by Vivian Arend
Tom glared harder. “What the hell were you pumping into the cattle the other day? Gold?”
He shoved the clipboard across the desk so hard it slammed into her legs, and she had to scramble to catch it. A quick glance showed it was the invoice sheet she’d authorized Callie to put together for Sean Dalton. “What’s the problem? Did you find a mistake in the math?”
“You know damn well the computer program does all of the calculating,” he snapped. “It’s the initial cost of the inoculation.” His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “If I find out you’ve been padding the bills and pocketing the money…”
Oh, hell no. Melody was not putting up with that baloney. “Don’t start with me. If that’s a straight-up accusation, you go right ahead, but I will not stand for—”
Tom tapped the bill as he interrupted. “The last time I did inoculations, they were a good sixty cents cheaper per animal.”
“They probably were, because you used last year’s methods. There’s been an update, and we can provide three things at the same time.” She spun the clipboard around and pushed it back toward him, drawing a finger along the fine line that showed the contents of the shots.
“And that’s just as effective?” Tom grumbled for a moment, settling back in his chair, most of his bluster fading away. “I suppose it is. You learn that this last year at school?”
“Partly. Plus I got some advanced papers from one of my profs and I’ve been in contact with the company producing the drugs.” She didn’t want to be nice, especially after he’d been a complete jackass, but she was in charge, and Mathis would expect her to try to get along. “I can send you the article if you want to read it.”
All she got was a grunt.
For Mathis. She pointed at the columns in the ledger. “It does look more expensive than last year, I agree.”
“There’s no way any of these ranchers want to spend more money, especially when you start adding it up per head.”
Tom was back to complaining, and Melody wasn’t sure she could keep smiling for much longer. Trying to explain anything to a person who didn’t want to listen in the first place was tough enough. Add in that she suspected he had limited mathematical skills…
Still, she tried.
“It does add up, but in the long run it’s cheaper because they don’t have to get us out as many times and pay our visitation fee. It’s just the initial cost that seems high. And you’re right, it could be a shock the first time, which is why we need to make sure before we go out that the information is there.”
“But Sean Dalton didn’t know ahead of time, did he?”
He would have, in a perfect world, but of course with everything else that had gone wrong that day, Melody had completely forgotten to point out she was using a new method along with all the benefits. “We send a note along with the bill. Explain this means one less visit from us over the year. You know with these ranchers it’s the bottom line that counts.”
Tom made another noise before pulling out some other paperwork and ignoring her altogether, and that seemed to be the end of the conversation. Fine by Melody, because she didn’t want to talk to him anymore either.
She stepped to the front desk to grab the roster for the afternoon.
“Melody,” someone exclaimed, the summons accompanied by a gentle woof.
Lady was too well trained to lurch at Melody, but her tail wagged rapidly as she sat at attention at the feet of Susan Paule, head administrator of the Rocky Mountain Seniors’ Home.
“Oh, hey. Good to see you both.” Melody walked around the desk, squatting to pet Lady. “How’s she been doing?”
She checked the dog quickly as Susan hurried to assure her. “Wonderfully. I brought her in for her booster shots like you mentioned I should after we got her registered.”
Right. She’d forgotten it would be this soon. Melody brushed a hand over Lady’s furry body. “She looks happy.”
“I think she is. And she fits in beautifully at the home. Thank you so much for bringing her to us—the residents love her.” Susan rose to her feet along with Melody, leaning around to speak to Callie at the front desk. “Is it okay if Melody does Lady’s checkup?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t have time,” Melody protested. “I just stopped at the clinic for a minute to grab some materials, and I need to get back out into the field.”
Susan smiled. “Well, anytime you want to come for a visit, you’re always welcome.”
A small hand caught hold of Melody’s wrist and tugged. She looked down into dark brown eyes of one of the younger residents of Rocky Mountain House. She scrambled to remember his name.
His chin quivered. “You’re not going to look at Hopper?”
She glanced into the waiting-room area where his three smaller siblings were lined up in chairs, each with a rabbit in their lap. For the first time that day, her smile was genuine. “What a lovely-looking family of bunnies. But no, I won’t be checking them today because I have some cows that asked me to visit them first. Dr. Tom will take care of you and your pets.”
The little guy made a face then nodded and went back to his seat.
The warning alarm she’d set on her watch went off, counting down to her next appointment. Melody gave the kids and Susan a final wave, grabbed the information needed for the afternoon from Callie, and headed back to prepare the medications she needed to take with her.
She ignored Tom who stood in the open door of the office, staring into the lobby, his expression unreadable.
Grumpy bastard. Hopefully he wasn’t planning on being an ass the entire time Mathis was out of town.
Fortunately for her, one of her afternoon stops was back at the Moonshine Coleman ranch. She followed the directions she’d been given that led her to a small outbuilding with a neat fence enclosure. Steve moved toward her, his grey T-shirt encasing muscles that simply wouldn’t quit, and she found herself heating up just watching him saunter closer. She hurried out the door so she didn’t miss a moment of admiring the way his biceps bulged the fabric of his sleeves, his thigh muscles tight to the faded jeans wrapped around his legs.
Every inch mouthwatering delicious. Nope, she’d never had an issue with the packaging, and the treatment she’d gotten over the past week and a bit had been a heck of a lot more mature than she remembered.
As he drew closer, her gaze drifted up and met his eyes. Dark and intoxicating. So addictive she couldn’t look away.
He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing, kissing her firmly before breaking it off and offering a steamy grin. “Hey, lady. You want to come for a ride with me?”
One of his exaggerated leers followed, and she laughed. “I don’t see any horses,” she teased.
“Now if that’s not an invitation to start singing ‘Save A Horse’, I don’t know what is.”
He’d already started humming the tune as she pushed on his shoulders to get him to release her. “You’re a bad boy. No singing or riding right now. And you need to put me down.”
He lowered her, backing up only a few inches instead of a few feet like she’d hoped. “Sweetheart, you keep that complaining up, and I’ll think you’re shy or something.”
“It’s not that,” Melody insisted, glancing around to see if any of his brothers were about to pop out of the woodwork. “I told you before, it’s not professional for you to be kissing and hugging me in public.”
Steve paused as if thinking it through then shook his head. “Nope. I can’t wrap my brain around that one. You’ll have to explain it a little more thoroughly.”
She rolled her eyes. “Look, you never offered to kiss Mathis when he showed up to take care of your animals.”
He laughed. “No, but that’s because I don’t swing that way. If he were ten years younger and I had a thing for guys, maybe. He’s not a bad fellow overall, but that has nothing to do with me giving you a kiss when I see you.”
“It has everything to do with you not kissing m
e when you see me,” she insisted.
“Now let me take a hard think on this.” Steve narrowed his eyes and counted off on his fingers. “Considering the people I know and respect the most, seems when my mom and dad meet it doesn’t matter what they’ve been doing or how long they’ve been apart, I always see him give her a peck. Same goes for my Uncle Mike and Aunt Marion. And I won’t tell you what shenanigans go on any time Travis meets up with one of his partners.”
“But that’s different. They’re not datin—” Melody slammed her lips together as his expression changed from joking to far more serious.
“Ah, you’re making some smartass comment about the fact they’ve been together for a long time, and we haven’t.” He gave her a stern glare. “In fact, when it comes down to it, you and I have been together longer then Travis has with his partners.”
Melody shifted uncomfortably from side to side. “Okay, maybe it’s just me, but I feel as if public displays of affection are something I should avoid. I’m having enough trouble since Mathis left convincing people I’m competent at my job, I don’t need to have them focusing on the horrid, terrible fact that I’m a—gasp—woman.”
One brow rose as Steve started at her toes and examined every inch of her, lingering on her breasts long enough to make her want to squirm. No matter how much she tried to avoid it, the obvious pleasure on his face sent tingles racing through her.
He finally looked her in the eye again, a happy grin breaking free. “They’d have to be blind and stupid to not be aware that you’re a woman. I don’t think me giving you a kiss is going to change that.”
“Doesn’t mean I want to rub it in their faces.”
He caved slightly. “What about a compromise?”
Her lips twisted. “If you’re about to suggest kisses with no tongue, I don’t think that’s a big enough compromise.”
“How about for every orgasm I give you, you owe me one kiss in public.”
Damn, he got her attention with that one. The temptation to accept was there, but mostly because he was too charming in this mood to resist. Still, she clung to common sense. “Steve, this isn’t a good idea.”
“You don’t like orgasms? Strange. I could have thought differently, what with all the screaming yes, yes, yes that was going on the last time we fooled around.”
True on that one. Melody caught hold of the front of his shirt, twisting her hands in the fabric and tugging hard. He willingly bent until their eyes were on the same level.
“Hell if I can say no to you,” Melody complained. She stuck her finger in his face. “But you started this rash plan, and I’m holding you to it. One kiss for every orgasm, no more, and we start counting now.”
“That seems unfair,” Steve teased. “I don’t get even get credit for one kiss after last week?”
Melody let go of his shirt and smoothed the fabric, enjoying running her hands over his body far too much. “Well, I suppose I’ll give you credit for one kiss.”
Steve cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her head back, moving in close. Anticipation rose, but instead of pressing their lips together, he brushed his thumb over her lower lip. “One kiss on file, it is. I’ll be sure to redeem it as soon as I’m ready.”
Her sheer disappointment must have shown, but at the same time, it was fun to not be able to guess what was coming next. It added something to their relationship, and it made her warm inside.
That’s when it struck—this was about her contributions as well. So far, Steve had been incredible. In fact he’d been the one who’d gone out of his way to deal with her schedule and issues.
If this was going to work, really work, she needed to give as well. Maybe Steve needed a little knocking off balance. A little giving to…
“Where’s my patient?” she asked as ideas raced through her brain.
He tilted his head toward the small lean-to. “In the corral.”
It didn’t take long for Melody to finish her work, and Steve was about to escort her back to her truck when she paused, stretching her arms above her head.
Irresistible temptation. He took a slow perusal from top to bottom all over again, thrilled he was allowed to not only admire from a distance, but had the privilege of getting up close and personal as well. His life was damn fine these days—as long as she was feeling the same way about him.
Only the expression she turned on him didn’t make for an easy answer. Something in her eyes made him pause. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
Melody took a look around, head tilted to one side. “Where’s the rest of the family?”
“Back at the ranch house or the barns, and Lee is in the southwest fields.” He offered her a grin. “Technically, I can kiss you without it costing me anything. We’re definitely not in public.”
She hummed. “I had something else in mind.”
“Why does that sound dirty? Or am I being hopeful?”
“Oh, you’re being hopeful, but sometimes even optimists get Christmas in July.” She caught him by the hand and pulled him toward the lean-to, directing him until he was leaning against the rough wooden boards.
“Now who’s being bossy?” he asked, smirking at her determined expression, his body reacting in interest at the sexual innuendo. If she wanted to do something raunchy, he was all for it.
Melody pressed one palm against his chest as if she were locking him in place. “Tell me now if you don’t want me to have my wicked way with you.”
“First, I’m not stupid, and second I’m not a liar.” He wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but hell if he wanted her to stop. “I’m at your mercy.”
Famous last words. Whatever had lit a fire under her, Melody was red-hot and willing to burn.
“You don’t mind if I do a little exploring, do you?” Her hands were on his T-shirt, lifting it upward to expose his abdomen and chest. Another happy sound escaped her as she traced her fingers over his stomach muscles. “You are so gorgeous.”
She leaned forward and slid her tongue along the ridges of his abdomen, and his body was alert and reacting. His cock had gone hard, crowding the front of his jeans as he willed her hands lower to set him free.
He could’ve wished for the moon. Instead of giving him breathing room, she stole his mind for the next ten minutes, kissing her way up his torso, sliding her fingers over his nipples before licking and using her teeth.
Her hands and nails moved constantly, teasing and scratching and making him mad with desire until he had to grit his teeth and press his palms to the wooden wall behind him. It was the only way to keep from catching hold of her and changing her agenda to one that matched the speed he’d like to go. Hard. Fast.
Right fucking now.
She paused, tilting her head back to gaze at him, mischief dancing in her eyes. “You doing okay?” she asked.
“Just peachy,” he lied, his hips pulsing forward involuntarily as her hands grazed his belly.
“That’s good.” One hundred percent trouble in her attitude. “Because I’d hate to have you suffering. You’ve been so kind and generous taking care of me, I thought maybe I should return the favour.”
He shouldn’t have let images of her lips wrapped around his cock leap to mind. It only made the waiting more unbearable.
“You want to be in charge?” he double-checked, just on the off chance he’d misunderstood her.
She dashed his hopes. “Oh, I’m totally in charge.”
This time. Only this time, and thank God that meant she was finally undoing his buckle and zipper, pulling his cock free and wrapping her fingers around the shaft as she squeezed expertly.
“Please tell me you intend to get me off.”
If she wanted him to beg, at this point he had no objections. He’d get revenge for it later, but right now his vision blurred as she moved her hand with enough pressure to set him trembling.
“I’ll get you off,” she promised.
And before he could ask any more questions, she lowered herself to the ground,
sliding to her knees between his legs as she tugged his jeans and boxers to his thighs. His erection snapped upright, its hard length hitting his belly. When he looked down, his cock rose as the lone barrier between them.
A drop of fluid already clung to the head, and she leaned forward, her tongue darting out to lap it up. The movement was kitten soft and irresistibly sexy. He wanted to close his eyes to enjoy every sensation more fully. He needed to keep his eyes open to admire every move she made as she explored.
Melody tilted her head back and smiled seductively as she licked her lips, and a shiver of lust tore through him.
“Take me in your mouth,” he demanded, threading his fingers through her hair and bringing her closer.
“Hmm, in time.” She lapped at the head of his cock, tormenting him with the promise of more. She licked along the underside of his cock, the heat of her mouth burning him, slick moisture coating him and drawing his balls tight to his body. Melody soaked him enthusiastically before adjusting her stance.
She tugged at his hips, and he followed her command, standing away from the wall. Scalding heat covered him as Melody engulfed his cock, her fingers digging into his ass cheeks as she controlled the speed, the depth. The girth of his erection stretching her lips as she pressed her nose closer to his groin.
She drew back slowly, applying wicked suction, and he throbbed in the best way possible. Maybe throbbed a tad too much.
“Hell, yeah. So frickin’ good.” Steve tightened his thigh and ass muscles in an attempt to fight the urgent need to thrust. She worked him over as if this blowjob was the best thing in her entire world, and nothing was going to distract her from her task.
Everything about her turned him on. Everything she did drove him to the breaking point. His body was screaming for him to catch her up off her knees and find a flat surface to lay her on.
She slid down his length, taking him all the way to the back of her throat, and in spite of her barely having touched him, Steve couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Fuck.” He caught her head in his hands and pried her off his cock, snatched her up and stomped all of four feet to the rail fence surrounding the corral. “Hold the top rail and stand on the bottom one,” he ordered.
