Forbidden Bond

by Jessica Lee

  “Simple. I fail to help you hang on to the place, I have to buy it. Full asking price.”

  “And if you do succeed in giving us the boost we need until I’m on both my feet again and ready to take over…I’ll ask again, what’s in it for you?”

  “I won’t be bored as hell while I wait for a buyer.”

  Olivia’s stomach twisted, her bagel at risk for a revisit from the tension in the room. Her brother looked like he was about to wear down the enamel on his back teeth. And Eion…if it weren’t for the incessant bounce of the foot he’d braced over his leg, she wouldn’t have a clue that he was as jittery as they were.

  Her brother broke the silence. “I don’t even know you anymore, Eion.” He sat forward, hands clasped between his knees. “Yet I’m supposed to trust you to run my ranch? How do I know you won’t sabotage me so you can be sure to have the place for yourself?”

  “I’m selling my own ranch next door.” Eion lifted a palm in emphasis. “So why would I want to buy yours?”

  Kris lifted his chin in acknowledgement, a silent you have a point move.

  “You’re at the place where you need to sell—period,” Eion said. “What do you have to lose? It’s a win-win scenario I’m offering you here.” He lowered his boot to the floor, grabbed his hat, and studied the band encircling the base. “I make you money, you win. I fail, you get full asking price for the ranch. You win.” He shrugged. “I don’t see a problem.”

  “You’re willing to bust your ass on my ranch for nothing more than entertainment?” Kris shook his head. “It sounds a little too good to be true. But even if you’re willing to work for free, it still doesn’t solve our immediate cash flow problem and the creditors already hounding us. They aren’t going to wait for you to turn this place around.”

  “I have some funds I’m willing to liquidate. I think it should be enough in the short term to get you back on track.”

  “Like I said, we don’t need your charity,” Kris bit out.

  “Who said a damn thing about charity?” Eion glared. “I expect once this ranch is in the black again, which I don’t believe will take long if you give me a chance to get my hands on things, you’ll pay me back—with interest.” Eion tilted his head.

  Kris dropped his head and released a laugh. One that sounded more incredulous than humorous. “You cocky SOB.”

  Eion stood and shoved his hat back into place. “I can put it all in writing if you’d like. I’ll bring it with me tomorrow morning. We can talk then about what this place needs to bring in some capital. I’ll take a look at your books. Get an idea of what it’ll take to get your creditors off your back.”

  Olivia wrapped her fingers over her brother’s arm. “What do we have to lose, Kris? He’d be running everything past you.” She frowned at Eion, daring him to ever do otherwise. “It could be our last fighting chance.”

  “Put it in writing.” Kris sucked in a long breath. “You know what this place means to us. You try to fuck with me, my sister, or this ranch, you’ll wish you’d never come back to town.” Kris pushed up onto his crutches and made his way over until he and Eion were face to face. “I want to trust you, Eion, but I’m not the same guy you left behind twelve years ago. Trust ain’t something I give away unearned anymore.” His fingers clenched the handle of his crutches, his expression pinched. “But I need you here bad enough that I’m going to give you a chance. But you’re going to have to prove you don’t have a hidden agenda.”

  Eion didn’t flinch. Impressive, since Kris could be one intimidating asshole when he wanted to be. He never talked about his experiences during his two tours, but each trip home, Kris had grown a little harder, colder than before. Not with her, but against life in general.

  “Understood.” Eion nodded. “No agenda,” he added and glanced at Olivia, their gazes locking a little longer than what felt necessary in front of Kris. Her heart stuttered.

  “I truly want to do whatever I can to help you both before I leave.” His attention slid back to Kris.

  “All right.” Kris gave an almost indiscernible nod then pivoted around toward the kitchen. “Be here at sunrise and don’t forget the contract.” He shuffled off into the other room.

  Olivia inhaled through her nose. “Okay, then. I guess you’ll be working here.”

  “Appears so,” he said, his voice deepened, a seductive scratch to her libido. She worked some moisture back into her dry throat.

  “Well, I have to get to work, so I’ll show you out.” Olivia brushed past him on her way to the door, Eion on her heels.

  “Hold on,” he said.

  “What?” Olivia halted in her tracks and looked behind her. “What’s the matter?”

  “Your hair.” His knuckles brushed up her spine, stealing her breath. “It’s coming undone.”

  “Oh,” she breathed. “I forgot to finish putting it up when you came to the door.”

  With surprising finesse, Eion lifted her hair and proceeded to pull her locks into a ponytail. Tugging gently on the tail, he cinched the band snug at the base.

  “There.” As if searing every strand into memory, his fingers made their way down to the tip of her tresses, the back of his hand grazing the curve of her spine. Goose flesh rose in their wake, sending a tremble through her thighs. Then he stepped away. She didn’t need to hear his footsteps to know he’d moved. The loss of his proximity hit her like a burst of cold air.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he murmured in passing, reaching the door before she could find her voice. He glanced over his shoulder at her before exiting. “Oh, how did that little mutt pull through?”

  “He’s coming along very well.” She smiled, her heart warming that he asked. “Taylor was able to locate his owners, and they were happy to hear you were willing to fund his surgery. Most people around here are doing good to make it month to month.”

  “I’m glad he’s going to be okay.” He nodded. “If you think of anything else you need…yeah.” He slapped the wood frame and tore his gaze away as if he’d thought better of what he was about to say. The door closed, and seconds later the sound of his truck’s engine filled the vacant space around her.

  “You,” she muttered to herself, rooted in the same spot where he’d left her.

  “You still like him, don’t you?”

  Olivia whipped around, seeing her brother leaning in the doorway of the kitchen. “What?” She forced a laugh. “Why would you say that?”

  “I’m your brother, and I’ve kind of known you your whole life.” He inched closer. “And my leg may be out of a commission, but I didn’t go blind.” Kris’s face scrunched as if he’d just smelled something that had gone bad. “You couldn’t keep your eyes off him.”

  “Please,” she blurted out, heading for the sofa. Olivia dropped onto the cushion. “You’re out of your mind.” She glanced up. “You sure a piece of that shrapnel didn’t lodge in your head?”

  Kris came forward until he stood next to her. “Smartass.”

  Olivia dropped her gaze to her lap. “Bite me.”

  “Mandrake’s not going to be staying around. Just like before, when he’s done here, he’s going to up and head back to wherever the hell he came from. He’ll hurt you, Livvy. Don’t allow him to mess up what you and Taylor have. McDaniel is solid, reliable. You can count on him.”

  Her brother was right. She knew he was. So how come every sentence out of his mouth selling Taylor over Eion felt like another cinch in the band squeezing her chest? “I know that. You don’t have to convince me what a great guy I have. I’ve known Taylor a lot longer than you.” Olivia shook her head. “And I’m not falling for Eion, so don’t get your boxer briefs in a wad.”

  “Uh-huh.” He nodded, but the tone said you’re lying through your teeth. “I’m just saying…that’s all.” He turned back toward his bedroom. “Watch yourself around him, Sis.” He stopped and looked back over his shoulder, his gaze snagging hers. “You weren’t the only one whose eyes couldn’t stay put.”
r />   ***

  Olivia stopped under the glow of The Dry Well’s neon sign and checked the time on her phone. Fifteen after nine. Only a few minutes late.

  Inside, Josie waved to her from the bank of pool tables on the other side of the saloon. Olivia hustled over and gave her a quick hug. “Sorry I’m late. Thanks for meeting me for a little girl’s night out.”

  “Oh, you’re fine,” Josie said. “And you know it. Any chance to hang out with my BFF after hours.” She lifted her beer for a salute, and Olivia grabbed the one Josie had waiting for her. They clinked their bottles.

  “Between your brother’s injury, and you and Taylor,” she said, emphasis on Liv’s partner’s name, “you and I don’t get to do this often enough.”

  “I know. We’re going to have to correct that.”

  “So what’s the occasion?” Josie grasped her pool cue and chalked the end. She moved to the end of the table, gave the cue ball a hard crack, and scattered the multi-colored billiard balls.

  “Well, speaking of Taylor,” Olivia took another swig of her Bud, “he asked me to marry him.”

  Josie’s next shot missed the cue ball, nearly leaving a groove in the velvet. “What?” Her head popped up. She squealed, dropped her stick, and flew around the table. “Oh, my God.” Josie yanked her into a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you.” She pulled back, holding Olivia’s shoulders, and her smile faltered. “You did say yes, right?”

  “Not exactly.” Olivia sighed.

  “Oh.” Josie’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry,” she added, her voice hushed. “What happened? When and where did he ask you?”

  “A couple of days ago, at the steak house.”

  “A couple of days ago!” Josie gasped. “And you’re just telling me now?”

  “I know…I should have called you.” Olivia gave her friend a pained smile, and then took her turn at the table, sinking a ball in the pocket. “Work has kept me so busy, and we lost one of our herd that night… It’s been a rough few days.” Liv then went on to fill Josie in with the details of the proposal, leaving out her run-in with Eion. No need to go there.

  Batting her eyelashes, Josie sighed. “That man of yours is so romantic.”

  “Yes. I agree. He is pretty special.” Olivia smiled.

  “Was he crushed when you told him you weren’t ready?”

  “He was really disappointed. I tried to make sure he understood that I do love him, and I don’t want to break up. I just don’t think we’re ready to be married, and it’s not fair to him for me to pretend to be.”

  “You’re right. He doesn’t deserve a woman who’s stringing him along.”

  “Besides, you know me. I’m not one to take an impulsive leap like that. Not anymore. I did that once years ago, and I don’t need to be burned twice before I learn that it’s not wise to let your heart lead.” The stunned look on Eion’s face the summer she’d taken the risk and kissed him flashed before her mind’s eye. The embarrassment of that moment, followed by the way he’d ignored her until he left town a couple of weeks later, had left an emotional wound that had never healed. Olivia grabbed the beer their server had left on the nearby bar table and took a swift gulp. “I think Taylor understood,” she went on to say. “Except for the fact he wouldn’t take this back.” Olivia reached inside her purse on the stool and grasped the small velvet box sitting beside her wallet. She opened the top and held it up for Josie’s inspection. Her friend’s breath hitched. Josie leaned over and studied the solitaire before glancing up, her eyes wide.

  “He wanted you to keep this even though you turned him down?”

  Olivia nodded. “He said he refused to think of my ‘no’ as anything other than a ‘not yet’.” She closed the box and slipped it back inside her bag. “For as long as I’ve known him, Taylor has been the eternal optimist and he swears it’s only a matter of time before I put it on my finger.” Her heart swelled. He had such faith in their destiny. “What was I supposed to say to that?”

  “Doc McDaniel is one of kind, girl. I don’t know how you resist.” Josie rolled her eyes.

  Olivia sighed. “But it has to feel right, you know? Marriage is forever. Till death do you part and all that stuff, in my book.”

  “Well, I just can’t imagine Mr. Right isn’t Taylor for you. But you know I’ll support you whatever you decide.”

  “Thank you.” Olivia returned to the pool table’s edge.

  “Oh! Speaking of a special man…I have some news. Guess who was back in my office yesterday?”

  Olivia swallowed, forcing the sudden knot of apprehension in her throat to retreat, took her next shot, but missed. “Who?”

  “Eion Mandrake.”

  “Um. He actually stopped by our house this morning and mentioned he was selling his place.”

  “He came by?” Josie moved in closer.

  “You mind if we take a break?” Olivia motioned with her stick toward the rack.

  “Sure.” Josie shrugged. “That’s fine.”

  After putting away their cues, they snagged a table near the back corner of the saloon and ordered another round.

  “So,” Josie began, “what was it like seeing your first crush again?”

  Olivia breathed deep, searching for a way to steady her nerves. She was so glad to have Josie around. After high school graduation, most of her girlfriends had gone away to college and never looked back. Little Crow Pass was a pimple on the map of Wyoming, and unless you were a rancher, there wasn’t much to offer. And of course there were no boyfriends hanging around from those days—mainly because there never really were any. None of the boys had ever measured up to the fantasy that had been Eion Mandrake. So when Josie had moved back last year and had opened up her real estate office, Olivia had been overjoyed.

  But how much should she tell Josie about her lingering feelings for Eion? Any normal woman would not still be affected by a guy she’d crushed on when she was fourteen. She was in a relationship now. Josie would probably think she was mental.

  “It felt kind of odd.” Olivia toyed with the label on her beer. “But it wasn’t the first time we’d run into each other.” She mentally grimaced. Here we go…

  “Oh, really? Spill.”

  She filled Josie in on what she claimed was their first encounter when she’d walked in on Eion and Kris. She wasn’t about to divulge the time she’d spent alone with him at the clinic. Josie’s imagination had always been a bit too combustible and she wasn’t about to add fuel to it. Then Olivia recounted the time at Chuck’s after Taylor had proposed and when she’d gone riding the following day.

  “He actually came up to you after Taylor had proposed and had the nerve to ask if you loved your boyfriend?” Josie shook her head. “Strange.”

  “I know…but later on my ride, Eion claimed he was looking out for me, since he and Kris used to be such good friends and he apologized.”

  Josie blew her long bangs out of her eyes then took a long draw on her beer. “You said he came by today, too?”

  “Yeah. He’s offered to work on the ranch while Kris recovers. Wants to help us out.” Olivia plucked a few peanuts from the bowl on the scratched oak table.

  “I see… He wants to help you guys out. I wonder what else Mr. Tall, Dark, and Delicious wants to help himself to?”

  “Josie!” Olivia’s heart pounded at the idea. And she wasn’t sure if it was because she was appalled at her friend’s statement or thrilled. “I’m dating Taylor.”

  “I’m just making an observation.” Josie lifted her palms, feigning innocence. “For a man who has had nothing to do with you guys in years, suddenly he seems to be running into you a lot.”

  “I hardly think he’s sitting up at night thinking up his next excuse to see me.” Olivia scoffed.

  “But after all these years, Livvy Wilson, you still have a thing for him. Don’t you?” Josie’s mouth curled into a devilish grin.

  Heat bloomed up Olivia’s neck. Oh, dear God. She could not be that obvious. “Maybe ther
e is a still a small part of me that isn’t quite over that crush.” She shrugged.

  “I knew it!” Josie sat back and lifted her bottle.

  “Even if there was a miniscule part of me that does, Josie McAllister, you can’t breathe a word.”

  “You know I wouldn’t do that,” she whispered. “What happens on girls’ night, stays right here.” She mimicked a zipping action across her lips, and the tension in Olivia’s chest eased a fraction.

  “Taylor’s a wonderful man.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “And even if I’m not ready to marry Taylor, I do love him. Besides, none of us knows anything about Eion anymore or why he left town. That’s why I’m doing my best to stay focused on what’s really important—the constants in my life I can count on, you, Kris, the ranch, the clinic, and Taylor.”

  “Smart girl. Because something tells me these little run-ins with the mysterious Mr. Mandrake might not be over.”

  That was exactly what Olivia was afraid of.

  Chapter Nine

  Waiting for the sun to finally set was like watching grass grow. Eion paced the confines of his house, about to come unglued if he didn’t get the chance to run soon. Running in the light of day was too much of a risk, even on his own land.

  He should have never touched Liv.

  Feeling the silken fall of her hair next to his skin—irresistible. A fantasy come to life.

  Eion ripped his shirt from his torso. The memory was an agonizing tease he’d never get out of his head.

  His heart pounded and his shaft throbbed from the constant denial to claim his mate. Not that he couldn’t find temporary relief alone, but it was never enough, and especially not when he was this close to her. He breathed deep. Even now, her scent lingered in his nostrils. Lemongrass and wild roses. Exotic, fresh, and sweet.

  Orange and yellow bands of color streaked the horizon as the sun settled behind the hillside. Finally. Eion pulled open the back door and scanned the area, ensuring he was indeed without an audience. The chirps of nearby crickets filled his ears along with the occasional throaty moo of the Wilsons’ cattle echoing in the distance.