“Who said I wasn’t going to ravage you again?”
Standing right next to him, her wearing his shirt and him with no shirt, seemed far too intimate. Much more than the act of sex. Add in the fact that he was cooking and this whole scenario took on a domesticity she definitely wasn’t comfortable with.
She’d done family before...then her husband died and she was left raising a baby alone and trying to piece together her shattered heart. She wasn’t looking for someone to fill the void. One day, she would put herself first and find a man who loved her. She wasn’t afraid of marriage, but she certainly wasn’t looking right now.
Then again, she hadn’t been looking for a fling either, but here she was with her breasts brushing against the shirt of a man she’d only met hours ago.
“Calm down, cowboy.”
She patted his cheek. The bristles along his jaw tickled her palm and reminded her of how glorious he felt tracing his lips all over her.
In a swift move, Hayes grabbed her hand. Then he took it and flattened it against his chest. “That’s the second time you’ve patted me like a child. I wouldn’t do it again.”
She shivered because, as he left the veiled threat dangling, there was so much heat in his tone, in his eyes, she wanted to pat him again just to see what would happen. She had no doubt it would be glorious.
And mercy, those muscles beneath her hand had her wanting to curl her fingers in to get a better feel.
“What are you cooking?” she asked, sliding her hand from beneath his. Alexa leaned over and spotted a pot with noodles. “You cook something like that?”
With a grunt, Hayes turned back and picked up the spoon from the counter. “I’m thirty-four years old, Alexa. I’m a single man. I either needed to learn to cook or starve.”
“Aren’t you supposed to live on bacon and beer?”
He threw her a sideways glance. “Those are definitely staples in a single man’s diet. Hell, any man’s diet. But I also appreciate real food and my mother was the best at homemade chicken and noodles.”
Surprised, Alexa stepped back. “You make homemade noodles? Like, with a rolling pin and everything?”
“I’m wounded you think I can’t.” He continued to stir as she stared, until he finally said, “Okay, fine. I didn’t make these noodles, but I can.”
Alexa crossed her arms and leaned against the wall next to the stove. “Is that right?”
“I swear, ask my brothers,” he exclaimed. “We all can. My mother insisted we know our way around the kitchen, because she wasn’t raising men and future husbands who couldn’t help in every room of the house.”
“Sounds like a smart woman.”
A faint smile danced around his lips. “She was the best. My dad never was the same after she passed. Hell, he’s really not the same now.”
“Does your dad live on the estate, as well?”
Hayes shook his head and dropped the spoon back into the pot. “No,” he replied, turning to face her. “He’s in an assisted living facility not far from here. He doesn’t know who we are most days.”
She hadn’t expected that. She knew Pebblebrook Ranch was the biggest in the state. It was the pride of the area, and now that rumors were swirling about the dude ranch extension, she would’ve never guessed there was heartache beneath all of that wealth and power. The dynamic family that seemed to have it all suffered brokenness just like anyone else. Money couldn’t buy everything.
“I hate to hear that,” she told him. “Has he been suffering long?”
Hayes leaned back against the corner of the L-shaped counter. Resting his hands on either side of his hips, he gave her a tantalizing view of...well, his amazing self.
“When I came home last year for a brief visit, I could tell he was much worse, but this time...”
Hayes shook his head and didn’t finish. Alexa couldn’t imagine having either of her parents not know who she was. How crushing and life-altering that must be. Hayes truly battled quite a bit between the PTSD and his father’s mental state. So tragic.
“I’m sure he’d be proud of what you all are doing here,” she replied. “Clearly, your parents raised some powerful children. Tell me more about your brothers.”
Hayes pushed off the counter and went to the cabinet to grab a couple of bowls. “Not much to tell. Nolan and Colt are in love and married with kids. The only time I see Beau is when his face is on the screen. That’s all.”
Okay. Clearly, he loved his family, but he had some hang-ups. Not territory she wanted to venture into, and he’d made it crystal clear she wasn’t welcome into the personal side of his life. Probably best all the way around if they kept their emotions out of the mix.
She didn’t think that would be much of a struggle for Hayes, but she was one to get attached. Between her job and raising a toddler, her emotions were always getting involved in the lives around her. Simply because she and Hayes had just met didn’t make her any less compassionate toward him, his burdens and the family who no doubt loved him and wanted to help him heal.
Alexa had to keep reminding herself this was simple. Adults did flings all the time. Not her, but other adults.
“I wasn’t trying to make this any more than what it is,” she informed him. “I’m not asking to meet them, just figuring out a way to pass the time.”
What time was it anyway? This had been the strangest day and she couldn’t keep track between the storm making the sky dark, the midafternoon romp and nap session, and then not eating.
Hayes scooped out hearty portions and sat the bowls on the table. Then he grabbed a loaf of bread and started slicing it.
“If you tell me you made that bread, I’m going to force you to come home with me and cook because I burn microwave noodles.”
“Hell no, I didn’t make this.” He laughed. “Nolan brought this to me the other day. It’s from our favorite bakery in town.”
“Sweet Buns?” she asked.
“The very one.”
After he got everything on the table, including sweet tea, she held on to the back of her chair and stared at the intimate dinner. It was simple, yet...still intimate and so like when she and Scott first got married.
“You all right?” he asked, taking a seat.
Blinking back the burn in her eyes, Alexa kept her gaze on the intimate setting. It didn’t seem all that long ago she’d set the table for her husband. They’d share a meal and conversation, taking for granted how simple and perfect their life had been.
Alexa swallowed the lump in her throat. She’d not mentioned anything about Scott. Bringing him out into this temporary fling would make all of this seem more real, or like she was fully ready to move on. She hadn’t quite gotten there yet.
“We all have our demons to face, don’t we?”
Hayes fisted his hands on the table and pulled in a deep breath. “Let’s take our dinner elsewhere.”
She tipped her head, clutching her hands in her lap. She was a guest in his house and she didn’t want him to make adjustments simply because her own issues snuck up and had her in a chokehold.
“Where do you suggest we go?”
Hayes came to his feet, grabbed his bowl and drink and jerked his head toward the front of the house. “Follow me.”
* * *
Hayes had no clue what he was doing, but he’d seen Alexa’s white knuckles as she’d stared at the dinner on the table. He hadn’t even asked what she’d been through in the past, but obviously something spooked her when it came to...what? Eating with him? Sitting down to a kitchen table?
She’d asked about his family a few times, so if he were to add the pieces together, he’d guess whatever plagued her had to do with her own family.
Regardless, Hayes was glad to get out of there as well because eating together in his kitchen was a different level of intimacy. Sex was one thing, but settling down to a dinn
er he’d made? Yeah, that seemed to be sliding right into that relationship territory he’d vowed to stay far away from.
And a relationship with a woman and a child? No. Because if he got involved with a mother, then he’d be involved with a kid. He just couldn’t do that, not to an innocent baby.
Years and years ago, before he went into the Army, he’d thought of having a family of his own. He saw his wife here at the estate helping to raise their children. He imagined teaching them about ranching. Then reality and war and all the ugliness crept in and corrupted every pure thought he’d had about the picture-perfect family.
“In here?” she asked, standing in the door to the study.
Hayes pulled himself from his thoughts and gestured her in ahead of him. “You seemed pretty happy in here earlier. And that was even before you started stripping for me.”
Alexa laughed as she crossed the open space. “It’s a room full of books with a large window, and if it weren’t raining I’m sure there would be a killer view. All I need is a chaise and I’d be set. There’s nothing to be unhappy about in here.”
She went to the large window that stretched across the exterior wall. The padded seating area beneath the window was where she curled up with her dinner, obviously more relaxed and comfortable than in his kitchen.
Hayes stood a good distance away, taking her in with her legs crossed, holding a dinner he’d made, wearing his shirt... Perhaps the kitchen table would’ve been a better choice. He’d thought a dining table seemed intimate, but that was nothing compared to having her curled up in the room where his father had spent so much time. This room held so much history and now Alexa had wedged herself inside like she belonged here.
She took a bite and groaned. Well, hell. No matter where they ended up, his body would stir at the low grumble of her approval. That was the same groan she’d delivered in his ear as he’d slid into her earlier. Was he seriously considering another round?
Hell yes, he was. Who was he kidding? He’d had a sampling of Alexa’s sweetness and her passion and he wanted more. They were stuck here and keeping his distance from her at this point was pretty much impossible. Night was fast approaching and at some point they’d have to discuss sleeping arrangements.
He just had to get her on the same page as his plan. An affair for the duration of her stay? He didn’t think she’d be too opposed. A woman who bantered as easily as she did, who paraded around in his clothes... Yeah, he could get her back into his bed.
“Are you going to join me?” she asked, glancing over.
Hayes crossed the room and sat on the window seat, but left a good amount of space between them. Their dinner and glasses sat in the middle, providing a flimsy barrier.
“Tell me you’re not going to change this room.”
He forked up a hearty bite. “I haven’t thought about this one to be honest. This was my grandfather’s office, then my dad’s. I don’t really have much use for it.”
Alexa’s eyes widened. “You don’t have use for a room where you can read and relax? Do you even know how lucky you are to have something like this?”
“Believe me, I know exactly how lucky I am to have everything I do.” Flashes of another life he’d led for years boomed through his mind. “Just because I have money doesn’t mean I’m not grateful.”
“Do you have a panel that slides open and reveals a secret room?” she asked, picking up her tea. “Because I have to tell you, if you don’t, then I highly recommend putting that on your renovation list.”
“Is that right? And what else would you do?”
Alexa took a drink, then set her glass down as she drew her brows in as if trying to come up with some ideas. “Are we talking what I would do or what you should do? Because one of us has a ton of money and the other doesn’t and lives in a town house about an eighth of this size.”
Hayes shifted back and brought his knee up onto the window set. “Pretend this is your house and money isn’t an issue. What do you see?”
Her brows lifted as those dark eyes widened. A breathtaking smile spread across her face and for a second, his heart clenched.
“This is fun,” she stated. “Okay, well I’d definitely have a tire swing and a tree house out in that large oak by the creek for Mason. I’d want his bedroom to be the one facing that same tree so he could see his play area.”
Of course she put her son’s needs first. Someone like Alexa wasn’t going to instantly go for the glam. Her son was her life. A fact Hayes would do his best to remember.
“You’ve nailed the master suite,” she went on. “I think for the kitchen I’d keep it separate from the living area. That gives it the farmhouse feel. But I’m different in that I don’t like the open concept everyone else wants. Personally, I don’t want to see the dirty dishes from my living room.”
Hayes shrugged. “When you live alone, there aren’t many dirty dishes.”
Alexa eased back and rested her shoulder against the window as she brought both of her legs up and crossed them. “But we’re pretending this is my place and I don’t live alone. Believe me, we have dishes. And the laundry. I never knew such a little person could have so much laundry.”
Everything in her life circled back to Mason. He admired her for her strength and independence. Clearly, she was a wonderful mother. There was something special about the bond between a mother and her son. Hayes would always carry the memories of his mother in a special place in his heart.
“So you’d want a nice utility room?” he asked, trying to focus on their conversation and not the parallels between Alexa and his mother.
“Definitely,” she said with a firm nod. “I’d want the laundry close to the bedrooms so I didn’t have to haul it all over the place. I think for the living room I’d want soft, peaceful colors. I’d want sheers on the windows that stayed open so I could see the land. I’d have windows that opened easily because there’s nothing like an evening breeze.”
As she spoke, she looked outside, but the rain continued to beat the house. Alexa seemed lost in her own fantasy, as if she saw beyond the rain. Was life that simple? Could he look beyond the storm and see the other side?
“I think the house calls for an old farm table in the kitchen,” she went on. “Or at least a long bar where friends or family can gather and eat in one room. My parents don’t live around here, so I wouldn’t have many visitors.”
She stared down at her plate as she continued. “Growing up, we were constantly hosting family for dinner. Not only on holidays, but just because. That’s part of my heritage. My father’s family came from Puerto Rico. We gather together and fix an insane amount of food. I miss having a big house that I can fill with my family and friends. Sometimes I like to get together with my friends from work.”
“What is it that you do?”
The question slipped past before his common sense could stop it. He shouldn’t ask such things. He worried she’d get the impression he wanted more.
But he hated that longing in her tone. Hated that she was missing her family and the bond that obviously ran deep. He understood that all too well.
“I’m a special education preschool teacher.”
Of all the things she could’ve said, he didn’t expect that, but on the other hand he wasn’t surprised. Alexa was a giver, so a teacher of children with special needs definitely made sense. He hadn’t known her long at all, but he knew those kids were damn lucky to have a teacher like her.
“Sounds like a rewarding job.”
A soft smile slid over her perfect mouth. “I love what I do.”
And it showed in the way her eyes lit up and love laced her tone. There were certain things Alexa was extremely passionate about: her family, her son and her work. The similarities between them were starting to hit too close to home and he had to keep reminding himself they were stuck here and making the most of the situation. This wa
sn’t some get-to-know-you start of a relationship.
“Working with children sounds terrifying.”
“Says the man who served overseas,” she retorted with a wide grin. “What did you do? Or can you tell me?”
“I was a paratrooper in the US Army.”
When her brows rose, his ego volleyed up a notch. “You jumped out of planes and you think a room full of children are scary?”
With a shrug, he came to his feet and closed the space between them. “We all have our talents,” he said, taking her hands and pulling her to stand before him.
“What are you doing?”
Hell if he knew, but he was going with his gut. Okay, he might be leading into this with another body part, but he wanted this woman and why should they deny it?
“Figured I’d show you more of my talents.”
Her lips quirked up as she looped her arms around his neck. “Lead the way, soldier.”
He reached to his back pocket and pulled out protection. “I grabbed it when I left the bedroom earlier. I wasn’t sure where I’d want to ravage you again.”
Dark eyes went from the foil wrapper in his hand back to his face. “Sure of yourself?”
Hayes lifted her off her feet and headed to the covered sofa. “Hell yeah, I am.”
Nine
Alexa toweled off and slid into another of Hayes’s shirts. She found herself becoming more comfortable in his clothes than her own. He’d definitely delivered on those promised talents, both in the study and in the shower.
Now he was outside assessing the rising water and checking on the horses. He’d made her promise she wouldn’t come out because there was no sense in both of them getting soaked again.
She made him promise that if he needed help he’d come back and tell her and not be so hardheaded. Alexa worried with the storm still raging that the thunder would thrust him back to the darkness inside his mind, but she had to let him go on his own. She wasn’t his keeper. She wasn’t even his girlfriend, so hovering was not going to fly with this sexy cowboy. Besides, once she left he’d be on his own to handle matters his way.
Taming the Texan Page 8
