by Ivy Jordan
Harper laughed. “It’s okay. It’s for the best. She’s still in love with Thomas. She would’ve felt so guilty if something happened between the two of you. I knew that she didn’t really like you like that. I mean, naturally she thought you were good-looking, but there was nothing there. She was so desperate to stop thinking about Thomas, and she was trying to find a distraction. But she wasn’t upset with you. I think she was more annoyed with herself if I’m to be honest.”
“Well, that’s good then. It was a little bit awkward, but I’m glad I’m not the reason she left. I would’ve felt terrible about that. I was flattered though.”
“That’s exactly what I told her. Everyone loves a good ego boost,” she said.
“So, you didn’t really want to come here, and now you’re the one that’s left behind,” I said. “I still remember that first day when you got off the shuttle. You looked a little bit disgusted. Even though I can tell that you’re enjoying yourself now, I’m still surprised in a way that you didn’t go back with her.”
She giggled. “I was a little disgusted that first day. No offense. The place is beautiful, but I just couldn’t handle all the dust. And yeah, I know that it probably seems a little ridiculous to a country man like yourself. But… well… it’s hard to explain just how different it is living in the city to coming to a place like this. It takes some getting used to. I know you thought I was completely out of my element but it really was just a bit of a shock to me. That’s all. I wouldn’t leave so soon. I’m here for the full experience, and I’m going to get it. Anyway, what would I do back home? Jillian will go straight to Thomas. If I go home, the first thing I’m going to do is work, and that’s what I’m trying to take a break from.”
I thought about telling Harper right there and then that I didn’t live here. I thought about telling her how I was a city boy too and how I worked as a professor for a living. I wondered what she would think if she knew that I was affiliated with a think tank. Would she be impressed? This was usually the first thing that I told women when I met them. I wanted them to know that I was a hard worker who earned good money and who went after his dreams. But something was holding me back this time around. A lot of it had to do with the fact that I was already too far gone into this lie to suddenly take it back. I still hadn’t actually told her that I lived here, but I had also never denied it when she said anything. It would be strange to suddenly come out and tell her the truth. Also, most of the women I had dated had been interested in me because of what I did for a living, not because of who I was as a person. I was curious to see if Harper would be interested in just the man and not the scholar. I had never shown this side of myself to other people, and I wanted to know what the reaction would be. Also, there was a small part of me that wondered if Harper wouldn’t be interested in the real me. Perhaps she just liked the idea of me as a cowboy. Either way, I decided not to tell her.
“So, no boyfriend for you then?” I asked.
She frowned. “Why do you say that? Don’t you think I can have a boyfriend? Aren’t I datable or something.”
“Uh, quite the opposite. Of course I think you can have a boyfriend. But you didn’t rush off like Jillian did so I’m assuming you don’t. Either that or you have some very sad boyfriend pining for you at home and wondering when you’re going to come back.”
She chuckled. “Nah, I’m just kidding. I have no boyfriend waiting for me back home. And sometimes I really do think that I’m not datable.”
“You’re very datable, Harper. You shouldn’t say things like that.”
She shrugged. “How about you? Jillian said she asked you if you were married or if you had a girlfriend and you said you didn’t. She really is pretty forward when she wants to be, isn’t she?”
“She also asked me if I was gay,” I said, and we both laughed. “Nah, no girlfriend or wife for me either. I don’t know why. I guess I just haven’t found the right person. It’s not as easy for some people. I don’t know. Some people make it look like the easiest thing in the world, but I don’t think it is. Maybe I’m just unlucky in love, or maybe I’m also just not datable.”
She shook her head. “I sincerely doubt that. So, no girlfriend and no wife. At least you have all these animals. Sally the sheep is looking particularly pretty today.”
I laughed at that. “That’s not exactly the same thing. Mike and Allison seem to think it’s because I’m too busy. They say I just don’t make enough time for love. And they’re probably not far off from the truth. I’m one of those people that can’t sit still for very long. I constantly need to be doing something, otherwise I feel like I’m wasting my time.”
Harper gave me a strange look. “Really? You feel like that out here? I would think that this place makes you more relaxed. Well, maybe it’s different if you live here. But I know what you mean. I’m exactly the same. I am constantly on the move, jumping from one project to the next. I never sit still. I like it though. I like being busy even though I’m not sure if it’s always the right thing to do. It’s been good to relax too for a change.”
“You said you work in PR, right? That does sound like the sort of job that keeps you on your toes.”
“Oh yeah. It totally does. It’s great though. I love it. Ideally, I think I would’ve enjoyed working in fashion, but I do enjoy my job. I love seeing how I can help other people. There’s something great about watching a company go from nothing to something that suddenly everyone is talking about. It’s a lot of work, but I’m all for working hard.”
I smiled. “I like that about you. I knew someone that worked in PR and she described the job as completely the opposite to you. She used to tell me that it was soulless. It’s nice to hear you say otherwise.”
“It’s what you make of it, isn’t it? There are pros and cons to every job, and I happen to see the fun side of mine. I don’t mind working hard to help other people. I know some people don’t enjoy that, but then, quite frankly, they shouldn’t be in that business in the first place.”
“People don’t realize how important it is to enjoy your job. And how unimportant it is to worry about what anyone else thinks of it.” I immediately thought about Mike as soon as I said the words, although I was starting to think that maybe he did actually feel proud of me.
“Nevertheless, it’s been good to get away. I like being here, under the stars.”
I smiled at her. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight. “I have an idea.”
“Yeah?”
“How about we go for a moonlit ride? I’m sure Thunder would love to see you again.” And I don’t want this evening to stop.
She looked at me with wide and excited eyes. “Really? Can we do that?”
“We can do whatever we want to,” I said as if I really did work here. She didn’t have to know. I was sure Mike wouldn’t mind either. I was working here now so what difference did it really make?
“I would love that,” she said.
We got the horses and saddled up, and then the two of us took a ride around the field together under the stars. We didn’t talk much but every now and again we would turn to look at each other and smile. There was no doubt in my mind that this was the best night I’d experienced since being here. I was now so grateful that I had decided to come for a visit.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Harper
It was a perfect night. One of those still, quiet nights that didn’t get ruined by wind or rain. The air was cool but not cold, and it was a welcome reprieve from the hot day that had passed. It was my favorite kind of weather. But it wasn’t the weather that made this night so perfect. It was the fact that I was out in the open air partaking in my new favorite pastime with a very handsome man. I thought of Jillian and chuckled to myself.
“What’s so funny?” Travis asked.
“All of this. Jillian would be delighted to hear that I was out in the middle of an open field with just you. I mean, I know it’s not meant to be, but the whole thing is almost ridiculously ro
mantic. It’s one of those settings you would see in a movie or read about in a book. Especially Jillian. She loves those sorts of books. Anyway, she would be very happy if she could see this. You and I out here together. It would definitely make her day.” I knew that I was only bold with my speech because we were in the dark and he couldn’t see my facial expression. It was easier to talk frankly when he couldn’t really see me. He had no idea that even though I sounded confident that my face was probably bright red.
“She would be delighted? I don’t understand why. Are you telling me that Jillian wants the two of us to be together? Has she forgotten about me so easily?” he said with mock hurt in his voice.
I laughed. “Yeah, she’s already discarded you and moved onto the next guy.”
“She’d really be happy to see this?”
“Yeah, she would,” I said.
“How about you? Are you happy to be out here with me?”
I let the question linger in the air for a while before answering. “It’s okay,” I said finally.
“Harper, you know just how to hit a guy where it hurts. Jillian gave me such a nice ego boost, but you’ve just shot me down. My heart has shattered into a million pieces now.”
I laughed. “Sorry, Travis. I had to bring you back down to earth a little bit. I couldn’t have you getting a big head. You’re already this handsome cowboy living his dream; I can’t have you thinking that all the women are in love with you.” I couldn’t believe how much fun I was having with him. Talking, riding, flirting: there was nothing better. I was so glad now that Jillian had made me stay. If she had asked me to leave with her, I probably would’ve, but this would’ve been such a shame to miss out on.
“So you think I’m handsome?” he teased.
Instead of answering him, I just rode off into the distance. He followed me and we laughed, but we never got back to the topic. After a bit more riding, he asked if I was ready to go back and I reluctantly said yes. We made our way back to the stable and put the horses securely back. I gave Thunder a kiss and told him how much I loved him. I couldn’t believe how much I loved being around that horse. I wondered if I would’ve felt the same if I hadn’t gotten Thunder. Somehow, I wasn’t so sure.
“Lucky horse,” Travis said as he watched the kiss.
I looked at him and smiled. “Well, I just can’t help myself. He’s gorgeous.”
“I thought you said he was just a car with legs?”
I laughed at that. I was surprised he remembered that conversation. “Well, he’s more than that to me now. Also, don’t let him hear you say things like that. He’s going to be hurt. Oh, and Travis…”
“Yes?”
“I do think you’re handsome.” And then, before I could stop myself, I walked right up to him and kissed him.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would kiss a guy in a stable, surrounded by horses, dust, and hay. It was romantic in books but had you told me that a few days ago, I would’ve looked at you in disgust. I wanted candles, wine, and soft beds. Not this. And yet… now that it was actually happening, I forgot all about those things. Suddenly it really was the most romantic place in the world. And Travis was an incredible kisser. Suddenly, Thunder made a noise, and we pulled away and laughed.
“Someone is jealous,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Thunder,” I said to the horse. “I love you, but I’m not quite sure I want to put my lips on yours.”
“Uh… that was nice,” Travis said to me.
I nodded. “Yeah. So, uh… want to come back to my room?” I couldn’t believe it when the words were out my mouth. Jillian would be so proud of me. She was always encouraging me to take more risks in life, and this was certainly a major risk. At least, to me it was. I had no idea why I had even said the words. It probably was a mixture of knowing that Jillian wouldn’t be in the room and the immense feeling of joy that the moonlight ride had given me. Also, Travis had flirted with me while we were out there. I was sure of it.
“Do you think this is a good idea?” he asked.
“I have no idea.”
“Let’s go,” he said suddenly and took my hand.
The two of us rushed off to the room and closed the door behind us. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t wondered what kind of a lover Travis would be. Would he be rough and controlling or gentle and sweet? All of the above, as it turned out. It started off a bit rough, as he pushed me against the wall, pinning me in place as he kissed me. But the moment we were lying in bed, he became gentle with me, his strong, eager hands becoming gentle as they played across my skin, his kisses turning soft and exploratory. For all my confidence, I had never been all that sure of myself in bed. The last two guys I had been with had been so incompatible with me that I’d wondered if I would ever want to have sex again.
But this was nothing like that. We moved together like we were playing in an orchestra. Without his clothes on, Travis was even more gorgeous than I had imagined. He wasn’t as tanned or as toned as I expected a guy who worked outdoors all day would be, but he still looked good—still far better than any other guy I had ever been with. He was a big guy, and I liked the way he seemed to tower over me. He moved down my body with his tongue, starting from my nipples all the way down until he got in between my legs, gently parting my folds with his fingers to offer his hungry tongue better access to me. I opened up for him and stretched out across the bed to enjoy every minute of him, sighing contentedly. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely at ease with myself. I’d always felt good with my clothes on. I was a natural when it came to my style. But there was nowhere to hide when my clothes came off. It was nice to see how much Travis seemed to enjoy me this way. I pulled him off me because I was afraid I was going to come if he continued much longer, and the need to have him inside me could no longer be denied. He moved up, positioning himself between my parted legs with a smile. He leaned down and sealed his warm mouth against mine in a kiss. As he did so, he plunged himself inside me, and I gasped aloud, feeling as if my body was going to explode from sheer joy. So this was what it was like to have sex with a cowboy? I thought. No wonder they were so prevalent in romance stories. This was everything and more.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that to you,” he said as soon as we were finished. His hands were trailing over my body as if he were trying to memorize every part of me. I hoped that meant that he thought we weren’t going to do that again. I wasn’t sure if I could stop now that we had started this.
“Really? Even when I got off the shuttle bus in my ridiculous outfit?”
He smiled. “Oh, especially then.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Travis
I woke up the following day feeling incredible. I hadn’t stayed over with Harper the night before because I had no idea what was going to happen now that we had slept together. Harper believed that I lived at the ranch, so there was no way she was thinking of this becoming a permanent thing. Something about that did bug me a little though. I wondered if she would’ve slept with me if she knew that I didn’t actually stay all that far from her. What would she think if she knew that I was a professional that worked out in the city? Someone who could easily afford to fly out and see her whenever I wanted to? I tried not to think about that though. I could’ve said no to sleeping with her if I wanted to. But I hadn’t. Of course I hadn’t. Sleeping with Harper had been one of the best experiences of my life. It had been quite a while since I’d had sex, but it had been a whole lot longer since I’d had sex like that.
Harper was incredible in bed. The two of us were more suited than I thought she would. And boy was she beautiful. The way she’d looked at me with those bright blue eyes. I honestly thought I was going to lose it. I had no idea what was going to happen after this or if we were even going to do that again, but I didn’t regret what happened. When I’d left her that night, I’d simply kissed her on the mouth again, told her how beautiful I thought she was and left. She hadn’t aske
d me to stay, but she looked happy and content. Now we’d just have to see what happened.
I was sitting at the breakfast table with Mike. Allison wasn’t feeling well so she’d decided to stay in bed rather than coming in and infecting all of us. So Mike and I had made our own breakfast. Naturally, when we were left to our own devices, our food wasn’t all that great. He made the toast and peanut butter, and I made the coffee. Then we went outside to sit and talk on the porch.
“We’re hopeless,” he said as he took a bite of his toast.
“Nah, this is good,” I said.
“Look at it. I even managed to burn the toast.”
I laughed. “You did a little. But it’s okay. This is exactly the sort of thing I would’ve made at home anyway. Burned toast is what I’m used to. So, in a way, you’ve just given me a taste of home.”
Mike was about to say something when his phone rang. I listened to him talk while I continued with my breakfast. When he put the phone down, I noticed a concerned look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Probably nothing to be honest. That was one of the ranch hands. He said that one of the horses is looking a little dejected lately. He said the horse looks tired, like it’s been working too hard. Odd though, because we haven’t been doing more riding than usual. Do you know anything about it? Did you also notice that? I’ve been so busy with everything that I haven’t really taken much notice of the horses.”
I immediately thought of the ride out with Harper. I hadn’t wanted to tell Mike about it, but I figured I would have to now so that nobody else got in trouble for something I did. I would also rather him find out from me than from someone else. I didn’t want to make it look like I was trying to hide something. I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous to tell him though. It wasn’t like we had done anything wrong.
“Uh, that might be my fault,” I said.
“What do you mean? Why would it be your fault?”
