Why had he been downstairs that night? Did he really care that much? The thought made her shiver with an anticipation that scared her. She was definitely falling for Hank and she knew it. But how did he feel?
Sure, he kissed her like a man supping water in a dry desert, but maybe he kissed all women like that. He certainly hadn't said anything about how he felt.
Maybe he wasn't there, maybe she dreamed him there. But she remembered the goose bumps, and the fast beat of his heart against her, and those kisses were better than any imagined.
She went inside the barn and Caleb was working.
"Well, young lady, heard about your daring do." Caleb chuckled.
"Who told you?" She laughed comfortably.
"Just about every cowboy on this ranch, that's who, wasn't a one of them that you didn't scare the heck out of."
Letty laughed. "I really didn't mean to scare anyone. I wanted to make Thunder my horse, that's all."
"You better shed that gleam in your eyes. You ain't getting near that animal, again. He all got order from Wade, personally to see you don't." Caleb eyed her.
"No…not until my arm heals at least." She laughed again.
Caleb shook his head. "Got orders from Wade Weston himself that no one is to ride that horse but him, his brother and Hank. You ain't on that list, young lady."
Letty nodded. "I've heard."
"But you ain't payin' attention, are you?" he asked.
"You don't think I've learned my lesson?" she asked.
"One can only hope." Caleb rubbed his nose with his finger.
She smiled again.
"I was bored, restless, didn't have anything to do. But I won't do it again. I promise." She moved away and stared at the horse that wouldn't be rode.
"He's such a beauty, I wanted him for myself," she admitted. "He's got such spirit."
"He does have that. But Miss Letty, sometimes it's not in the cards."
Letty whirled around to look at him. "What did you say?"
"Don't think that will happen," he said.
She stared at him long and hard and left.
She wasn't as strong as she thought; her trip to the barn wore her out so she headed back to the house. When she got there, she sat on the porch. She spotted Hank in the distance, working with another horse and she watched him until Julie pulled up in the drive.
"Well, feeling better?" Julie smiled. She wore a pair of shorts and a colorful shirt. She had jewelry on her wrist, and make-up on her face, and she looked so happy, it made Letty envious.
"A little." She nodded, realizing she hadn't taken much pains with herself since the accident.
"It's good that you are up and about. You had a rough few days." Julie stared at her as she sat beside her in another rocker.
"I did?" Letty asked as she turned her attention from Hank to Julie. Letting the afternoon breeze filter over her she tried to relax, unable to find a comfortable position.
"Well, most of the time I was here, you were out of it, but yeah. You were in a lot of pain." Julie leaned back in the rocking chair and stared out at the men working in the corral.
"That's easing up, but this contraption he's got on my arm is beginning to itch like the devil," Letty complained.
"Leave it alone, am I gonna have to ramrod you?" Julie asked.
"Maybe…" Letty laughed.
"Whatever possessed you to try and ride that horse?" Julie stared at her sister and moved her sunglasses down her nose.
Letty sighed and leaned in the chair; moving around was painful so she let her body gently settle into the rocking chair on its own.
"I don't know. I've been intrigued with that horse ever since I've come home. You know I was always wild about horses. I thought I could tame it. I wanted it to be mine."
"Why don't you have one of the boys pick you a mount out?" Julie suggested.
"Because they would pick one out like Whitey who acts too old to move. He has no spirit. It's not fun to ride like that. I want Thunder…" she insisted.
"Well, that's not going to happen, little sister," Julie insisted. "And tame is what you need right now, so remember that."
"Julie, you can't go through life never taking a chance on anything. That's just too boring," Letty cried.
"You know, you always were a risk-taker. I remember how Dad used to scold you when you'd do something like this. Maybe it's a good thing he isn't around now."
Letty glanced at her. "I've had enough scoldings for a while."
"I'm sorry, honey; I just don't want you hurt." Julie looked straight at her.
"I know…but it sure takes the fun out of things." Letty tried to smile at her. "I'm not a safe kind of person. I like to take risks, Julie. That's nothing new with me."
"Did you know that Hank slept in a chair in the kitchen all night, the night you were hurt?" Julie asked.
Letty's head jerked about to stare at Julie. "He did?"
"Yes, he did. Cade sent him home that next day to get some rest." Julie smiled at her surprised sister. "He wouldn't go until he was sure you were taken care of."
"I wonder why he bothered." Letty tried to shrug it off, but she couldn't hide her feelings from Julie and she knew it.
"I think you know the answer to that, and so do the rest of us." Julie laughed. "Honey, you are an open book. One look into those beautiful eyes of yours and everyone knows how you feel about things."
"It's not like that, Julie. Hank just felt responsible." She cast a glance at the corral once more, enjoying the sight of Hank working.
"I didn't see any of the other cowboys spending the night in the kitchen," Julie insisted.
Letty glanced at her and tried to hide a smile on her face, but she couldn't.
"So…there is something going on there. I thought so, so did Cade," Julie informed her.
The fact that she hadn't dreamed Hank in the kitchen with her elated Letty more than she knew. He had kissed her again, from worry, concern, or just simply guilt, but he had kissed her.
And Hank didn't do things halfway. When he kissed a woman, she was thoroughly and completely kissed, Letty decided with a sigh.
When Letty didn't say anything, Julie shook her head., "So, are you going to tell me what is going on with you two, or will I have to fill in the blanks myself?"
Letty chuckled. "Nothing. Nothing is going on. He felt guilty about me riding the horse, that's all."
"Oh no, it isn't all. I can see it in your eyes when you look at the man. Give, little sister…"
Letty hung her head with a smile on her face. "It's all just wishful thinking on my side, Julie. I mean…the man kissed me…several times, but there's nothing there. He won't even introduce me to his grandmother. How can I possibly have a relationship with a man that won't introduce me to his grandma?"
Julie chuckled. "So, you do care."
Letty shrugged her shoulders and then nearly screamed with pain from her arm.
Julie reached over and touched her hand. "I know it hurts, honey."
"I'll mend."
"That might, but your heart is another thing. I think there is something there if he has kissed you…several times." Julie laughed.
Letty's smile disappeared. "Even if there was something between us, he wouldn't let it get out of hand. He thinks I'm too good for him. I'm a McKay. And even though Dad is gone, and so are all the rules he set up, Hank's abiding by them. He's too old fashioned. Too stubborn."
"So, being a McKay is keeping the two of you apart?" Julie frowned.
"That's it in a nutshell…" Letty sighed.
"And you've just totally given up?"
"Well, what can I do? It's his problem, not mine," she cried.
"Letty McKay, I've never heard you give up on a man so easily. Do you love him?"
Letty stared at her sister, and then glanced at Hank in the distance. "How can I answer that question? I've never even had a date with him."
"That doesn't mean anything. Do you have feelings for him?"
; "Yeah…"
Julie stopped rocking and glared at her. "Since when do you let something interfere with what you want? Since when do you pay any attention at all to Dad's rules? Dad's gone, Letty. He doesn't rule us anymore. If you love Hank, then you go after him and don't stop until you've got him at the altar."
"My God, Julie…have you ever changed." Letty tried to laugh. "As I recall you had a time facing your feelings too."
"You're right, it's hard to remember those days now." Julie chuckled.
Julie broke out in a huge smile. A smile of contentment, Letty noted.
"Finding the right man is the best thing in the world, Letty. Don't let that McKay pride get in your way. If Hank is right for you, then you go after him. Love is the greatest thing in the world and all the money in the world can't replace it. I should know. I've never been happier in my life, Letty. Never…."
Letty stared at Julie and smiled. "I can see that. And I'm happy for you, honey. You deserve it."
"And I can see something in your eyes when you look at Hank, Letty. It's love. Don't let it get away from you. Don't waste time, honey, it's just too precious."
Letty glanced at Hank once more. "But Julie, it's not me that is keeping us apart. It's him."
"Then you are just going to have to make him see. Break down all those old barriers that Dad put up and make your own rules."
"And how do I do that?"
"I'm not sure, let me think on it a while, and I'll get back to you. Now, is there anything I can get for you, I'm going to town tomorrow so let me know, okay." Julie stood up and helped Letty out of the chair.
"Not unless you can get this thing off of me," she suggested.
"Leave that alone, young lady. And don't forget I'm driving you to the doctor on Friday."
"Okay…" Letty gave one last glance at the corral and moved to go into the house.
If Hank really cared about her, he'd have to be the one to say so.
Chapter Eight
Two weeks later, Letty was feeling much better, but she still couldn't do all the things she wanted. Her arm was still in a sling, and still hurt, her ribs had mended but she hadn't regained a lot of her strength back, she was losing weight and having headaches and it all came to a head one day in the barn.
Restricted to riding Old Whitey, she was trying desperately to put a saddle on him when Hank walked in.
Embarrassed that tears streamed down her face, she wouldn't face him at first.
"What in heaven's name are you doing?" he asked as he caught her and gently pulled her about to face him.
Ashamed for her weakness, she turned her head away. "I wanted to ride Whitey, but I can't get the saddle on him."
"Why didn't you ask for some help?" he demanded.
"I thought I could at least do this. But everything I try to do for myself lately…I just feel so helpless."
"Hey," Hank's voice softened as a finger lifted her chin so he could see into her tear-stained eyes. "Any time you need help, just ask. I'll be there. So dry those beautiful eyes."
"I'm a grown woman; I shouldn't need help getting on a horse," she explained, the tears rolling down her cheek unchecked.
"Most of the time, that's correct, but not now. I guess you never broke an arm before. Now come on, I'll help you," he insisted. "Everyone needs help once and a while."
Letty turned back to the horse, swiped her eyes and watched as Hank put the saddle on, cinched it and turned to look at her.
"Where are you headed?" he asked.
"Just thought I would go for a ride," she managed weakly. "I've been kind of cooped up for a while. Need to get some fresh air. And quit feeling sorry for myself."
"Okay, then I'll go with you," he insisted.
"I don't need your help!" she hollered, turning away. "You have your own job, and I'm not part of that."
He turned her back around and stared into her eyes. "No…you're wrong, I'm a big part of that. But right now…you need this…" And then his lips fastened onto hers so quickly she didn't know what hit her.
How did his big, warm body fuse itself so quickly to hers?
How did her curves fit his so comfortably? How come her lips were butter soft when he kissed her? And how would he ever get enough of her?
He heard her whimper, and his lips smiled against hers, as he pulled her fully into his arms, being careful not to hurt her arm, but cradling her there. He molded her to him, until only material separated them.
She sighed and relaxed in his arms, as he played with her bottom lip, pulling at it, then caressing it into soft submission.
He kissed her for long and breathless moments, assuaging the ache within himself, knowing this was what he wanted ever since the first night she was hurt. He needed her in his arms, knowing she was alright; knowing she was his for the moment seemed enough.
Things weren't going like they should, he told himself. He wasn't supposed to drown into this woman every time he kissed her. He wasn't supposed to ache with the need of her. But he did, and somehow he had to put a stop to the needs she produced in him.
She was a McKay and nothing could come of loving her. He told himself that every day, and every day he ached a little more to be with her. Just seeing her every day made him want to make love with her. But seeing those crocodile tears in her eyes, and her own prideful stubbornness, he ached to comfort her. He needed to protect her from all harm, even tears.
Why this woman? He asked himself that every day too. He'd disciplined himself against falling for a woman that was above his own means. Letty McKay would be a rich woman, a very rich woman, but that wasn't what he wanted. He didn't care about her money, he wanted her, and yet it wasn't possible. She led one life, he led another. What could he offer her? But all these arguments were lost the minute he touched her.
He didn't want to think about that though while he held her in his arms. He wanted to enjoy loving her even if it was just for a while. Letty McKay was like Thunder itself, wild, free, and so adorably attractive he couldn't keep his mind or heart away from her. She stole his thinking. Stole his heart.
But right now, here in the barn, away from the rest of the world, he wanted to make her his. He felt the heat from their bodies, felt the pounding of her heart. He smelled the sweetness of her, like jasmines and he heard her little throaty moans as he kissed her into submission. His tongue darted deep inside her mouth, supping her sweetness, a taste he would remember forever. And she swooned at his needs of her. He felt her hold him tighter. He felt her breast come alive against his chest, and his hands itched to hold them, caress them and kiss them. And then he felt himself come alive. She moaned raggedly as his lips moved against her neck and down to the valley of her shirt. His breathing was harsh like a man barely in control. He kissed the edge of her breast, his nose nudging her shirt away. He was moments of taking what she offered so willingly.
With just a flicker of his thumb, he could delve into her pert little aggravating breast that rubbed sinuously against his chest. His lips needed to touch her there. He wanted to look at her. He wanted to pull the clothes from her body and look at all of her. Just look. But no, he knew better. He could never look at her and not take. His thumb slid slowly against one pert nipple and she moaned aloud. Her body seemed to bend toward him as his head dipped to take the sweetness of her into his mouth. Just once he wanted to touch her there, kiss her, and love her. His wants and needs were outweighing every argument that he shouldn't be doing this.
He came back up and looked into her love drugged eyes. Something niggled, something nagged. He couldn't do this. Not like this…
"God woman, I want you…get in the house," he pulled away and shouted at her.
He hadn't meant to shout and push her away. Had meant to release her at all. And then his eyes did feast on the one pert nipple that peeked from her shirt as her chest heaved a heavy breath. He hadn't meant to be such a brute, but if she didn't leave now, it would be too late.
His breathing was so labored he stood there
shaking, trying to regain control.
Losing control over a woman was not part of his life. He'd always managed to be a gentleman. He'd never been this ready for a woman in his life. He stared at her and how vulnerable she looked and his own arousal announced itself against his jeans. He was hungry for her.
The barn was silent, still, as they devoured each other from a distance. But the fact that he wanted her in the most basic of ways shocked him. He wasn't sure he could walk away at the moment, for his readiness warned him he might be past that point. Even she could see what she was doing to him. There was no way to hide it. And her eyes traveled him and she saw.
He gasped.
She gasped.
"Honey." He stared at her from a short distance. "For both our sakes, get in the house, please."
"Hank, we're both consenting adults," she barely uttered, her breath making her breast heave against her shirt, the nipple boldly firmed and fought for freedom from her shirt.
That beautiful dark nipple beckoned him to be caressed. He was shocked at her words, shocked at the consent in her voice.
Letty seemed as shocked as he was.
"I didn't know…I didn't mean to…I'm sorry. But I …." She let her eyes drift lower. And then she really did it. "I don't want to go…"
"This isn't the time…nor the place, and it damned sure would be foolish." His eyes went from her booted heel to the hat she wore to keep the sun out of her eyes. He couldn't hide the desire in his eyes, but there was more to it than that. And yet there couldn't be.
She shook her head, and took a step toward him. "I guess it would…but…"
He stared with disbelief at her willingness, and his heart leapt. About to take her back into his arms, and kiss that sweet yearning nipple that firmed against her chest. How he wanted to taste her. He could spend the entire day just kissing her nipples and watching them pucker for him. And if that was heaven, what would the rest of her be like. His full arousal was aching and announcing itself.
Slowly he reached to pull her closer. She didn't back away. Without provocations she threw her sensuous body provocatively against him. His head dipped and he shivered with wild abandoned as he took the nipple into his mouth, wallowing it against his tongue slowly, then faster, enjoying the jiggle in his mouth. His hand reached to hold the roundness and squeeze it more fully into his mouth. He played with it, nudged it with his nose, and picked her up in his arms so he could kiss her gently.
Ring of Fire Page 8
