Rylee smiled. Lilli was a smart kid with a natural talent for riding that she must have inherited from her father. Rylee looked up to find Ash watching them both intently.
“You’re so good with her,” he said.
Rylee felt sick with guilt and deceit. She wasn’t good with children. She couldn’t be trusted with their safety. The only thing was Ash didn’t know this.
“She’s great.”
He smiled and offered his cupped hands for a leg up on Thor.
He grinned. “I know you didn’t need it. I just wanted to—you know—be close to you.”
Rylee laughed. “Shall we go then?”
Regan came out of the shed as they rode past. He waved. “Enjoy the ride.”
All three waved to him.
“We will,” Rylee shouted back.
Once out of the yards Rylee consulted Lilli. “Are you ready for a canter?”
The child grinned. “Yes. You know this is the first time Dad has seen me ride.”
“I saw you…” Ash began but immediately fell silent.
Rylee raised her eyebrows at him and shook her head, glad he had not continued.
“Your father should be proud of how far you’ve come. Okay, start with a trot. Sit up straight then ask Zea for a canter. Remember, use your right leg behind the girth. And move your bum how I showed you. Okay, you go first.”
“Yes,” Lilli replied.
Rylee watched as the child went through the motions to ask Zea for a canter. She did fairly well, and Zea obediently led off on her left leg. Zea had a beautiful smooth canter. She looked across at Ash watching his child cantering away from them.
“Shall we?”
“Yep.”
They moved forward together.
Rylee thought her heart would burst as they cantered across the paddock with the wind in her face, the sun warming her skin and the powerful horse beneath her, carrying her side by side with the man she loved. All her nerve endings tingled as the scents of horse, hay and leather wafted around her, teasing her senses. She glanced at Ash appreciating his athletic body moving as one with the horse, his legs relaxed and hands firmly on the reins. Later tonight they would move as one when he made love to her. She shivered at the thought as sparkles of emotion burst inside her brain. God she loved this man. Then she glanced forward and saw Lilli, secure in her seat, looking every inch the rider her father was and her heart squeezed into a lump, a heavy rock behind her breast. She had become fond of Lilli, enjoyed her company and thrived on teaching her to ride, but at the same time she was terrified of the girl. She couldn’t go on lying to Ash for much longer and her heart wrenched with the pain of what her revelation would do. She couldn’t bear the thought of Ash glaring at her the way her da had done.
“Shall we go down by the creek for lunch? It appears Lilli is headed that way,” Ash shouted to her.
She nodded. They followed Lilli, who had by now slowed to a walk as she negotiated the slope and the trees.
“Shall we stop here?” she called over her shoulder as she brought her horse to a halt.
They reined in beside her and sat for a moment admiring the creek bubbling its way over a bed of rocks. Reeds edged the bank in places, rustling softly in the breeze and nearby a frog croaked. A couple of weeping willows leaned over and shaded the bank to the right. It was grassy and a felled tree trunk provided a perfect seat.
Lilli slipped from the saddle. “Come, you two slow coaches. I’m starving.”
Ash jumped down and began to undo Monti’s girth. “First things first, young lady. Make Zea comfortable. Can they go free, Rylee?”
She nodded. “This is a fenced paddock and Zea and Monti both come when whistled and Thor will follow.”
Lilli obediently unsaddled Zea and put a head collar on before she took her riding boots off, rolled up her jodhpurs then waded into the shallow stream.
She squealed. “It’s so cold. Oh heck, it’s freezing,” she cried, but made no attempt to come out of the water.
Ash laughed at his daughter’s antics then grabbed Rylee’s hand and pulled her up against him. Rylee realized they were now concealed behind Monti, who had decided to munch on the grass right where he stood. Ash wrapped both hands around her waist and pulled her into a tight embrace. She immediately felt his erection pressing into the softness of her abdomen.
“God, woman, I need you. I want to make love to you so desperately that if Lilli wasn’t here, I would take you right here in the grass.”
She shivered as he cupped her buttocks with one hand and slid his other up between her legs and began to caress her through the thin material of her jodhpurs. Her body hummed, her pussy clenched and pulsated. While he touched her, he lowered his head and claimed her mouth, firmly, exploring inside and out. Desire exploded at the taste of him, the feel of his hand between her legs. Her knees melted and she almost crumpled, but his hand clutching her buttocks held her upright. She dissolved into a puddle of need, a primeval ache to feel his cock pressing into her. She moaned against his lips and he applied more pressure to her mound. She rubbed against him, the close contact igniting a fiery explosion between her legs that gushed through her body. She whimpered, but he kept his mouth on hers to silence her cries of rapture. As he applied more pressure the fire exploded into a dancing circle of stars, and he held her tightly as she shuddered through her orgasm.
“Mmmm, very enjoyable,” he murmured as he nuzzled her neck.
“Ash, oh my God, Ash.”
He chuckled. “Oh my God, what? That my daughter is playing in the creek or that I made you come without actually touching you?”
She looked up at him, not sure whether to be scandalized at his behavior or her own.
“Come on, you two. Stop being all mushy up there. Bring the lunch. I’m hungry.”
“We’re coming, Miss Muffet,” Ash shouted back.
As Ash pulled the saddle bags off Monti, Lilli climbed out of the water, but she didn’t replace her boots.
Rylee spread the blanket out by the log and sat on the ground with her back resting against it. Ash placed the saddle bags beside her and squatted on the other side of them. Lilli plonked herself down between their feet, forming a cozy little circle.
Ash had packed sandwiches and cocktail sausage rolls, fruit and cute little pink cupcakes that Lilli promptly informed her they had made together.
“Really?” Rylee exclaimed and looked at Ash.
He smiled as his face flushed a delicate pink. “Lilli and I have been cooking together since she was about three. I have become a dab hand at cupcakes and her other love, lasagna.”
“Well I’m impressed.”
“And so you should be, Miss O’Shaughnessy.”
Between the three of them, they demolished almost all the food and the bottles of icy cold juice. It was perfect. Rylee could have quite easily laid back and snoozed. She was sated and content, but Lilli wasn’t about to let her alone.
“So, Rylee, do you like my dad?” she asked.
Rylee shot a momentary glance at Ash, seeking guidance. He just smiled at her, making it clear he was leaving her to sink or swim and that he was just as interested in her answer as Lilli was.
Rylee cleared her throat. “Yes, I do like your dad.”
“Do you like me?” Lilli asked.
Rylee shivered. This was getting too close to her secret. Of course she liked the kid, but she damn well didn’t want to take responsibility for her on her own. She met Lilli’s direct stare with one of her own. “I like you a lot.”
“Enough to be my mother?”
Rylee gasped. Lilli’s question hit her right in the heart. There was only one way to answer that question—with the truth except for a silent proviso just for her—that she didn’t have the kid on her own.
“Yes, sweetie, I like you enough to be your mother, but that role will depend on your dad. If he likes me, warts and all, enough to be his wife.”
“But you don’t have warts. Only witches have warts
.”
Rylee stared at the child, stunned by her reply. She didn’t have an answer to that. Then Ash started to laugh. He laughed so hard he collapsed onto his back on the blanket. Rylee leaned over him and gave him little slaps to the arms. “It’s not funny,” she wailed.
“It is,” he gasped out between bursts of laughter. He grabbed her arms and dragged her astride him.
She straddled him, not sure whether to kiss him or slap him. She felt the hardness of his cock pressing between her legs and was immediately disorientated by a wave of desire. She was conscious of Lilli beside them.
The child stood. “Well I think you two are so mushy with each other you should be married—and that’s my opinion. Now I’m going back to the creek to find frogs.”
As Lilli disappeared under the softly waving branches of the willow tree, Ash pulled her down and planted a soft kiss on her mouth. As she broke it off, he smiled.
“Well, do we take the child’s advice or not, my love?”
A frisson of uncertainty vibrated through her. She so wanted to say yes. She loved this man, had always loved him. But to marry him meant she could no longer evade being Lilli’s sole carer and she had to expose her failure before she could say yes.
At her hesitation, Ash frowned then he smiled a knowing smile. “Don’t bother to answer that question, my beloved. I know… You’re a woman. You want it done properly, the bended knee, the proposal and the ring… I understand.”
“I-I…” She glanced over at where Lilli played at the edge of the water. “Well yes, I would like the whole thing. Do you mind?”
He chuckled again. “Not at all, my darling, as long as you say yes.”
She sighed. It gave her more time, but the inevitable was looming. She had to tell him before he bought a ring, before he humbled himself by going down on bended knee, before she had to reveal her dark secret that would have him quickly changing his mind.
“Come on. Time to get back. I have lessons later and I want to go over and see Boomerang.” Rylee swung herself off Ash’s crotch and was glad Lilli was preoccupied, because her father’s arousal was pretty evident. He reached down and adjusted his pants. “Damn uncomfortable with a hard-on, my love. I want to stay the night and love you. Do you have room for Lilli?”
Rylee grinned as she climbed to her feet. “Yes, I have a spare bedroom.”
He held out his hand. She clasped it and helped him rise. Not that she needed assistance, but it provided another chance for a quick cuddle in his arms. Together they packed the picnic up, and Ash instructed Lilli to get her boots back on because she had to catch her horse.
She did as she’d been told then together they walked to the rise of the gully. Monti was grazing nearby, and Rylee whistled loudly with her fingers in her mouth. Monti lifted his head, neighed shrilly then came at them at a gallop. Moments later Zea and Thor trotted out from behind the gum trees and followed Monti.
“Will you teach me to do that? I want to whistle like that.”
“Maybe,” Rylee replied.
The child looked a little disappointed at her reply but proceeded to saddle her horse. Ash helped Lilli this time and Rylee watched him go through the steps as she had.
“But I know. Rylee already taught me.”
“Listen to your dad, young lady. We all need reminding. You’re still young and he is responsible for your safety.”
“Okay. I’m listening,” she said.
Ash immediately hugged her. “I know Rylee has taught you, love, and she will take good care of you, but well, I’m your dad, and dads worry.”
“I know, Dad, especially because of Mummy.”
Ash nodded.
It was an intimate moment between father and daughter, and Rylee felt sidelined. Stupid woman. You don’t want that responsibility, damn it. You can’t have it both ways.
They cantered most of the way back but once in sight of the stables, they slowed to walk as Zea was known to get a little eager to get home to food after a long ride.
Rylee’s first lesson was waiting when they arrived and she hurried to get ready. Ash and Lilli agreed to take care of the horses, and Ash promised that he would make dinner. As she walked with Monique and Alsia, the new dressage horse, toward the arena, Ash and Lilli whizzed out of the gate.
For almost an hour she instructed horse and rider, working on suppleness, smooth transitions, the rider’s seat and the aids. Monique had come on from Pony Club and now wanted to enter a higher standard of competition. Unfortunately, her parents couldn’t afford a horse of the standard she deserved so she had come to Rylee. Alsia and Monique had been together for a couple of weeks and seemed suited to each other.
Rylee was aware of his presence before she turned to see Ash standing by the rails. He was studying the horse and Rylee knew his eye for a first class animal was as experienced as hers, if not better. She gave Monique some last instructions then backed up to the fence to observe her ability to follow through the changes they’d agreed on.
“So, what do you think of my new acquisition?” she asked.
He placed his hands through the rails and rested them on her shoulders. “The horse definitely has promise.”
“And the rider?”
“Oh she’s okay, but I’m more interested in the owner, actually,” he whispered in her ear.
“Yes, and you’re distracting me.”
“All right I’m going. Just wondering how long you were going to be.”
“I’m nearly finished here then I want to see Boomerang.”
“Fine. I’ll drive you.”
* * * *
After the meal Lilli was allowed to watch her favorite show then Ash settled her in the upstairs spare room in a T-shirt borrowed from Rylee. Regan was competing in his dart competition at the local pub, leaving them alone.
They sat side by side on the lounge, the television on but ignored.
“Tell me. What do you want for the future? I mean, for this place?”
She got up and retrieved the business plan that she and Regan had put together. She studied his profile as he read the document, but she wasn’t thinking about the material he was reading because her head was full of Lilli’s childish statement about them being a family. She so wanted to be a family with him and Lilli, but terror from the past haunted her to the point she couldn’t see clearly—couldn’t see a way to make it happen.
Finally, he looked up. “This is a very detailed plan. The only thing I would like to see is you with more land, perhaps start a stud.”
“Unfortunately, that would cost more than I have.”
He leaned in and kissed her nose. “I can see that. The other thing is I would like to see you include is a plan for your development as a rider.”
“No, Ash, I don’t…”
“I know, but what about endurance riding? Why not have a go at the Tom Quilty, not just your clients. Providing Boomerang pulls up okay, he would be the perfect horse. Besides, there is Cockatoo and Shamal.”
“But they’re Arden’s.”
“No, they’re mine, and when we get married, they’ll be yours too—if you want them. Otherwise I’ll buy you something else.”
“I can’t let you do that…” She saw the hurt in his expression and stopped speaking. “Well, maybe we can talk about it—later.”
Ash smiled. “Fine with me. I have something better to do and it does not entail talking.” He leaned in and took command of her mouth.
Rylee responded with enthusiasm. She didn’t want to talk.
She rested her head on the back of the couch, and Ash moved his body until he was almost on her lap. He kissed her hard and deep, setting off the throb deep inside. Her heart beat in rapid little patters as her skin tingled and sparked under the caress of his fingers brushing her skin. She found his belt buckle and deftly undid it then opened the top button of his pants. He eased himself a little away from her, and she slid her hand between the tight encasing material and his skin. His skin was hot and satin smooth, his c
ock hard and throbbing. He groaned as she encircled his stiffened shaft.
“I think we should adjourn to your room, before we go too far and get caught with our pants down.”
Giggles bubbled up and she squashed them into little snickers as she extracted herself from the firm confinement of his pants, making him groan again with the pressure she deliberately applied on his swollen flesh.
“God, woman, you’re putting that right back there ASAP,” he mumbled, as he pulled away from her. Using his knees for leverage he pushed himself upright, pulling her with him. Then without another word, he turned the television off, scooped her up in his arms and headed toward her bedroom. Rylee flicked the light switch as they passed.
The curtains were open and the moonlight lay across the bed in a silver pool of soft luminosity. Ash stood her on the edge of the shadows and in the semi-darkness pulled her shirt over her head and undid her pants. When she stood naked, he turned her and pulled her to him. The glow streaming through the window bathed her naked breasts as he fondled her swelling curves. He nuzzled at her neck and shoulder, and she could feel his cock pressing against her back as it strained inside the material. With the flat of his hand, Ash stroked her abdomen and ran his palm over her mound before he brought his hand back up to cup her breast, teasing the nipple with his thumb. She moaned, the sensitive nubs becoming erect under his touch. With his other, he dipped a couple of digits between her lips. She moved her legs slightly apart to allow him access. With the pad of his finger he found her clit, and she gasped at the blaze his caresses ignited. The heat ran like wildfire through her body, sapping her strength. She leaned on him for support. He nibbled at her neck and dipped deeper between her lips until he found the entrance to her pussy. With a whimper for more, she lifted her head, and he nuzzled her neck then nipped her heated skin gently. Her skin sizzled as he sucked and bit, all the time stroking between her legs. The delicious ache in her pussy spread, tingling along her veins through her flesh, pulsing and throbbing. She groaned and whimpered as the fire consumed her. Then she cried out as he plunged his fingers inside her and moved them around vigorously. The world exploded into a dizzying whirl as the pulse of her orgasm peaked and spread through her body. She pushed against his insertion, her pussy clutching and squeezing the digits as he continued to move them inside her.
Blood Ties a Broken Heart Page 13
