by Lacey Wolfe
Chapter 9
Cassidy
Now I was the one avoiding Ryder. A few weeks had passed since our date and he’d called me several times since seeing me at the grocery store. He’d been into the office for his physical therapy and each time he came in, I locked myself away in my office.
Beth was unhappy with me because she thought I was being dumb. Maybe I was, but it had been so long since I’d been with a man and Ryder gave me all kinds of naughty thoughts, that he scared the crap out of me. Something about him was different than other men, and I could tell he felt the same way about me. He consumed my thoughts and without a doubt, I knew destiny was laughing at me. As much as I tried to deny it, there was chemistry with Ryder. I craved him.
“Hey,” Beth said from the doorway to my office. “I’m taking Taylor to see that new super hero movie. Care if I bring Shiloh too?”
I hated movies because I had a hard time sitting still. At least at home I could get up and move around, pause the movie, or whatever, so going to a movie theatre was torture for me.
“Uh, sure. I should ask him first.”
“Already did that.” Beth had her purse over her shoulder as she pulled out her keys. “In fact, he’s in my car.”
I laughed. “All righty then. Ya’ll have fun.”
“We will. I’ll have him home in a few hours, unless you want me to keep him overnight.”
“Is that a good idea? The two of them are older and going to get curious about things.”
Beth gave me a stern look. “They are like brother and sister. I’m not worried.”
I shrugged. “Whatever. Just saying.”
“I’ll text you after the movie.”
“Sounds good. I’m sure I’ll just be at home.”
“Who knows.” She winked and hurried out of my office, making me wonder what she meant by that.
I never did anything but go home and find something to do. With the way I liked to keep busy, you’d think my house would be cleaner. Perhaps that’s what I should do, clean it up. Yeah right.
I finished the report I’d been working on before Beth came in. After that, I searched my email inbox to make sure nothing needed my immediate attention. Nothing popped out, so I shut the laptop down before stuffing it into my work bag. After a quick tidy of my desk, I grabbed my things and left. Shutting the door to the building and locking it, a shiver swept down my spine as though someone watched me. Turning, I noticed the familiar black truck.
I’m going to kill Beth, and I mean it this time
“Hey, Ryder.”
He walked toward me, a bouquet of colorful flowers in his hand. My gaze traveled to his face, his facial hair growing in, taking away that clean cut I was used to seeing. His dark hair had grown a little more and was slicked to the side. The man was sexy as hell and the flowers were barely noticeable with the way his t-shirt hugged his thick biceps. Was that a tattoo? I’d never noticed before, but it appeared that one peaked out from under his sleeve.
“I got here just in time.” He handed me the flowers and I accepted them.
Smelling them, I said, “Thank you. This was sweet, but unnecessary.”
“I was hoping to take you out tonight.”
“Really want that third date?” I joked.
“I want to get to know you. I’m not worried about sex.”
I was. The man made me want to strip naked and spread my thighs open. Not something a man had done to me in a long time. “You’re in luck, I’m kid free and starving.”
“Good, because I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”
“Is that so?”
“I also happen to know Beth has Shiloh.”
“Let me guess, you two worked this out together.” They probably discussed it during his last therapy session.
“It’s possible, and I might have promised her a date with a friend of mine.”
“Oh lord, Beth would love that.” She oogled over the bull riders, unlike me. Not many gave her the time of day, another reason I didn’t like them. They seemed to want the perfect, petite woman and Beth was on the short side, a little chubby, and wore glasses. She was gorgeous to me, the best personality, but not many men paid her any attention. “What did you have in mind?”
“I want to do something other than the whole dinner out thing. So go home and change, put on a pair of jeans and boots. I’ll text you the address to meet me.”
“So then I should eat before?”
“Nope. I’ll still provide dinner, but have a snack. We aren’t eating for a little bit.”
I was curious. “Sounds good.”
He walked me to my car and as I unlocked the door, he opened it wide as I slipped inside.
“I’ll see you soon.” He pushed the door shut then jogged toward his truck.
What did the man have up his sleeve?
***
I stopped the car on the dirt road and pulled my phone down from the cradle on the windshield. The GPS told me to turn here, but this couldn’t be right. Typing the address into Google, I discovered it was the right place. Ryder had me meeting him at the ranch his family lived on, not at all what I expected. I opened the text he’d sent and reread the instructions. Once I got on the dirt road, I was to follow it to the fork then go left. It would be another mile and then I’d be to my destination.
Was I going to his house? Was his whole “sex is off the table” line just that, lines?
I started on my journey, following the instructions. It was a long road, with several places to turn, that I assumed took me to different areas. I hadn’t been on many ranches, coming from the city before this. I had no idea if this was normal or not. Finally, I came to the end, parking in front of a large, red barn. Ryder’s truck was alongside it, so I was in the right place.
I was glad I’d taken his advice and worn the only pair of boots I owned. Checking my make-up in the mirror, I then climbed out and walked toward the barn. The door was open and I went inside, stopping in my tracks. I couldn’t believe it. There was a table set up in the middle, with a light blue table cloth and unlit candle in the middle. As I made my way closer, a horse kicked a gate, causing me to jump.
Ryder came in from the other side taking my breath away in the white cowboy hat, dark blue button-down, and wranglers. How had the type of man I never thought I’d like, be the one to make my knees weak?
“You’re here,” he said, coming toward me and brushing his lips across my cheek.
“I am.”
“I was just saddling up the horses.”
“Are we riding because I’ve never been on a horse by myself.”
“No?”
I shook my head, wondering if this was the time to tell him heights also scared me and the last time I’d been on a horse, I’d had a panic attack.
“I’d love to teach you.”
“That’s okay.”
Taking my hand in his, we stopped by the table and I set my purse down before he took me out to the pasture, where sure enough, two horses were saddled and ready. One of them was the most gorgeous brown I’d ever seen with a patch of white on its nose in the shape of a diamond. The horse looked at me as its tail swished back and forth.
“This is Penny.” He took me to the one I’d been gazing at. “And this is Mason.”
The other horse was taller and a light blond color with speckles of white.
“They are so big.” I ran my fingers along the bridge of Penny’s nose.
“She likes you.”
“How can you tell?”
He was pressed against me, his mouth close to my ear. “She likes anyone I do.”
His hand wandered up my stomach, stopping just under my breast.
“What are you doing?”
“I needed to smell you.” He inhaled deeply, sending a shiver through me and his grip tightened around me.
The dizzy feeling came back and I leaned back into him, needing his hard body for support. The way he affected me, I just didn’t understand. Yes, it had b
een a long time since I’d been with a man in anyway romantically, but I don’t remember one ever doing this to me.
“So do you want to ride?” he asked softly.
You. I’ll ride you. “Uh.”
“How about we get on Penny together? You can sit in my lap.”
The idea of being in his lap, feeling his cock against my ass, was way too appealing.
He let go of me and then pulled himself up on to the horse like it was nothing. I stared up at him, amazed by how natural he looked. Of course he did, he was a cowboy for crying out loud. This was a typical day for him.
He held his hand out to me. “Put your left foot in the stirrup then pull up and swing your other leg over. I’ll be here to guide you along the way.”
“I don’t know.”
“I won’t let you get hurt. Don’t hurt Penny’s feelings. She’s been waiting to give you a ride since I saddled her up.”
I laughed, as if the horse cared if she took me for a ride. I can do this.
Taking Ryder’s hand then positioning my foot in the stirrup, I grabbed the saddle horn. Ryder helped pull me up and I swung my right leg over, then he guided me the rest of the way. Once I was snug against him, his arms came around me as he took the reins.
“Not so bad, huh?”
I didn’t respond, because I wasn’t sure I could even speak. I hated heights, and even though this wasn’t like standing on the top of a light house, staring down toward the beach and ocean, it was still higher than I wanted to be. And it would hurt like a bitch if I fell.
“Just relax. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know you won’t.”
I believed him. For some reason I trusted him, which was something I didn’t give easily to people. But Ryder had swooped into my life, shaking things up. He’d do everything in his power to make sure my safety came first.
I think I like this guy—a lot.
Chapter 10
Ryder
Cassidy was like a brick. She was so tense, I sensed the fear coming off of her. The last thing that needed to happen was for Penny to feel Cassidy’s mistrust. Leaning forward, I whispered, “Just relax. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She nodded and a moment later, her shoulders slumped and she relaxed into my chest. I nudged Penny with my heel and she started a slow trot.
“Don’t worry, we will keep an easy pace,” I said.
“Thanks.”
I wanted to ask her about being afraid of the horse or what was scaring her, but didn’t want to push. She’d tell me if she wanted. We went around the fenced area. The sun was setting and dark reds and oranges filled the sky. It was beautiful, but nowhere near as gorgeous as the woman sitting in front of me. I don’t know what it was about Cassidy, but she’d changed me. As much as I wanted to ride again, I wouldn’t do it without her by my side. I’m not sure why, well, I guess I do. I felt safe with her and even if I tried to deny it, I don’t ever want to be away from her.
“Can I take you on a tour of the ranch?”
“Yeah.”
“You doing okay?” I led Penny out of the gate I’d left open and started on a trail.
“Yes. This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
“Did you have a good day? Deal with any obnoxious patients?” If I could keep her talking, maybe she’d let go of her discomfort.
“That would be you, and sorta.”
“I do recall I’m not under your care. I haven’t seen you since my first day there.”
She giggled. “True. As hard as I try to take you back, you keep seeing Beth. She has reported that you are doing well.”
“I am. Still have some pain, but the exercises are helping. Surgery is still likely, but I’m hoping to get in a few more rides before I retire and have the surgery.”
“You men. Why didn’t you just have the surgery after you fell?”
“I’m stubborn and truth be told, I’m afraid of going under the knife.”
“You’ve been knocked out unconscious though.”
That I had, but not willingly. “How do you know?”
“Well, I, uh.”
I had a feeling her cheeks were beet red. “Been reading up on me?”
“A little.”
“I’m jealous. The only way I can learn about you is asking questions.”
“So is everything I’ve read about you true then?”
“God, no!” I laughed. The rag papers loved to make up shit. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. It’s been so long since someone asked me that.” She was quiet then said, “Yellow.”
“I like yellow too, but green is my favorite.”
“How about food?” she asked.
“Anything.”
“There isn’t anything you like more than anything else?”
“Nope. Tuesday it might be Mexican, Wednesday could be pasta. I just go by what I want.”
“You make it hard to cook you a favorite meal then.”
“Oh honey, you cook, I’ll eat.”
She had relaxed a lot more, which had been my intentions when getting her to talk. It was enjoyable learning about her. We were almost to the spot I wanted to bring her.
“How about you? Favorite food.”
“Cookies will win your way to my heart.”
My mother made the best chocolate chip cookies. When this date was over, I was calling her to make a batch.
“Here we are.”
We stopped in front of a creek. I liked this spot because it was secluded. The water was loud at this part due to all the rocks and there was something about being in the dark woods with the roaring water that put me at peace.
“All right, sweetheart, I’m gonna slide off first, but you keep holding on to the saddle.” It wasn’t easy to get off with her sitting in front of me, but I managed.
Once I was on the ground, I reached up, grabbing hold of her waist. I lifted her from the horse, bringing her down to me. She stared into my eyes and her tongue darted out, wetting her lips. Fuck, I wanted to be a gentleman today and do all kinds of sweet things to try and make her swoon, but I had to taste those lips. I’d made a promise to myself I couldn’t have her other lips yet, so these would have to do.
Yanking her to me as I wrapped my arms around her waist, my mouth came down on hers. She moaned loudly before her tongue swept in, meeting mine. I wasn’t the only one with desires, Cassidy had them too. I could kiss her all day and not complain, but I also wanted to show her this spot then take her back for dinner. And hell, maybe she’d be my dessert.
“You taste so good.” I nipped her bottom lip.
“Why stop?”
Taking her hand in mine, I led her over to the creek. “This is my favorite spot. I’ve never brought anyone here, but I come here when I need to think.”
“Why did you bring me?”
“I wanted to share it with you.”
“Thanks. It’s a great location.” She glanced around. “I could stay here all day. It’s cool from the water and shade.”
“It’s great when it’s raining.”
She turned to me and I recognized the look in her eyes. “Thanks for sharing it.”
Most women I was with made me dizzy with desires to fuck them and I had that for Cassidy, but more than anything I wanted to feel her. Taking her in my arms, bringing her to my chest and tilting her face toward mine, I kissed her again. It was sweet and sensual, one of those kisses that was like slow motion.
She ran her hands up my chest and then around the back of my neck as she stood on her toes. I could spend hours here with her. She’d come out of nowhere, wrapping me around her little finger, and she hadn’t even tried. Hell, I didn’t know if she even liked me or if this was just a date because she was forced into it.
Okay, well, she had to like me or she wouldn’t give me the looks she did. It still didn’t mean she shared even half the feelings for me that I did her. If she didn’t share them now, she would,
because I wasn’t going to stop trying.
She pulled back, her eyes locked on mine.
“God, sweetheart, I can’t get enough of you.”
She smiled, but didn’t respond. Holding her hand, I led her toward the bridge I’d built that went over the creek. In the center, I sat down and she joined me.
“I’m curious what the story is with you and Shiloh’s dad.”
“You sure you want to talk about that?”
“Nah, but if we’re going to try this relationship thing, I need to know about your ex.”
She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “He isn’t really an ex. Just a guy I was sleeping with. We didn’t go on dates, talk on the phone, nothing like that. Simply got together a few times a week, and ya know, did our thing.”
“So what happened when he found out about Shiloh?”
“What do you think? If a man doesn’t even want to take me to dinner, do you think he’d want a kid?”
I took her hand in mine. “Shit, guess not. Do you get child support at least?”
“Nope. He terminated his rights.”
“Asshole.”
She laughed. “It’s fine, really. Shiloh is all I need.”
And me, you need me.
“I don’t date. I’ve been on a handful since I had Shiloh, but it’s been years…until you.”
“I feel special.”
“No one else tried so hard. Guess I wasn’t worth the fight.”
She was worth every moment. From the bad first date, to my mouth that said stupid things. I wasn’t going to give up. Ever.
“How about you? How many girl’s hearts have you broken?”
“Not sure anyone has been heartbroken over me. I had one serious girlfriend in high school and then she stuck around about two years after. One of those relationships where we swore we’d never want anyone else, but then the love went away on my side. I didn’t want to be tied down anymore, so I ended it. I suppose that’s one broken heart.”
“And you’ve not had a girlfriend since?”
“Nope.”
“God, I don’t even want to think about how many women you’ve screwed all these years.”
I was taken back by her statement. “What? Do you think because I’ve been a single man, I just fuck anything with two legs?”
