He turned onto a road she knew well. Did his parents still live on the cattle farm on this road? Did he live close by too?
Memories came flooding back of her traveling this same road, in the same truck, next to the same man. Those times were a lot happier. But she didn’t want to think about it and pushed the memories away. Just like she’d done for the past ten years.
She glanced down at herself. God, she needed a shower. No way did she resemble the successful, put-together lawyer she was. She wiped her hands on what were once white pants. Streaks of mud and cow manure added to the blend of shades of brown from her fall. She wanted to gag.
They approached a beautiful two-story sandstone house. Nick slowed down. For a beat, she thought he was going to turn onto the horseshoe-shaped driveway, and was a little surprised to think that this elegant house might be his home. He took a long look at the lights shining through a window on the lower level, and as Ava was about to ask him if they were stopping there, he sped back up.
He drove for another few minutes until they reached a gravel driveway. The same one that led to Nick’s parents’ house. “Are we going to your mum and dad’s place?”
“Yep.”
He hadn’t strung a sentence together since they’d left her car. He might not be happy being stuck with her, but she wasn’t doing a happy dance either.
“Do you still live with them?” That would be strange if he did. Thirty-one years old and still living at home.
“No.”
“For Christ’s sake, Nick, I know you don’t want me around, but would it kill you to give me more than one-word answers?”
He parked in front of a house she recognized. A bright yellow porch light shone on the familiar weatherboard walls. New white shutters had replaced the old, flaking ones, and the wrap-around timber veranda was missing the scuffs and scratches of a busy home. In its place gleamed polished timber. How many times had she walked up those steps? Too many to count.
Turning the truck off, Nick shifted in the seat to face her. “Not that I have much to say to you, but I’m not talking because I’m trying not to breathe. You fucking stink.” With that, he got out of the truck fast, slammed the door behind him, and jogged to the front door, leaving her to simmer in her own stench.
Having no other choice, Ava followed. She couldn’t stay in the truck smelling like garden fertilizer the whole night. She’d do anything for a hot shower. When she got out of the truck, she didn’t bother rushing to the house; she couldn’t get any wetter. Instead, she dawdled over the uneven ground, hoping the rain would wash away some of the muck.
When she reached the front door, Nick was already at the pot belly stove starting a fire. Being wet down to the bone, a fire would be welcoming.
She kicked off her ruined shoes, leaving them outside. They had no chance of survival now anyway. She padded on bare feet onto the worn rug in front of the fire. She would have loved to stand in front of the warmth to defrost, but what she really needed was to be clean.
“Nick?”
“Yeah?” He didn’t bother to look up at her as he crouched by the flames, stabbing it with a fire poker.
“I need to use your shower.” Surely he wouldn’t refuse her the use of it. Not after complaining about how bad she smelled.
“Do you remember where it is?”
“Yes.”
“There are clean towels in the bathroom cupboard,” he said, still not making eye contact.
Once in the small room, she took stock of her reflection in the golden framed mirror above the sink and groaned. Her hair, once glossy and full of volume, hung in damp clumps and stuck flat to her head. Chunks of things she didn’t want to think about were tangled in the wet strands. The makeup she’d applied today was washed away except for the smearing of mascara streaking down her cheeks. She gave the term panda eyes a whole new meaning.
If only Jade and Lauren were here to see the mess she was in. They were Ava’s dearest friends in the world. Meeting at university, they’d become fast friends. Their bond was as tight as sisters, and she couldn’t imagine life without them. They always teased her about her immaculate appearance and how they had never seen her looking anything but perfect. They’d die of shock at the sight of her right now. Even with Nick’s black jumper hanging down to her knees, she couldn’t hide the caked-on mud and crap.
She sat on the edge of the bathtub. She was exhausted. Placing her elbows on her thighs, she cupped her face in her hands. The day had gone to shit...literally. But Ava had no time to feel sorry for herself. She needed to clean up, and then hopefully things wouldn’t look so dismal.
She threw the disgusting clothes in a heap on the tile floor and stepped under the hot spray of the shower, moaning in ecstasy. A shower had never felt so good. She took extra care washing her hair because she wanted no nasties left behind.
Using Nick’s soap to wash her body felt too personal, but she had no other choice; she needed to scrub clean. The scent of almond oil and sandalwood steamed up in the shower and images of Nick standing naked in the stall instantly filled her mind. She shivered under the warm spray. God, why did those images have to pop up?
She reluctantly finished, wrapped a towel around her body, and another for her hair. It was then she remembered she had left her suitcase in the car. She had no clean clothes to change into, and there was no way in hell she was putting her putrid clothes back on.
Dammit. She had to ask Nick for something again. What had she done in her life to be punished like this?
She cracked open the bathroom door and peered around it into the living room. This was silly hiding behind a door. Nick had seen her wear a lot less. Hell, she wore a lot less at the gym. Shoulders pulled back, she stepped from behind the door. She would not let Nick make her feel awkward.
Before she could call out to him and ask him for something to wear, she paused when she heard his low, deep voice. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”
He stared out the front window with a phone held to his ear. His black, wavy hair, which looked in need of a trim, was still damp, but he’d changed out of the wet clothes. Faded jeans molded around his firm butt, and a white t-shirt revealed ropey arms. Warmth flushed her skin. What the hell was wrong with her? She’d seen hotter, or at least she tried to believe her own lie.
“It’s getting late. I thought you’d be in bed by now.” He paused as he listened to the person on the other end. “I wanted to come by, but the storm hit and now I’m stuck with a problem.”
Ava sneered. I’m a problem?
“It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.” By the soft tones he used, she could tell he was talking to a woman. Although he hadn’t used that gentle tone on her all night.
“How’s Molly? Did the storm scare her?” He laughed, and it surprised Ava that he still knew how. “You know my little sweetheart will hog the bed.”
Molly? His little sweetheart? Did Nick have a daughter? Was he on the phone with his wife? If so, where were they?
Then, like he felt her presence, he whirled around. The smile he wore, filled with love and affection for whomever he was talking to, was beautiful, and for a second, her heart squeezed. She remembered a time when his eyes shone at her with affection. Now it dropped the moment he spotted her.
His heated gaze traveled down the length of her. Something fierce and hot flashed in his eyes, and her body burned like he’d physically stroked her. But before she could read too much into his stare, the heat fizzled out from the blue depths.
“I have to go,” he said into the phone. He nodded at whatever the person said, like they could see him, and replied, “Love you too.” He ended the call and shoved the phone in the back pocket of his jeans.
Ava marched into the living room, not giving away how the brief glance had affected her. She put the reaction down to the fact that it had been a long, tiring day and her guard had dropped. It meant nothing. Nick was still a jerk, and she now had to ask the jerk for another favor.
“I h
ave nothing to wear. Do you have something I can borrow?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the window frame. “You keep getting yourself in a predicament tonight, don’t you?”
The smug smile on his arrogant face needed to be wiped off. “Well, I do like to sleep naked and tend to get up during the night if you’re comfortable with that?” She slipped her fingers in the knot of her towel like she was about to let it drop.
Nick’s nostrils flared, and his jaw tightened.
She couldn’t suppress her smile of satisfaction. Mr. Cool wasn’t so cool after all.
He sneered and stormed into what she remembered was his parents’ bedroom. A couple of minutes later he reappeared with a bundle in his arms. He threw it at her. “Here, put these on.”
She let go of the grip on the towel to catch the clothes. The knot loosened, and it dropped in a puddle at her feet.
They both froze for a beat. Nick’s eyes were back to flashing fierce hot flames, and Ava’s heart skidded to a stop as she clutched the bundle of clothes to her chest.
She was the first to break the spell. “Having a good look?”
His lip curled into a cruel sneer. “Nothing I haven’t seen before.” Then he spun on his heels and stormed back into the bedroom, slamming the door.
“Sweet dreams,” she yelled at the closed door. She let out a shuddery breath and sank down onto the couch.
Chapter 4
The next morning, Nick fried eggs, was on his third cup of coffee, and running on two hours of sleep.
After seeing Ava naked he had needed something to occupy his mind, and what better way to do that than to battle the elements and secure the cattle. Or so he thought. But the image of her naked body with the firelight giving her an ethereal glow was stronger than the gusts of wind and rain knocking him about. She’d matured in all the right places. Tomboyish, slim hips had grown into womanly curves. The brief glimpse of her breasts revealed they’d filled out perfectly, and her Spanish heritage gave her slender figure an all-year-round tan.
Nick threw palings, wire fencing, and a tool box into the tray of the truck and headed back to where the cows had broken through the fence. Without Molly and his dirt bike, it took him two hours to round up the scared cows back in the paddock. He did a temporary repair job on the fence as best as he could in the dark, stormy conditions and hoped it would hold until he could do a better job in the daylight.
When he finally arrived home, he found Ava asleep on the living room couch, a blanket draped over her. She’d pressed her palms together and tucked them under her cheek. The innocent pose belied her true nature.
He took a quick shower and collapsed face down on his bed, but the images of her were still scorched into his brain. Yes, he’d said her body was nothing he hadn’t seen before, but he’d been lying. Although Nick had seen Ava naked many times, she’d grown into an extremely sexy woman, and that was an Ava he’d never seen before.
After tossing and turning, exhaustion finally hit him, and he fell asleep, only for his internal body clock to wake him up at the crack of dawn.
Ava entered the kitchen as he sat down at the small table. She wore the white t-shirt he’d given her last night minus the track pants. The hem of the shirt only just covering her arse showcased her long, toned legs.
Sitting at the table next to him, the soft fabric rode higher up her thigh, and his gaze trailed the hem. She must have noticed where Nick’s attention had drifted, because she said, “Your track pants are too big.”
“Coffee’s still hot, and there are more eggs in the pan if you want something to eat.” The tone in his voice was gruff.
She rose and made herself at home in his kitchen like she’d done so many times in the past, like nothing had changed. Then she reached into the top cupboard for a mug, and the t-shirt rode high along her thighs, and red silk underwear peeked from under the hem. He choked and coffee splatted on the table.
She turned with a questioning glance.
Nick thumped his chest. “Coffee went down the wrong way.” And before she figured out the real reason he was choking, he quickly added, “Your suitcase is in the spare bedroom.” He’d retrieved it when he went to repair the fence.
“Thanks.” She pulled the kitchen window curtain back and peered outside.
Even from where he sat he could see the gray, dismal day. The rain fell hard at a fast, steady rate. There was no chance of crossing that road today.
She dropped the curtain back in place and carried her plate and coffee cup to the table. “How did you get past the cows?”
“They’d moved on.”
“Will I be able to get my car into town?” She sounded hopeful.
“No.”
The coffee cup paused at her lips. “No?” She placed it back on the table. “You said they’ve moved on.”
“They have.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“The road is still under water.”
“I can get to town if we go back to the highway,” she said.
“I’ve got better things to do with my time than to be your personal chauffeur. Have someone pick you up. I’m not driving in that.”
He rose, scraping the chair on the timber floor, and took his empty plate to the sink. He rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. When he turned to face her, he kept his face void of all emotions. He picked up his cap from the chair and shoved it on his head. Snatching the raincoat off a hook on the wall, he thrust his arms into the sleeves and stomped toward the back door.
“Where are you going?” she called after him.
“Out.” He swung open the door without a backward glance and stepped into the morning rain.
She followed him onto the veranda. “What am I supposed to do here?”
Pausing in front of the garage, he rubbed his brow. A headache pounded behind his eyes. He blew out a frustrated breath and slowly turned around.
She stood on the veranda, hands on her hips. The light from inside the kitchen silhouetted her body underneath the white fabric of the t-shirt, and a surge of heat swamped him. Dammit, the sight of her should make him sick, not fucking turned on.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, and closed his eyes for a beat. “Make arrangements to leave?” He didn’t disguise the hope in his voice.
“I probably shouldn’t risk anyone driving in this.”
But it was okay for him to risk his life. “As much as I love our little chitchat, my arse is getting soaking wet.” He turned to go inside the garage.
“Wait!” she called, stopping him.
Dropping his head for a moment, he turned back around.
“Seriously, what am I supposed to do here?”
He threw his hands into the air. “Paint your fingernails for all I care.”
“Gee, how about after I do that I strap on an apron and cook you a three-course dinner?” She clasped her hands in front of her, causing her breasts to squeeze together. Was she tormenting him on purpose?
With a will of its own, his gaze dropped to her chest. Her nipples, probably from the cool morning air and not a reaction to him, pressed against the t-shirt. He drew in a deep breath and turned to leave. “That would be great. I like to eat at six.”
* * * *
Ava watched him storm toward the old garage and couldn’t help but admire the way his faded blue jeans fit snuggly around his firm arse and toned legs. He was a jerk but still a sexy jerk. Why couldn’t he have been bald with a beer belly? When he reached the garage, he swung the door open so hard she was surprised it didn’t fall off its rusty hinges.
The thought of being stuck in the house all day wasn’t appealing, and he’d have a better chance of the cows making him dinner. But spending time with Nick wasn’t an ideal choice either. If she went with him, perhaps she could convince him to take her back to town. The idea of calling her father to pick her up wasn’t an option.
She rushed inside, passed Nick’s parents’ bedroom, and wondered where the
y were. She must remember to ask about them, they’d been like a second family. Guilt at leaving Sunland Valley without saying goodbye pressed heavy on her chest. She hoped they’d forgiven her.
Once in the spare room, she flung open her suitcase and sifted through its contents. Not exactly farm attire, but would she really wear anything that was remotely ‘country’ if she’d known she’d be stuck on a cattle farm? The answer was no.
She chose a pair of black, shiny jeans with silver zippers and a dark gray, silk, spaghetti strap tank top. This morning the weather was cool, so she threw on a long, caramel-colored waterfall coat. She could always take it off when the morning warmed. Choosing shoes was a problem. Jimmy Choos and another pair of Louis Vuittons were her only options. She’d already ruined a great pair last night, but unless she wanted to clunk around in a pair of Nick’s work boots, she needed to select a pair to wear. She decided on the Jimmy Choos because they were a soft, leather ankle boot. Boots are farm appropriate, aren’t they?
If she’d had time she would’ve applied makeup, but all she could do was a quick swipe of chili red lip gloss. She ran a brush through her hair and it fell into a straight bob. She was thankful for a great salon treatment that allowed her locks to stay straight and silky smooth.
She probably should’ve stayed at the house and called Isabella to let her know she’d made it to Sunland Valley. But Bella wasn’t expecting her until tomorrow. She’d left a day early because she wanted to get into town and settle into the bed-and-breakfast before she faced the family.
She hurried into the kitchen and paused at the back door. Slick sheets of rain came pouring down so hard dirt bounced from the ground. Sighing, she glanced at her beautiful boots and silently said goodbye. She was also without an umbrella; last night hers went flying with the wind. She’d get soaked if she went outside. Searching around the kitchen, she spotted the weatherproof jacket Nick had worn last night. It wouldn’t offer a lot of protection, but it would have to do. Instead of wearing it over her clothes, she held it high above her head and ran in the direction of the garage.
Chasing Trouble Page 3
