by Aliyah Burke
In his truck, after disposing of the twine and parking the Gator, her body calmed a bit. Not a lot but in her state she’d take anything. Soft strands of country music poured through the cab. She wasn’t surprised. He had country on in his barns as well.
He had a dark green F-350 King Ranch, and she shifted along the smooth brown leather. A standard—like she had—and she observed him surreptitiously as he maneuvered them down the nearly deserted road.
“You plan on answering me?” She rested her head against the seat and closed her eyes.
“Before or after the kiss?”
That soft-spoken statement caught her attention. She jerked up only to cringe and take a sharp breath at the exploding pain in her head. “Kiss?” she croaked.
A sexy smile flirted with the corner of his mouth. “You don’t remember?” He stared at her, making her take a sharp breath for an entirely different reason. Those eyes, those incredible eyes burned with heat that singed her.
She thought she’d dreamed kissing him.
“No dream, beautiful. It happened right at Denim & Spurs.”
Can’t even keep my mouth shut for an internal thought. Yet, her girlish side latched onto the fact he’d called her beautiful.
“I kissed you?”
“Long and passionate.” He winked as they slowed, entering town. “Rocked my world. I’m hurt you don’t recall it but guess that means I’ll have to ensure next time it’s memorable for you. I’ll never forget it. The feel of your lips, the intoxicating taste of you, a moment I’ll never forget.”
She slumped in her seat and wished to be anywhere but where she was at that very moment. Even so, “next time” reverberated throughout her body. Her heart beat it out with every pump.
He parked beside her truck and allowed his to idle. Hopping out, Finn headed around the front to her driver’s door. A hand pressed against the bright silver metallic paint of her dual wheeled truck, keeping it closed.
She peered up at Dustin as he stood there. Although he’d parked so their driver’s doors were side by side, each truck facing opposite directions, she’d not expected him to get out. He had and she’d become all too aware of how little room there actually existed between them.
“Yes?”
“Have dinner with me.”
Words escaped her. In all honesty she wasn’t sure what to believe. The kiss she thought was a dream and now this? “You want to have dinner with me?”
“I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.” He skimmed her with his gaze, an almost possessive gaze, and chucked her under the chin. “See you then.”
She didn’t move as he drove away. “Strange days.” Finn noticed quite a few people watching her from across the street. “I think I should honestly consider never drinking again.” Opening her door, she climbed up and started the diesel before leaving the parking lot and heading back home to handle chores.
“Care to tell me why Dustin Kane dropped by to pick you up, Finn?”
She flexed her fingers around the shovel handle before stabbing it back into the large pile of sawdust in the corner of their indoor arena. Gripping the wheelbarrow’s handles, she answered her father. “He drove me home last night because I had too much to drink.”
“Just like that?”
She shrugged. “Just like that.”
“Is he expecting something because he hired you?”
So shocked by the question, she stopped and met her father’s gaze. “Like what?”
“He’s a man. It wouldn’t be the first time a man gave a job to a woman with expectations.”
Oh, she’d noticed he was a man all right. All man. “He’s been a perfect gentleman, Daddy.” Except for that kiss—although to be fair she could have initiated that. “You can always ask him when he picks me up for supper.”
Oh how she wished to retract her flippant remark. Her father frowned before leaving, the crutches making slow going over the dirt.
“I just might.”
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she admonished herself as she took the wheelbarrow across the large arena and got back to work.
She shoveled, raked, and sweated until all the stalls were cleaned and had fresh sawdust. Then she brought the horses in and gave them some feed, spending quality time with each. A late afternoon storm rolled in, and she was about to dash through it when her phone rang.
“Finn.”
“Hi, Finn, this is Jack Martin.”
“Yes, sir.” Mr. Martin owned the dressage farm she’d also been working in Branchwater. “What can I do for you?”
“I know it’s last minute, but Fool’s Gold threw a shoe. We leave before the rooster’s awake tomorrow for competition. Do you have time to come replace it tonight?”
She glanced at her watch. “On my way.”
After ensuring everything she needed resided in her truck, she told her father where she was going. On the road, she noticed the time and hoped she’d make it for supper with Dustin. She still wasn’t sure why he wanted to share a meal with her. Not sure why he kissed me either. Or let me kiss him, however it happened.
At least the storm was short-lived and the sun had returned by the time she reached her destination. Jack met her as she drove up and parked at Golden Star Farms. Since she also worked there, she knew which barn housed Fool’s Gold.
“Thanks so much, Finn.”
She slammed her truck door behind her. “Not a problem.”
“He’s all hooked up and ready for you.”
“I’ll let you know when I’m done.”
His smile was genuine as he walked away. She watched him depart. Jack, a very handsome man, had lost his wife a few years ago. Her father had called her about that. She’d sent flowers in lieu of attending since she just couldn’t get away.
She turned from staring at him. Yep, she’d said handsome all right. He had silver at his temples, which enhanced his appearance. The man now lived with his sister-in-law and her children who also rode in dressage.
“Good-looking man,” she muttered, dragging her gaze up the side of the barn before her. Now was not the time to be thinking about another good-looking man.
With determination in her stride, she entered the cooler interior of the barn. Sure enough, as Jack stated, Fool’s Gold stood in the aisle.
“Hello, gorgeous,” she said, stepping up to his head.
Fool’s Gold was a bay Hanoverian, and she loved him. He had a great temperament. She rubbed his nose before moving down his side to his rear left leg. Her fingers lingered over the “H” brand on his hindquarter. That was done to maintain a public registry of Hanoverian horses and was the American Hanoverian Society’s brand. Jack also had his stable’s brand on him.
“Foot,” she muttered, tapping his fetlock.
He shifted his weight, obliging her. Hefting his hoof, she checked the condition of it. Two nails remained embedded so she placed it back down.
“Not sure what you did, boy, to lose it, but I’ll get you fixed up right quick.”
Ducking back under the tie, she retrieved her things and got to work. Before long, she stood over her no longer spotless anvil recreating the full support shoe Fool’s Gold needed. Sweat-covered and tired by the time she finished, Finn wiped her brow as she rotated, stretching her back.
“You’re amazing, Finn. Thank you so much for coming to bail my ass out of the fire.”
She didn’t start, having known a while ago Jack had returned and sat on a bale watching her. “He’s a good boy. I’m done if you want to try him out.”
Jack rose and with his loose-limbered gait approached her. She believed with everything within her you could tell a lot of a man by the way he treated his animals. In her opinion—which might mean squat—Jack was one of the good guys.
He rubbed the stallion’s nose and received a whicker in return. “I’ll saddle him up. You can ride.”
Her head flew up at his statement, her belly fluttering with excitement. “You want me to ride him?”
Jack
glanced at her but never stopped doling the attention to Fool’s Gold. “Why not? You used to ride dressage. You’re more than capable of putting him through his paces.”
Excitement thrummed. “I don’t want to mess him up for competition.”
His chuckle, deep and smooth, flowed from him over her. “I’ve watched you compete, Finn. You’ve got a gentle but firm touch. If you don’t want to ride him, fine.”
Oh, she did. Brushing her hands off her apron, she removed it, laying it near her tools. Jack’s smile told her he had already known she’d go for it.
“Load your truck and I’ll saddle him.”
She did, practically giddy like a schoolgirl, as she hastened to load it all. Catching up with them in the outdoor arena, she settled a hand upon the stallion’s muscled neck.
“Let me help you up.”
Soon, she sat upon him and the familiar quiver of being on horseback overtook her. The strong equine between her legs rippled with coiled power. Life didn’t get much better than this.
Chapter Three
“She’s not here.”
Dustin shifted his weight between his legs as he stared at Finn’s father. He drummed his fingers along the brim of his black Brumby. Had she stood him up? Perhaps she was playing him as Charlotte had done.
“Okay,” Dustin said, proud he hid his frustration.
He turned only to draw up short at the unmistakable rumble of a diesel engine. Instantly he forgot about the man blocking the doorway and focused on the drive. He didn’t know what to feel when he recognized the silver metallic Dually rolling up the driveway. Relief. Happiness. Arousal. Most likely a mix of all three.
Neither man spoke as the truck parked and the engine fell silent. The door opened and Finn jumped out, a harried expression on her face.
“I’m so sorry,” she called out, hastening toward them. “I had to do an emergency shoe and…” She trailed off as she dashed up the steps to pause beside him. “I figured if I stopped to call you I’d be even later than if I came home”—she turned to her father—“hi, Daddy”—then returned her dark stare to his—“so I am truly sorry I am behind. I don’t know if you still—”
Dustin placed a hand over her mouth, creating a lull in the endless litany streaming from her mouth. “Breathe,” he ordered. He tried to ignore the soft touch of her lips against his palm and how it created waves of lust within him.
She watched him, her big brown eyes framed by thick curved lashes. Women paid lots of money for their eyes to resemble her natural ones, or so he’d learned from the ones he’d dated. Lord, he wanted to kiss her again. And again.
Her deep breath moved her entire body. Cute really. She removed his hand and folded her own before her as if she’d approached slowly. Demurely.
“I can be ready in ten minutes if you still want to go.”
As if he’d give up on the opportunity to have his date. Studiously avoiding her father’s gaze, Dustin nodded. “I’ll be here.”
She flashed a smile he would swear could battle back darkness. Then she was gone and he remained with her father.
“A date then?” her father asked.
There was no inflection in the man’s tone, but Dustin leaned more toward disappointment than approval were he to hazard his own opinion. “Yes, sir.”
“Daddy, you get in here and take your pills. Invite Dustin in and stop trying to intimidate him.”
Trying? There was no need to try. Dustin was properly intimidated. It didn’t matter the man used crutches, he still appeared fully capable of handling him as if Dustin were still in nappies.
“Reckon you’d best come in then before she thinks I left you out on the porch like an unwanted guest.”
Because that was such a warm welcome. “Yes, sir.” He trailed her father into the house, closing the door quietly behind him. A totally different feel than when he’d been there before. You weren’t there to take the man’s daughter out. Good point.
Evan took his medication then hobbled to a chair where he sank with a groan. “You still running about sixty thousand head out there at the Diamond J?”
Closer to forty thousand, but he nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Running it like your daddy did?”
“No, sir, in some aspects I am, but not in others. We’re getting more into horses, which is why the cattle numbers are lowering.”
“That’s right, you have all those nice Quarter Horses. Good for you. You seem like you’ve got a decent head on your shoulders.”
“Thank you.” Honestly, he wasn’t at all sure the statement had been a compliment.
The rest of their time alone passed in silence. He could hear someone humming in the kitchen as succulent scents wafted around them. Taunting him.
One second the room had two, the next, three people in it. Finn stood there, hands folded modestly before her. His breath caught in his throat as he stared.
Clad as she was it was all he could do. Her black skirt had a wide waistband, cross-wrapped layer in the front, asymmetrical, which allowed the high-low effect to show off part of her leg. Her shirt had no sleeves, and the pale purple silk melded beautifully with her skin tone. Her shoes had high heels and matched her shirt in color. Simple. Elegant. Arousing as sin. The reaction she caused wasn’t his fault, really. He was a red-blooded human male. It happened. They got distracted by beautiful things.
“Ready?” she asked, approaching him after kissing her father.
“Yes.” Christ, he sounded like a boy on his first date.
“Bye, Daddy.”
The man never looked away from him, as if he could read each and every erotic thought Dustin had toward his daughter. “Bye, princess.”
Yes, he knew the look. Touch and die. Hands off. They were all broadcasted. Samantha walked by him, and he groaned slightly. Her shirt was backless except for a thin crisscross. The skirt highlighted her ass and as he followed her, he knew he would be sporting wood all night.
“Hope daddy didn’t grill you,” she said as he held the door for her at his truck.
“Not at all. We talked a bit about ranching.”
She brushed against him as she climbed into his vehicle. His gaze fixated on her long, smooth brown legs as he envisioned them high around his waist, or hell, even over his shoulders as he…
“Good,” she said with a smile. “He can be a bit overprotective.”
“You’re his baby girl, no matter how old you are.” He closed the door and walked around the hood to the driver’s side, readjusting himself before hopping in the truck.
“I’m really sorry I was late,” she said as he got them on the road.
Christ, he could smell her intoxicating scent every single time he breathed. That perfect blend of jasmine, honeysuckle, and woman—more specifically, Samantha.
“I understand, emergencies come up. Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay, I’ll let it go. How was your day?”
He stole a glance at her. She’d angled herself slightly in order to see him more. Her expression was one of actual curiosity, as if she truly wished to know.
“Busy. I wonder some days how they ran ranches so effectively in the past. Amazing how much paperwork cattle and horses create.” He shook his head. “But I should be grateful business is so good.” A pause. “How about you? How was your day?”
“Wonderful. A day off, well, you know what I mean.”
He did.
“It was good though, then Jack called about one of his horses having thrown a shoe. They’re leaving early morning, and he wondered if I could come fix it. So I did then I rode the horse over a few jumps.”
He heard the wistfulness in her voice. He knew she missed dressage, he’d asked before. The night he kissed her. “Then you had to get back, to meet me.”
“You make it sound like a chore, going out with you.”
“It’s not?”
She shook her head. “If it were, I would have said no.”
Straight forward and she pulled no pun
ches. Two traits he admired greatly.
“Glad you didn’t.”
* * * *
Finn couldn’t much think past Dustin’s callused hand settled upon the small of her back. Lord, she must be turning fanciful because it was all she could focus on—how warm and comforting his touch was.
He looked amazing tonight. All black, including his hat. She loved Brumby hats and wanted his. All together he looked handsome. Mouthwatering.
She just couldn’t quite grasp what Charlotte had been thinking to do what she had done to this man. Had she a man like him waiting to marry her, no way she’d ruin it. Or so she’d like to believe.
Dustin held her chair and she accepted with a brief “Thank you.” His long-limbed stride took him around to his own seat, and she enjoyed watching every motion. He sat and gave her a small grin.
“What are you thinking?”
“That they don’t have men who look like you in Maryland.” Heat surged up her cheeks. Had she truly said those words?
The sexy smirk, which lifted the sides of his kissable bow-shaped mouth, let her knew she had. Yep, it was official, she longed to sink beneath the floor.
“And you thought they would?” His voice, full of teasing, wove around her.
“Yes,” she replied. “Being as how I live there.”
His gaze pinned her. “Maybe it’s time to move back home then.”
That timbre, heaven help her, the things it did to her. More like the man and what he does to me.
“Pretty happy with my life there.”
He ordered their drinks and food from the waiter before returning his attention to her. “Pretty happy indicates room for improvement.”
She sipped her water and imagined this man to come home to daily. That would do it. “True, it does. But psychoanalyzing my life isn’t on the menu.”
His grin did wicked things to her and her insides. She hoped her nipples weren’t visible through her silk shirt. As it was, her panties were already damp.
Chatter was light between them as they dined on the Italian fare. They’d been a few years apart in school, and it was fun catching up.
“We’ll have the tiramisu, two forks,” Dustin ordered right after she shook her head and asked strictly for coffee. “No pressure,” he said. “You should at least try it.”
