I rubbed my cheek.
“I said you could kiss me, not paw me like an animal!”
“My apologies, ma’am.”
I wasn’t mad though. I had my answer. Not only was Miss Riley-Ann wildly attracted to me, she was as untouched as the virgin snow. In fact, I was almost certain she was a virgin. I grinned to myself as I watched her cheeks get red. I aimed to be the first and the last to settle between those thighs. Now that was a prize worth fighting for.
She turned in her seat, sitting stiff and cold again.
“Take me home.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
7
Riley-Ann
My body wouldn’t stop tingling. He was long gone now, leaving me at the front door of the ranch hand’s cabin I was staying at on Kate and James’ ranch. Thank goodness I still had some willpower left in me and sent him on his way. That in itself was a miracle. Had I known his intention was to give me a ride home on his horse, I probably would’ve found another way back to my place. I’d been hungover before he helped me onto his horse, but when he’d climbed into position behind me, I was wide awake. My heart wouldn’t stop pounding, and other places refused to let me ignore that I was a hot-blooded woman with needs that had never been met before.
He’d kissed me and my body went up in flames.
That kiss was… unbelievable.
Soft and warm. Bold yet smooth. And so full of giddying lust.
But then again, who wouldn’t be giddy being kissed on horseback?
And his hands on my body. God, that was hot. He’d squeezed a handful of my butt, the sexy presumptuous bastard. But hell, it did things to me. Things I didn’t want to stop feeling. It was a shame this entire morning hadn’t played out at another time. Like a week from now. Or after I willingly went out on a casual date with him. But this? Now? It was all way too soon.
What I needed to do now was hydrate with lots of fluids, take a shower, crawl into bed, sleep for a few more hours, and hopefully, after waking up, it’d be behind me.
Hours later, after doing all of that, nothing had changed.
I still craved him.
He screwed up my plan for today too. The whole reason I’d taken him home was because he’d offered to loan me his car after dropping his drunk ass home. Instead, he brought me here on his horse, and I’d forgotten all about finding my way back to my goddamned car.
As it stood, my car was parked at the bar, still broken down. That part wasn’t his fault, but my being stranded at home now was partly his doing. I could’ve had Kate pick me up. Maybe James or one of the ranch hands could’ve checked it out or fixed it by now.
Instead I’d be forced to either use my old bicycle, or walk for miles.
I stepped over to the small kitchenette beside the front door of the cabin. Coffee. That’s what I needed to clear my head and push through this headache. My phone buzzed with a text as I stood in front of my single-serve coffee maker.
A quick look at the phone in the pocket of my robe reminded me that I had more to worry about than this cocky billionaire cowboy who’d sent my world in a tailspin the second he sat down at the bar.
The text message was from Kate.
Kate: Morning, sunshine. Feel like a late lunch in about an hour? I’m in town meeting with my banker.
Turning on the coffee machine, I leaned against the counter, debating whether I had enough time for a meal after cycling into town. My reply was just as uncertain.
Me: G’morning. Not sure I’ll make it. My crap car broke down at the bar. What do you think? Bicycle or running shoes?
Kate: So sorry to hear. How about neither? I can pick you up after my meeting.
Me: I don’t mind cycling in. The fresh air will do me good.
Kate: Are you sure? Actually, give me a minute.
She wasn’t kidding about needing a minute either. My phone rang again just as I’d picked up my hot mug of freshly made brew and settled into a chair at the small wooden two-person table beside the kitchenette.
It was a phone call this time.
“Hello, sunshine,” I answered.
“Hey, chiquita,” Kate chirped, sounding bubbly and on top of the world.
“Did you have your meeting already?”
“No,” she replied. “I’ll be heading in any minute now.”
“Sounds like you just got good news.”
“That was James who just called. He said—”
“Gawd, I need one of us to have something good to report,” I droned, hating my whiny tone as I cut her off. I was a playful drunk but grumpy as ever when hungover.
“That’s why I called, girlie. Have you left your cabin yet?”
“No, why?”
“Go look out your window, will you? James said someone dropped it off for you about twenty minutes ago. Oh, sorry I have to go now. My banker’s ready for me. Call me later, chica!”
Hanging up, I took a quick sip of my dark roast and went to open the front door to see what Kate was talking about.
Well, lookie here.
A cherry-red Porsche convertible sat in the gravel front driveway.
That thing screamed of Caleb.
I slid my feet into some flip flops beside the door and went to check it out. Hanging on the driver side door was a small pouch. I anxiously looked inside and found the car keys, a folded sheet of note paper, and a remote like the one that had opened Caleb’s front gate.
Like I’d ever have dared go back to his place.
Ignoring it, I scooped out the note, and read it. The note said:
Howdy Miss Riley-Ann,
It was mighty thoughtful of you to see that I got home safe last night.
Pardon my poor memory. It was only after I rode back home this morning that I realized I left you without the means to make it back to your car. Hopefully this vehicle will do the trick. Keep it for as long as you need it.
Sincerely,
Caleb
Cell: 456-555-5555
PS. Riding you home was an absolute pleasure. Kissing you, well that was indescribable. Let’s do it again real soon.
I read it again, unable to breathe as his message sank in. The contents weren’t all that impressive, really. It was the part about our kiss that caught me hard. My body shivered at the thought of his mouth on mine again. I pressed my thighs together, squeezing them tightly to dull the ache caused by the image of Caleb and me, his strong arms enveloping me, the maleness of his firm body against my soft curves, his musky, masculine scent taking me over. I swallowed thickly to get over my reaction.
Heading inside, I threw on a cotton t-shirt and a pair of faded jeans. Grabbing my purse and keys, I left in his Porsche to tackle the broken down car problem.
As great as it felt to drive in a reliable luxury sports car with plush leather seats and all the bell and whistles, I was only going to borrow it today. I planned to track down a local mechanic today to fix my car, but that was it. I was not about to accept favors from this man. I couldn’t afford to owe him, or to have yet another reason to see him again.
Not with the way he left me breathless and giddy and completely out of control.
I needed to stay the hell away from Caleb Reeves.
* * *
I arrived at my shift at the bar, exhausted and stressed.
Fixing my car was off the table. According to the mechanic, the entire engine block needed to be replaced. Duct tape and motor oil weren’t going to be enough this time. Kate was able to get one of her ranch hands to tow the car off the lot at the bar, but I’d resigned myself to the new reality. A car was a luxury I could no longer afford. Resolving to put the extra cash I had left into a bicycle tune-up, I tied on my barkeep apron and got to work. This bar wouldn’t open itself.
As I began to set up, the door chime of the front entrance went off.
“Hey, Danny. You’re early,” I said without looking up from the bar as I wiped down the countertop with a soapy cloth.
“It’s me, beautiful,” drawle
d the deep, cocky voice that was becoming way too familiar.
Only my eyes looked up. I flashed him a glance then returned my gaze to what I was doing. “Oh. It’s you. We’re not open. Come back in an hour,” I told him flatly.
He strode in anyway, the floorboards at the entrance creaking under the weight of his tan Lucchese cowboy boots. “I think I’ll wait. Danny’s used to having me around.”
I rolled my eyes. “Suit yourself.” As he was here anyway, I went over to my purse under the back counter and grabbed his car keys and house gate remote. “Thanks for helping me out with the car today,” I said, handing him the items.
“You’re done with it already?”
I nodded. “I’m good,” I answered plainly. I didn’t owe him any further explanation.
“Sounds good.” He took a seat at the table closest to the bar. I could feel his eyes blazing a trail down my body the entire time. I just wished ignoring him could come more easily.
“What kind of work did you do before you started here?” he asked out of the blue.
A quick glance at him, and I was sure he wasn’t asking because of his curiosity, but to drum up a conversation.
“Secretary.” I heard the bluntness in my answer and smiled inwardly. The less we had in common, the better.
“That’s not the easiest of careers,” he mused. “I have a lot of respect for anyone who can make a living of supporting others. Why did you leave?”
“The law firm closed down.”
“Interesting,” he muttered, running a thumb down his sharp jawline thoughtfully. “Did you happen to have your sights set on any other aspect of that firm’s business?”
“Tell me something, Caleb. Are you asking because you want to know? Or is this some kind of game, one where you get in my pants by wearing me down with expensive cars parked in my driveway, and making small talk at my place of work, which I can’t leave, just so you know. Because I’m at work. So what is it?”
The way I saw it, he knew full well there was strong chemistry between us, and he was lingering around so I wouldn’t forget about it. But just because he was irresistible didn’t mean I had to fall into his arms again, or let him have his way with me.
I had no room in my life for a man. My priorities at the moment were to get back on my feet, figure out what I’d do next, and save every penny to prepare for the next chapter of my life. A rich, opinionated, cocky cowboy oozing with sex appeal wouldn’t fit in the equation. Not a chance.
But I could tell from the frown on his face and the lines that formed on his forehead that he wasn’t impressed with my question. Not that I cared about offending him.
“You’ve got one hell of a chip on your shoulder for your age,” he said lightly, and that smirk rose on his face again. “What are you, twenty years old?”
“It’s not polite to ask a woman her age,” I barked. “And I don’t have a chip on my shoulder. I just don’t want to send you the wrong message.”
“And what message is that?”
My cheeks burned as my eyes traveled up his face and locked with his. “That you have a chance in hell.”
8
Caleb
I smiled at the tempestuous beauty leaning over the bar across from me. Her eyes were blazing, her cheeks were hot pink and her cherry red lips were still luscious, even pressed together the way they were now.
“You’re real beautiful…” I drawled, making her eyes narrow. “Especially when you’re lying.”
She gasped and stormed off, leaving me sitting high and dry in the empty bar. I grinned and reached behind the bar for a mug. I drew myself a cold one and sat back to wait.
The truth was, I had not planned on coming here today. I’d been telling myself I would stay away for a few days since I dropped her off that morning. I would let her cool down and plan my attack.
But I just couldn’t stay away from the woman.
I was whistling and checking the stock market on my phone when she came back, pushing a mop and bucket. She glared at me, then looked pointedly at the beer and the bag of nuts I’d helped myself to.
“You’ve made yourself at home.”
I smiled and lifted my beer.
“Bout time for a refill.”
“You’ll be paying for those, of course.”
“Naturally, sweetheart.”
She glared at me and dunked the mop in the bucket. Then she started swishing it around on the floor with a vengeance.
“Doesn’t the barback do that?”
“Only on weekends.”
I clucked my tongue and wandered over to the jukebox. She might think she was giving me the cold shoulder, but I was enjoying the way her body moved when she worked that mop. Might as well have some music to go with the show she was putting on.
The truth was, I knew that physical labor went easier with music. And I hoped it might cool her down.
“You like rock? Country? Classic?”
She glanced over her shoulder at me. The heat had leaked out of her. The truth was, she looked defeated.
“Surprise me.”
I titled my head in agreement and turned back to the jukebox. My smile widened when I saw the perfect thing. I punched in the numbers and sauntered back to my barstool as The Georgia Satellites’ Keep Your Hands to Yourself came on.
She gave me a look.
“Eighties music? That’s your thing?”
I raised my eyebrow.
“I like some of it. I have a… wide range of interests.”
She snorted, but I could see her blush was back.
“I’m sure you do.”
“Don’t you like it?”
She gave me a sheepish look.
“I actually love this song. My mom used to play it.”
I watched her, wondering if she was getting my message. The song was about a girl who wouldn’t mess around with a guy unless he put a ring on it. The crazy thing was, I was not opposed to that idea. For once in my life, I wasn’t thinking about an exit plan when I got involved with a woman.
Oh yes, I could see things going very far with little Miss Riley-Ann.
Thankfully Danny chose that moment to walk into the bar and stop me from getting way ahead of myself. She slapped me on the back as she passed by and I nearly choked on my beer. The woman was stronger than she looked. I caught Riley hiding a giggle and pretended to be offended. She shook her head at me, but I could tell that I was scoring points.
She wasn’t as pissy with me when she came back behind the bar a few minutes later. Danny came out of the back with her bank deposit bag and tossed it on the table.
“You have any coffee up?”
Riley nodded and poured her boss a cup, sliding a creamer and three sugars across the dark wood bar. She was a good employee, that was obvious. I swallowed another sip of beer, wondering what else she was good at.
Everything, from what I could tell so far.
“I have a bone to pick with you.”
I raised my eyebrows, staring at the wily lady next to me. She was after something, that much was clear.
“You come back here, say you want to be part of the community.”
“I do.”
“Well, then. Make yourself useful. There’s a big charity event we’re holding and I want you to help out with it.” The salty lady gave Riley a hard glare. “You too, Miss.”
“Anything you need, Danny.”
I nodded too. Maybe this would score me some alone time with the object of my affection. And help out the community, of course.
“You want my checkbook or my business acumen?”
Danny smiled at me, looking like a pirate. I could have sworn I saw a glint of gold in her teeth.
“Both.”
9
Riley-Ann
It was a blessing and a curse.
Heaven and hell.
But wasn’t that the way the world worked in general?
That nothing good could ever happen without a little downside? Or vice versa, th
e whole silver lining deal.
It sure applied in this situation, and in several ways.
First, before I met Caleb, before I saw the lust he had for me, I was a walking, talking, unfeeling shell of a woman. The proverbial ice princess, but without the tiara and with no royal bloodline to excuse my coldness.
I knew it wasn’t normal, not being able to feel. So I covered it up. I used to talk a good game, acting as though I was hot for all the jocks in high school, and wild for the bad boys in my community college courses.
The acting paid off too, with dates and invites to the popular parties and frat house keggers, where I could come across as though I’d been normal enough, sufficiently hot-blooded to make out and go further with some of them too. Even though it was all a lie.
I’d even fooled my best friend Kate into thinking she was riding solo when it came to her V-card. I was a card-carrying member too.
I still was.
Because the truth of the matter was I felt nothing.
I couldn’t feel.
Watching the boys did nothing for me.
Spending time going on dates was a bust too.
Going to first, second or third base with the few guys I experimented with was utterly disappointing.
No spark.
No flame.
No heat.
Nothing to write home about.
Certainly there was no incentive to go further. Why give up my V-card just for kicks and no reward in the way of pleasure?
For all this time, I’d thought something was wrong with me. That I was wired wrong. But it turned out that it wasn’t true.
I wasn’t a frigid ice princess.
Not anymore.
Not since I locked eyes with Caleb.
Forget the solitary spark, flame, and heat. A five-alarm fire was raging through my body.
Thanks to him. Or no thanks to him. The jury was still out about whether or not it was a good thing. And Caleb made it all the more challenging. Because he wanted me at least as much as my body yearned for his.
Winning the Virgin: A Western Billionaire Cowboy Romance Page 4
