He found them. Parted. Jackpot.
His tongue explored and danced.
Addictive was the only way to describe her taste. Her kisses. Her.
She moaned. The sexy sound sent his control slipping another notch. But this wasn’t only about kisses. Something deeper was happening here. His heart wanted… more.
Fingers pressed into his jacket. “Zack.”
He wasn’t sure what he was feeling, but he knew he wanted all of Charlie—her body, her heart, and her soul.
Something hit his shoulder. Knocked him back. He landed flat on his ass, gasping for air.
Oh, crap. Arrow. Zack had forgotten about the horse completely.
Charlie.
Adrenaline shot through him. He sprung to his feet, took a step toward her, froze, staring in amazement.
Somehow Charlie had managed to get the lead rope around Arrow’s neck. She shot Zack a concerned glance. “You okay?”
Her voice was barely above a whisper. For Arrow’s sake, so she wouldn’t spook him.
Zack nodded. He’d bruised his ego, nothing else. Charlie was safe, so was the horse. That was all that mattered. “You?”
“Good.”
Arrow’s head went over Charlie’s shoulder and tilted toward her face. The horse looked at Zack as if to say ‘mine, don’t come any closer.’ Not jealous, but that horse was one possessive devil.
All the things that could have gone wrong sent Zack’s stomach churning. He’d forgotten about Arrow. Put them in danger. One or both of them could have been injured. Over a kiss. Talk about stupid.
What about your rule?
The rule doesn’t apply here.
It should. At all times. Tonight was proof.
Yet his lips tingled, ached for more kisses. And his heart yearned for her affection.
“You are such a handsome boy,” Charlie said in a quiet voice, letting the horse take the lead of what kind of attention he wanted from her.
Her patience and nurturing tone touched Zack. The horse was big and powerful, a mass of muscle and strength, uncontrollable and unpredictable, yet she cooed to Arrow with love and tenderness, as if he were a helpless foal, not a dangerous stud.
A ball of heat burned in the center of Zack’s chest, warming him from the inside out. So amazing. Charlie would make a great mom.
Where had that come from? The random thought sent shockwaves through Zack, but that didn’t stop an unexpected image of her holding a baby from forming in his mind.
Not good. Yes, he had feelings for Charlie, more than a coworker caring for another. How could he not? She was skilled and attractive and sexy. Amazing. But he couldn’t go there, not even if his heart wanted to. Off-limits. He had to make these feelings stop.
Forget about marriage, a wife, kids. That was something other people did, people who didn’t come from a past and parents like his.
You’ll never amount to anything.
Loser.
I wish you’d never been born.
His parents’ words erased the appealing image of Charlie. He was so afraid of turning into his mom and dad, or worse, proving what they’d said about him was true that he’d decided not to risk having a family of his own, even if he longed for one. He would make do with the family he’d created with the people in his life, like the one with Charlie and the other wranglers. That would have to be enough.
Arrow nickered. The low, soft sound made the horse seem more like a giant, lovable puppy rather than a total pain in the ass. He rubbed his head against Charlie, totally besotted with the cowgirl.
Zack wouldn’t mind trading places with the horse for a few minutes. He was besotted, too. Only he had to keep that at bay, under wraps because of… his rule.
“That’s my boy.” With a slow, precise movement, she removed a carrot from her jacket pocket—when had she put that in there?—and fed the horse. “Here’s your treat. You know how to be a good boy. I know you do. And there’s more breeding we want to do with you, but not if you keep getting into trouble. Okay, sweetie?”
The horse chewed on the carrot, soaking up Charlie’s attention like the lovesick, testosterone driven teenager he was.
She looked over at Zack. “Nice job with the kissing part.”
No mistaking the humor in her voice or her praise, but he couldn’t pretend the situation could have gone very wrong. “Good teamwork once again, but we got lucky. I forgot about the horse when I was kissing you. Either or both of us could have been hurt. Just proves why getting involved with a coworker is a bad idea.”
“No one got hurt. We’re fine,” Charlie countered. “Be happy we caught Arrow.”
Zack would be happy with more kisses. That only made him angry. “I’m glad we got the horse, but—”
“No buts. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you, Zack,” She smiled. “Thank you.”
Her words made him feel like he could run up Cooper Mountain in bare feet. He didn’t need a mirror to know he’d flipped the switch on his emotions and was grinning like a fool.
Truth was, he wanted to be here to help her. Tonight, tomorrow, whenever she might need him. He wanted to prove he wasn’t like his parents and destined to repeat his family’s past. He wanted her respect. That was all he dared hope for.
So what if Zack thought he was Charlie’s type? Hell, a part—a growing one—wanted to be her guy. But being coworkers wasn’t the only obstacle in the way. The other was harder to swallow, but one he couldn’t forget.
Zack wasn’t capable of giving Charlie Randall the love and the family she wanted. He wouldn’t want to even try because he would only end up hurting her.
And that was the last thing he wanted to do.
*
Inside the Bar V5’s state of the art horse barn, Charlie hung back, leaning against an empty stall door, letting Nate, Ty, and Zack place Arrow into his paddock. Her on-edge nerves threatened to get the best of her, not to mention her still throbbing lips from kissing earlier. Best if she stayed out of the way.
A few feet away, Zack stood by the stall door, waiting for Nate’s signal to slide the panel into place. The worry in Zack’s eyes when Arrow had interrupted their kissing remained front and center in her mind. His reaction had been so immediate, the concern in his voice so real, her insides melted.
His actions were those of a man who cared about her, not as a coworker or friend, but as a woman, a special one in his life. So why wouldn’t he see where this could lead? Sure, he had his rule, and tonight she saw how romantic distractions could get in way. But something else seemed to be holding him back.
She remembered the things he’d said about not wanting a girlfriend now, let alone a wife and family in the future. Not once in the past two and a half years since he arrived had he dated anyone seriously. The “Move On,” “Walk Away Now,” and “Don’t waste any more time” signs flashed brightly. She knew the odds of anything happening between them were slim to none. Still her respect and affection—okay, love—for the man had grown tonight. How was she going to find someone else to date when her heart wanted only him?
Arrow backed out of the stall. Again.
Nate swore. “If you didn’t produce such pretty foals, I would make a gelding out of you.”
“Honey, not vinegar,” Charlie said.
“This horse pisses vinegar. On purpose.” Nate nodded at Zack who slid the stall door into place then had Ty secure three locks. “He’s my pride and joy, but I don’t know what to do. Triple fence and gate his pasture.”
“Talk to Noah,” Zack said, making her think they’d make a horseman out of him yet. “He’s a vet. He might have ideas.”
Ty nodded. “If all else fails, we can send Arrow to a horse ranch. Do some breeding and training. Couldn’t hurt.”
“Something has to be done,” Nate said. “We’ve been lucky each time he’s gotten loose.”
Charlie didn’t have to look Zack’s way to know his gaze was on her. He knew what the horse meant to her, and that they’d
been lucky in the meadow. “None of us want anything to happen to Arrow.”
“I’ll call Noah on Monday,” Nate said. “See what he says before we make any decisions.”
Ty nodded, then looked at Charlie and Zack. “Been a long day. Sleep in tomorrow. Just be at the rodeo grounds before the finals starts.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be ready to go in the morning with the first van,” Charlie said.
Zack stood next to her, as if in solidarity. “Me, too.”
“Non-negotiable,” Nate answered for Ty. “We’ve discussed this. We’re weaning calves this coming week. Not taking chances you get rundown. You can attend the finals, since all you do is sit and watch, but the others will take the guests into Marietta and spend the morning shopping and sightseeing.”
“Fine.” She knew better than to talk back to Nate. She didn’t have the same reservations speaking up to Ty, but he nodded his agreement with his partner. “Looks like Zack and I get a lazy morning in bed.”
Zack winked. “You bringing breakfast? Oh, wait, you don’t cook. Guess it’ll be up to me.”
Ty and Nate laughed.
She bit the inside of her mouth. Her fault for not thinking about what she was going to say, but she blamed Zack for messing with her heart, her brain, and now words. “With that, I’ll say goodnight, un-gentlemen.”
She exited the building and headed toward the old red barn. On her way inside, she touched one of the outer boards. So much history between these four walls.
Overhead lights allowed her to see the cats playing, running, and scratching. The atmosphere comforted her like a handmade quilt wrapped around her shoulders. She loved the amenities the horse barn offered, but this old building was her favorite place at the Bar V5. Here, she’d learned about horses from Nate’s dad, Ralph, and from Ty.
“Charlie, wait.”
Zack. She didn’t know how he was going to act—like a man who cared about her or a coworker giving her a hard time. She wished he would choose one. This back and forth was hard on her heart. She kept getting her hopes up only to have them dashed.
She looked at him. “Want to tease me some more?”
His assessing gaze studied her, as if trying to see if she’d been exposed to some contagious illness. He probably wouldn’t like hearing he was the virus, and she was searching for the cure.
“When have we not teased around like that?” he asked. “No reason to take the kidding personally.”
“I’m not.”
He raised a brow. “Sure about that? You called us un-gentlemen. That’s a first. Normally you’d swear and tell us off.”
“I…” Oh, no. She scraped the toe of her boot against the dirt floor. He was right. This was no different than before, except she was taking what they said personally. “You’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t take the ribbing as a joke.”
Or maybe she did know. The thought of spending a morning in bed with Zack wasn’t a joking matter.
He pushed a strand of hair off her face, the gesture sweet yet intimate. Her throat tightened. Why couldn’t he see what they could have together?
“You’re tired.” He lowered his hand. “It was a long day before we left the concert. Arrow made everything longer tonight.”
She nodded. “Sleeping in might be good.”
“I’ll wake up early anyway.”
“Me, too.” She remembered the looks on Ty’s and Nate’s faces. “We still won’t be allowed to go to the rodeo.”
Zack shrugged. “We can go for a ride.”
“You mean, one were we don’t have to work?”
“Exactly. Sound good?”
She forced herself not to nod enthusiastically. “Yeah. Better than sleeping in.”
“You’re a true cowgirl.”
“If the boots fit…” She straightened a rope hanging on the wall. “I was sixteen when Ralph Vaughn offered me a free horse stall in exchange for ten hours of labor a week. I ended up working twenty and received a paycheck a month later. Been here ever since.”
“You’ll be here much longer.”
Would she? Charlie had always thought so, but now…
Two cats peeked out of Ty’s office. Their slow movements made her think they’d been asleep. Maybe the mousing hour had arrived.
“I always thought I’d be here forever,” she admitted.
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t sound so certain now.”
“I’m not.” There. She’d said it. Her world didn’t cave in or implode. “What if there’s another place I belong?”
“You belong here.”
“Maybe.”
“We’re a family.”
“I know, but…” She took a do-I-dare breath. “You boys have me pigeon-holed. You see me one way. You don’t know what to do when I change things up. Wearing jewelry and styling my hair turns into a big deal. Everyone avoids me like a leper if I’m wearing a dress.”
Zack shrugged. “That’s because we see you as one of the boys.”
“All I ever wanted was to be included. You wranglers have. But I’m getting tired of being one of the guys.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Then stop being one.”
“I did when I was in Colorado.”
He stiffened. “How was it?”
She sighed. “Wonderful. I didn’t have to pretend there. I could be myself.”
He reached for her, touched her shoulder, his gaze intent upon hers. “Be yourself here.”
“I’m trying.” She touched her horseshoe earrings. “Do you know my real name?”
“Charlie.”
“That’s my nickname. Charlotte is my real name. Pretty and feminine, don’t you think?”
Another shrug. “Nice, but you’re more a Charlie.”
“You proved my point.”
“A name doesn’t matter. Neither does wearing bling and make-up. The person you are is in here.” He pointed to her heart. “Remember that and all will be good.”
She sighed. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Don’t complicate things. Women do that sometimes.”
“Is that what your trusty source told you?”
“Damn straight,” he said. “But see, you didn’t even notice I called you a woman.”
She flinched, unsure how she’d missed that. Tired, maybe. “I didn’t.”
Wicked laughter lit his eyes. “I’m looking forward to our lazy morning ride.”
Anticipation gave her a second wind. “Me, too.”
Even if a lazy morning in bed with a particular cowboy with the initials ZH held a certain appeal, too.
*
Heaven. The Bar V5 was Zack’s slice of heaven on earth. Riding with Charlie this Sunday morning only made the place sweeter. He turned Blackbeard toward the river, following Charlie and Sierra. The sound of rushing water grew louder.
Almost there.
Contentment flowed through him.
This was his favorite trail ride, one guests of all riding abilities enjoyed, but being out here with only Charlie was special, like the woman herself.
Charlotte.
Zack couldn’t wrap his head around her real name. The woman riding ahead was Charlie, a wrangler and horse trainer at the Bar V5. Okay, he noticed a red ribbon braided in Sierra’s mane, something he’d never seen before. But she was still Charlie.
So what if ponytails and braids hadn’t made an appearance all weekend and she’d worn her hair loose again? He liked how the breeze teased the ends of her locks. That didn’t make her Charlotte.
The way her jeans cupped her bottom looked hot no matter what name he used. Zack never thought he’d be jealous of a saddle, but today he was.
Charlie glanced over her shoulder. Her smile, warm and bright, reached her eyes. The blue color matched the clear sky overhead and made him think of pools of water again.
He wanted a drink.
Nope, he corrected. Not thirsty. He couldn’t immerse himself nor dip a toe in. But he could look, admire, enjoy. She was bea
utiful. And his. At least for the length of the ride.
“Want to stop down by the water and give the horses a rest?” she asked.
He knew Blackbeard’s pace and how far they’d ridden. “Sure. We have time.”
Later this morning, they would drive vans into Marietta with guests who’d slept in. Before that, he wanted to give Arrow an extra, special juicy apple—repayment for last night’s kiss and today’s “sleep in” assignment. The stallion may have been naughty, but his bad behavior worked out well for Zack.
At the trail’s end, within view of the river, he climbed off Blackbeard and attached the reins to a post. Charlie did the same with Sierra, giving the pretty mare a hug.
“Too bad we didn’t bring a picnic,” he said.
“A little early for lunch. We just ate breakfast.”
His stomach was full from the stuffed French toast, maple sausage, fruit medley, and smoothies. “I was thinking more along the lines of dessert. It’s never too early for a sweet treat.”
Especially if Charlie’s lips were involved.
Okay, bad idea. But when Zack had returned to the bunkhouse last night, he’d kept thinking about her. He’d dreamed about her kisses and woke up with her on his mind. He needed to control his feelings. Suggesting a ride with only the two of them hadn’t been his smartest idea, because his imagination was running wild with what they could do together here.
Charlie stood at the river’s edge. She wore a fleece jacket over a pink Henley. Funny, but he’d never seen her wear pink before. More Charlotte influence?
She picked up a rock. “I love this place.”
This wasn’t the first time they’d been here alone. The last time… Don’t go there. “Me, too.”
“We kissed for the first time here.”
His gaze traveled to the tree where they’d sat and later lay on the ground, only to end up covered in twigs and leaves. “I was thinking about that.”
She wiped her hands on the thighs of her jeans. “The water level’s low.”
“Just wait.” He hooked a thumb into a jean pocket, trying to tell himself he hadn’t wanted to ride here for a repeat performance of what had happened over a year ago. “The rain is coming.”
“So the old timers say.”
He moved toward her, slowly to see if she moved away. She remained in the same spot.
Kiss Me, Cowboy (Montana Born Rodeo Book 3) Page 10
