—
She clamped off that thought and jerked her head up to meet his stare. He wasn’t looking at her face. Her stomach dipped lower—he was staring at the place where her nightshirt barely concealed the tops of her thighs. One shift of her body and he’d see much more.
He lifted his gaze a tick, latching it onto the center of her body. Before glancing down, she knew that pesky button had popped open again. Lord knew what the man was seeing.
“Uh—excuse me.” She rushed to
ward her room, but he stopped her when she reached the door.
“Liberty.” His throat sounded dry. Parched, in fact—as parched as hers felt inside, cracked and aching for a single drop of…well, anything to quench this thirst.
Back still to him, she craned her neck to look at him.
“I’ve got some business away from the ranch tomorrow. I’ll be home in early afternoon, I hope. The chores are yours.”
“I got it.” Her own voice sounded husky, and no wonder with all the butterflies whipping up in her throat.
“You got it.” He huffed a low laugh that had her turning.
“I do,” she insisted.
“You say that a lot.”
“That’s because it’s true.”
He watched her closely as if seeing the cracks in her armor, the same ones that she’d worked hard to shore up after years of a bad relationship followed by an even worse divorce.
He took a step toward her. This time, she didn’t back up as she had in the kitchen. She didn’t even attempt to cover that button gaping open or the swirl of fabric too close to her crotch.
Shirtless, barefooted and hair rumpled, Aidan Bellamy was more than a gorgeous specimen of a man. He was lust on legs. A tip of his hat would shred a woman’s panties off her body and make her ovaries explode in the same heartbeat.
He lifted a hand. For a dizzying moment, she thought he might touch her. Skim those callused fingers down her cheek or brace his hand on her doorjamb to lean in and kiss her.
You’re being ridiculous. Aidan doesn’t…
His eyes burned like blue embers. Maybe he did.
Did what?
Want something.
She quickly wet her lips, and he tracked the movement.
“Who…” He broke off.
“Who what?” she whispered, pulse racing now.
“Who told you that you can’t do all the things you wanna do? Who hurt you?”
Instead of cracking apart as she had every other moment somebody—her therapist actually—asked that question, Liberty straightened her shoulders, her hem length be damned. She didn’t give a hot damn if he saw her purple cotton panties with the horses galloping across the band.
“Nobody tells me I can’t. Not anymore.” She slipped into her room. “Goodnight, Aidan.”
As soon as she closed the door, she leaned against the wood slab, heart racing, purple panties wet and her nipples hard—all for her boss.
He rapped on her door, making her jump.
“And Liberty?”
“Yes?”
“No more callin’ my horse Doodles.”
She shoved her fist into her open mouth to stifle her laugh.
Chapter Five
Aidan parked his truck and trailer in the gravel in front of the sprawling ranch house. When he climbed out, a yellow lab with a blocky head approached with tail wagging.
“Hey, boy.” Aidan extended a hand for him to smell before rubbing his head. “Some guard dog you make. Where’s your master, huh?”
As he straightened, he caught sight of Matt Beckett crossing the yard, a smile on his face.
“Bellamy,” he called out, reaching to shake his hand long before his body came into proximity. “Damn good to see ya, man.”
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Aidan gripped the man’s hand, returning his smile.
“Where’s that cousin o’ yours?” He looked around the truck.
“I came alone.” He shouldn’t have, though. He’d spent the long drive with his head jam-packed with images, visions, fantasies and blatant desires—all for Liberty. If he’d brought her, at least he could have given his imagination a rest.
Matt rubbed the ears of the lab leaning into his thigh. “You met Toby, I see.”
“Not much for barking at strangers.” Aidan looked to the dog, who pressed his head into his owner’s touch.
“He’s a good dog. I s’pose you want to see a horse.”
Aidan dipped his head in a nod. “I came prepared.” He waved toward the trailer.
“This way.” Matt started across the yard again, dog trotting at his side. “How’s your summer?”
“Eventful.”
“Oh?”
“Drought has me supplementing feeds, and I had more than one sick cow.”
“Damn. The horses?”
“They’re holding their own. I just acquired the property that adjoins mine too.”
“Did you? That means you’ve got a nice spread.”
“House and buildings aren’t in very good repair. I’ve been gunning for the land for a while now, though.”
“Pasture?”
“Lots of it. I’ve got a woman working with me, and I hope to have the fence erected in a couple weeks so we can move the herd.”
“A woman?” Matt slowed his pace at the news.
Why had he brought her up? He could have easily avoided the topic. But fact was, he liked talking about her—a clear sign of insanity.
“I thought you’d never hire somebody over there, Aidan,” Matt said.
“The time seemed right, with me having more property to manage. And she’s handy to have around, doing chores while I’m away.”
“Good point.” If his old friend had any suspicions that he might have an alternative reason for hiring Liberty, he didn’t say.
Not that Aidan did have another reason. She was a damn good worker, and he was glad to have her on board.
The horse barn was state of the art designed in sleek white metal with solar panels on the roof that provided lights at all hours of the day if needed as well as kept the waterers going. Whenever Aidan visited this place, he always felt his own spread lacked a bit of the big business feel.
Comparing ranches was something all ranchers did. The Bellamy was enormous, old school and flourishing for generations, while Matt’s boasted new technology and ways of thinking. Aidan’s own ranch rode the line between both worlds, he supposed. While he liked modern conveniences and equipment, he did love the older methods he was taught as a kid at his Uncle Cort’s side.
With the addition of the Windswept, he hoped to expand more and make the improvements that would help him build his empire.
As they bypassed the barn, Matt led him to a sturdy white fence enclosing half a dozen of his prime horses. Aidan leaned his elbows on the top rail and blew out a whistle. “Man, you outdid yourself with these beauties. I’d best get my checkbook warmed up ahead of time.”
Matt chuckled. “I’m pretty proud of these. They come from strong stock and will make a nice addition to your Quarter Horses.”
“I can see that. Can we go in?”
“Sure thing. C’mon.” Matt led the way.
As Aidan inspected the horses, he regretted not bringing Liberty. She really would have enjoyed the display of good breeding before him. While he listened to his friend discuss the high points of each horse, Aidan took a lot of time checking over each. He rode a couple to try to make his decision easier.
Tugging one side of his hat, he stared at the pair he had trouble deciding between.
“You can always flip a coin. Or take both.” Matt’s voice sounded with amusement.
“I might have to.” He grinned, watching one toss her head with more spirit than the other.
It reminded him of Liberty when she raced him, wild and full of life.
He thrust out a finger. “That one.”
Matt eyed him. “You certain?”
“You implyin’ I shouldn’t trust my judgment?”
He laughed. “I’m just givin’ ya a hard time. She’s the perfect addition to your herd. Maybe I’ll buy one of her babies off you.”
“You know where to come find me.” Aidan held out his hand, and they shook on the deal. Then they went into the house to fill out the paperwork. Minutes later, Aidan backed his truck up to the pasture, and Matt helped him load the horse inside.
Before he slid behind the wheel to drive the new horse home, he and Matt talked about his uncle and cousin
s a bit.
“Both my cousins found good women. Kaoz got hitched about a month ago.”
Matt’s brows shot up. “Damn, is that right? I guess everyone expected it from Kaoz after he found that woman a while back.”
“We’re all happy for them both.” He meant it. And before now, not once had experienced so much as a twinge that life went on for others while he remained in a stagnant place. He was a bachelor—he lived life as he saw fit and not once had he missed out on the trappings of having someone to answer to.
So why did a worm of unease edge into his psyche, leaving him feeling as if something wasn’t right?
Everything’s fine. I got my horse. Time to get on home and get her settled.
And see Liberty’s face light up when she sees her.
Dammit.
He didn’t give in to the urge to rub his face. Instead, he offered Matt his hand again. “Thanks for everything. I’d best get on down the road.”
Once Aidan hit the road to his ranch, he threw a look at the empty passenger seat. Right about now, he thought Liberty might be talking excitedly about the horse, gushing over its poise and training and what a perfect addition she’d be to his spread. Then she’d name it something ridiculous like Baby Cakes or Honey Bun or Toodle Doo.
Shaking his head at the rampant thoughts piling upon each other like sticks of firewood laid upon a fire, he pointed the truck toward home and settled in for more miles where he felt Liberty’s presence whether she sat at his side or not.
* * * * *
If Aidan Bellamy was lax in his skills around the house, he kept his hot tub in pristine condition.
Liberty stood at the side wearing nothing but a spritz of perfume and her own freckles, chewing her lip with indecision. The bubbles enticed her toward the edge, and she dipped a toe into the hot water.
It would feel so good on her sore muscles. She might be fit, but after no break in manual labor, she could go for a good soak. Aidan hadn’t told her she could use his hot tub, but he didn’t tell her she couldn’t either.
She had no idea when to expect him home, but she wouldn’t stay in the water very long anyway—only long enough to soothe the tightness across her lower back.
With her towel on the edge so she could easily grab it, she placed one foot on the step down. As bubbles massaged her ankles, calves and her upper legs, she might have let out a moan. When she sank down all the way under the water to her neck, she knew she let out a moan.
