Rylan’s eyes narrowed as they met Brad’s and his voice was tight. “When was all this decided?”
“Last week.”
Chuck and Sammy wore identical expressions of confusion. Their gazes went from Rylan to Brad to Callie and then back to Rylan.
Callie’s gaze collided with Rylan’s. Hers reminded him that his brothers didn’t understand the antagonism between them.
“I realize I’m not actually needed. My decision to come relieved Aunt Molly and my mom. She’s been torn between coming to help and staying home to look after Daddy.”
Rylan’s expression remained fierce but he didn’t say anything else. He turned his attention to Chuck and Sammy.
“Callie’s car has a flat. You guys want to help me check it out?”
“Sure! Yeah!” they chorused.
“We can take my truck,” offered Chuck.
Rylan held his hand out. Chuck tossed him the keys and then turned to swing himself into the truck bed.
“You coming, Callie?” asked Sammy as he climbed into the cab. “I’ll let you ride shotgun.”
Before she could respond Rylan answered for her. “She needs to rest and stay out of the sun,” he declared while climbing into the pickup.
“I’ll see you later,” she called over the revving of the engine.
Sammy waved, slammed the door of the truck and waved some more as they pulled away from the house. Callie waved back, watched the truck head down the drive and then turned to Brad. With hands on hips and the heat of battle in her eyes, she laid into him.
“I can’t believe you arranged for me to come out here without Rylan’s approval! You must have known he wouldn’t agree or you wouldn’t have organized everything while he was gone.”
Brad shrugged, unrepentant. “Rylan wasn’t here. I had to consider what was best for Mom. Too bad if big brother doesn’t like it.”
“But you could have waited a few days,” she insisted, stepping onto the porch.
“The sooner Mom concentrates on her therapy the sooner she’ll be recovered. I couldn’t see any reason to delay.”
Callie saw plenty of reason. She’d assumed Rylan approved of her stay even if he wasn’t thrilled to have her. It was too late to back out now yet they very well may have opened a Pandora’s box of trouble.
“Gonna chicken out?” taunted Brad, his eyes gleaming devilishly.
“No, I am not,” she replied testily. “But I do remember some mention of Molly doing her therapy at home.”
“Rylan wanted to rent equipment and hire a therapist so that she could be here. She and her doctors were against it. Our insurance won’t pay for treatment unless she has it at an authorized facility and she was adamant about not spending the extra money.”
“The doctors probably knew she wouldn’t concentrate on therapy if she came home,” she added, tucking her wayward hair behind her ear. She’d seen her hair claw peeking out of Rylan’s shirt pocket but hadn’t wanted to ask for it.
“You got it,” said Brad. “At the hospital she can devote all her time and energy to walking again.”
Callie sighed deeply. Her being here was for the best. Rylan would have to accept the fact but that didn’t mean he’d like it.
“Oh hell.”
The wealth of frustration in her succinct words had Brad roaring with laughter again. She glared at him, doubled up her fist and shook it in front of his face.
He choked off his laughter and grabbed her fist in one large hand. “How many times have you been told you’ll break your thumb if you make a fist this way? Never wrap your fingers around the thumb or you’ll get yourself a broken digit.”
“Providing I ever get the opportunity to hit someone hard enough to break bones,” she quipped, her good nature restored by his teasing.
“God forbid.”
“God and Rylan,” she corrected, slipping easily into the banter that was an integral part of their relationship.
There was no telling how many times the two of them had teamed up against Rylan for one reason or the other. They’d never thought it unfair because they figured Rylan had the Big Man on his side.
“God and Rylan,” Brad conceded, returning her grin. “What would you say to a cold drink and someplace comfortable to prop your feet?”
“Sounds heavenly,” she retorted, tongue in cheek.
Brad groaned at her stupid pun “That settles it. You can get your own cold drink. I hate to run out on you but I need to go and tend a sick cow. You’ll have to make yourself at home until the guys get back.”
“I’m not sure I like playing second fiddle to a cow but I suppose I can manage.”
He gave her a smile, hooked an arm around her neck and pulled her closer for a swift kiss. “It really is good to have you here.”
Callie hugged him tightly. The two of them had weathered some pretty intense emotional storms together and her feelings for him were complex.
“It’s good to be here.”
“Nothing much has changed in the house. Mary Peters comes a couple times a week to clean, cook and do laundry for us. I had her get your old room ready so feel free to crash for a while.”
“I just might do that.” She was weary. She’d been too wired to sleep much before making the trip and those last couple hours had drained what was left of her strength.
They said goodbye and Callie watched him head for the barnyard. He climbed into a black pickup truck with an extended cab and a cap that protected his equipment.
She smiled and waved as he drove down the road. Once alone she took another good look around the property. It was all achingly familiar—the long broad porch with its collection of furniture, the expanse of lawn shaded by ancient trees, the many barns, grain bins and corrals portioned off by board fences.
Breathing deeply, she inhaled the unique scents of the Masterson ranch. The smell of the horses, hay and the pansies that always surrounded the porch were synonymous with the sweetest memories of her life.
The big, white, two-storied house with black shutters on long windows hadn’t changed on the surface. Callie wondered if Molly had changed much of the inside decor. She opened the door to have a look.
The wide front hallway was dark and cool compared to outdoors. The left side of the first floor was mainly comprised of the ranch office, formal dining room and kitchen. A doorway to the right framed the entrance to the family living area. It was one big, long room with a large collection of comfortable furniture, an extensive entertainment center and a huge, open fireplace.
Some of the furnishings were different yet the color scheme was still earth-toned mixtures of browns, oranges and yellows. The wide-screen TV was a new addition, as was a very large leather recliner that nearly shouted at Callie. She was thirsty but she decided to pass up a drink long enough to prop up her aching feet.
The leather crackled as she eased her tired body into its plush depths. The scent of leather and spice reminded her of Rylan. With a flick of a handle on the right the entire chair tilted backward and she sighed as she kicked off her shoes and stretched out in comfort. She would just close her eyes for a minute…
* * * * *
Rylan found her there a couple hours later when he returned from collecting her car. Leave it to Callie to make herself at home in his favorite chair, he thought as his gaze roamed from the wild spill of sable hair down the voluptuous curves of her body to the painted tips of her toes. His cock stirred to full attention again. It had been at half-mast since he’d pulled it from her tight body. The passion they’d shared had whetted his appetite. He wanted more. Lots more, and he would have it. No strings attached this time, just pure carnal pleasure.
His perusal slowed on the return trip for a rare study of her facial features at sleep. Her eyes were wide-set and heavily lashed. The lashes rested on a sweep of softly rounded cheeks over high bones. A small, slightly pointed nose had turned pink from exposure to the sun. His intent study halted at her mouth.
She’d always been a te
mpting mixture of innocence and provocation. He’d forgotten what it was like to have her near—both exhilarating and infuriating. He could have done without the reminder. His life had been fairly uneventful the past few years and he liked it that way. When Callie was around chaos reigned.
Now that he’d had a little time to come to terms with her unexpected arrival he’d decided to accept the fact that she was here to stay a while. Chuck and Sammy were excited about having her. They badly missed their mom even though they’d die before admitting it. Callie would be good company for them. She was young, energetic and fun-loving.
Maybe if he sated himself with her he’d finally be able to get her out of his system.
Her casual, disheveled beauty was too much of a temptation. He reached out a hand and slipped it between her thighs, cupping her warm mound.
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty, wake up.”
She didn’t immediately open her eyes but Rylan knew the instant she woke and felt his touch. She shifted her legs restlessly, arching slightly against his massaging hand. He dipped his fingers under the hem of her shorts and found springy, soft curls. Then he delved deeper and heard her hiss of surprise.
“Rylan!”
His gaze returned to the enticing curves of her lips with masochistic fascination. They were sensually full, delicately bowed and as ripe as forbidden fruit. He wished he didn’t know how soft, sweet and responsive they could be. If he had to endure an entire summer with her in residence then he couldn’t let her get to him so easily. He reminded himself that even the most seductive lips could lie.
Her betrayal had cost him too much pain and too many sleepless nights. Memories of their shattered relationship had destroyed his faith in love and his ability to trust. Youthful dreams had been crushed. He’d stopped dreaming about forever. These days he contented himself with carnal satisfaction.
“The only way I’ll tolerate you under my roof is if you promise me hot, uninhibited sex whenever and wherever I want it.”
“How charming,” she snapped but then she caught her breath as he plunged two fingers deep inside her. He rotated them, stroking her clit with his thumb until she was lifting her hips and grinding herself against his hand. He watched her toes curl. When her muscles clenched around his fingers his cock throbbed, straining against the denim of his jeans. He wanted to bury himself in her again.
“There’s no Prince Charming here,” he declared roughly, knowing Brad fit that description better than he ever would.
“So all I get is the king of torment?” She panted the question.
“You’re complaining?” he asked, increasing the pressure of his caresses until she was too breathless to respond. He watched, fascinated, as her eyes closed and her face went tight with tension. She moaned and her nipples were hard knots under her shirt. He leaned over and latched on to one with his mouth, sucking hard while his fingers plunged deeper. Callie cried out and he felt her orgasm rip through her body. Her responsiveness amazed him as she shook with the force of it. Her thighs tightened around his hand as her legs went stiffer but he didn’t let up the pressure. He continued to pinch and suck and stroke her hot depths until he felt a second orgasm hit her. The pleasure of watching her was so intense that he almost came in his jeans.
“Stop!” She used both hands to push him away and then leaned back until she’d regained some control. He stomped on the footrest, sitting her upright with a jolt.
After a few long, tension-filled minutes she tugged her clothes into order and rose from the chair. It took both her hands to shove the hair off her face while she searched the floor for her shoes. After she’d stepped into the sandals she finally brought her gaze back to him.
“I know the ranch has always been a vacation home for you,” he said. “It’s a great place for kids but you never stayed long enough to see the downside of living thirty miles from the nearest town. If you end up being sorry you’ve committed yourself to the whole summer then don’t feel obligated to stay.”
“I want you to know that I didn’t do any scheming behind your back,” she told him in an equally serious tone. Then she had to shift her gaze. “I honestly had no idea you were gone and I assumed you knew about the arrangement.”
“What’s done is done,” he said, “but you stay on my terms.”
“Sex.” She glanced at the front of his jeans. The blush that had been receding flared again. “What about you?”
“I wouldn’t object to being sucked on for a while,” he said arrogantly.
Her pink tongue came out to lick full lips and more blood scorched its way to his groin.
“Your brothers,” she replied faintly.
“Gone to town for pizza.” As the words left his mouth his hands dropped to his belt. He watched her watching him in fascination as he dropped his pants and shorts. His cock sprang forward in enthusiastic release. “Be my guest,” he growled.
Callie’s eyes darkened with renewed passion. Then she amazed him by dropping to her knees in front of him. His legs trembled. Any sex they’d shared in the past had been strictly conventional. He’d never felt her mouth on him. The thought of it made him so hard he ached. When she tentatively touched him with her tongue his knees almost buckled. He’d never expected her to play with him but she did, lapping and lashing and teasing his taut flesh until he thought he’d go crazy if she didn’t give him more. He heard a groan rumble from his chest. Then he grasped two handfuls of her thick hair and urged her closer.
When she finally took him deep into her mouth and against her throat he thought he would explode. She used her lips and tongue and teeth to lick him, stroke him, suck him. Her fingers found his balls, gently caressing until they drew up tight into his body. His cock swelled, blood pulsing through his veins in a fever pitch of excitement. She made him so damn hot that he couldn’t stop shuddering. Then she brought him to a release that staggered his breathing. Pleasure ripped up his spine as she sucked him dry and brought him to his knees.
Rylan wrapped his arms around Callie and clutched her tightly against his chest, using her as an anchor while his world spun. They clung to each other for several long minutes, chests heaving in exertion.
When he finally regained some control he glared at her furiously. “Who the hell taught you how to do that?”
She blinked at him owlishly. “I don’t suppose you’d believe it’s my first time?”
The lie made him even more furious. “Hell no! He rose to his feet and drew her up with him. “Do I have fool written on my forehead?” They glared at each other for a few tension-filled seconds but she didn’t offer any explanations. He cursed himself for asking or caring then jerked his pants back up and fastened them.
“Why are you really here? Are you just at loose ends this summer?”
“I have some free time right now and I wanted to come.”
“I thought you were getting a master’s degree in art education so that you could teach at the college level,” he said. “Are you just biding time until fall?”
“I never intended to teach college classes.”
“You’re going to teach high school?” He could understand that sort of a career and he knew that a master’s degree greatly increased the pay scale for teachers.
“No.”
“Then what? What good is a degree in art except to teach it to somebody else?”
“There are lots of uses for it.”
“Such as?”
“I could work at a museum. There’s always a need for curators in the east. I could also pursue a career in painting, sculpting, ceramics or several other forms of creative art.”
“But?” he drawled, watching her frown at his persistence.
“I’m really thirsty,” she declared, turning swiftly toward the door and heading for the kitchen.
Chapter Three
Rylan followed closely as she made her way down the hallway to the back of the house. She crossed the kitchen, grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water. Then she drank thir
stily.
He opened the refrigerator and got a can of beer. “So what are your plans for the rest of your life?” he demanded, leaning against the doorjamb while he drank and watched her every move.
Callie gave him a frown. She should have known he wouldn’t let the subject drop. He could be merciless if he wanted information. She wasn’t going to accommodate him. She wasn’t ready to share her plans with anyone at this point. She’d spent the last two years researching and preparing to follow her dreams but she knew once they were disclosed she’d have to field a barrage of objections.
“Callie?”
Something about the way he said her name made her heart trip. His deep voice had an almost hypnotic effect on her senses. It had always been that way.
She shook off the feeling and forced coolness to her tone. “There’s really nothing to discuss, Rylan. I’m just here to help. My only immediate plan is for a nice, cool shower.”
His eyes narrowed at her dismissive tone. He crushed the empty can and tossed it toward the trash. “In that case I think we can share. I need one too.”
“Won’t someone be home soon?”
“They can mind their own business. If you stay we’ll be having lots of sex. They’ll just have to get used to it.”
Callie rolled her eyes in disbelief. Despite his bald assertion, she knew better. He’d always been a strict disciplinarian when it came to his younger brothers. She’d heard him lecturing them on many occasions about how a man should treat a woman. He preached respect and restraint although he’d shown her very little of either since she’d arrived. His bluff was a blatant attempt to scare her away.
“You’re lying. You know you’re their role model and you’d never encourage them to accept casual sex.”
He watched her with unwavering scrutiny. “Is that what you call it? Casual sex?”
There was nothing casual about the way she wanted him. He might think of her as a tramp yet no other man had ever enticed her to behave like such a wanton. He made her lose her head, throw caution to the wind and turn into someone she hardly recognized. The power he had over her was equally frightening and thrilling.
A Cowboy's Charm Page 3
