As he drives off, I begin to gather up my clothes. But instead of putting them on, I hold them in a fist and gather the blanket around myself. Everything was so amazing. Right up until he asked if I was on the pill. That was responsible of him. That was smart. But pushing me about being clean?

That hurt.

That hurt a lot.

Fuck him.

Still, even with him gone, I wish I could feel his lips on mine again. Sure, he’s a dick. A total jerk. But damn if sleeping with him wasn’t exhilarating.

I’ve got to put him out of my head.

I’ve got to move on.

Forward and up.

* * *

The early morning sun washes away most of the anger. An idea pushes the rest out of mind. Sure, I slept with Kieran Knight. But that doesn’t define me. I’m still Emma Astor, tough as nails, like daddy raised me. That’s how I define myself.

And I’ve had a great idea – while Kieran can’t buy my ranch, maybe he’ll be happy investing in me instead. After all, he’s seen Olivia open up and blossom after a handful of riding lessons.

With a stretch and yawn, I get out of bed. There’s an odd soreness deep between my hips, and a smile teases my lips even as my cheeks sting. I don’t feel different. Not really. It’s odd how much emphasis is put on virginity when, once it’s gone, it’s hardly missed.

The smile curves my lips as I head down to the kitchen. I’m hungry, and I’m going to have breakfast.

A glance out the window is enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. There’s a glare, like the sun reflecting off metal out there. Not up by the house, no, down by a turn in the driveway.

But who the hell would be here?

Dressing quickly, I pull my shoes on on the porch and begin to walk down the drive. But as I approach the vehicle, a car with darkly tinted windows that stops me from seeing who’s at the wheel, pulls out and spits gravel as it backs down the drive.

I break into a run, needing to know who’s messing with me, spying on me.

But I’m pretty sure I know.

I can only imagine one person has something to gain from spying on me.

Kieran.

I watch the car turn around quickly and tear out of the drive so quickly the tires spin and kick up enough dust to choke an elephant. With a growing sense of dread, I stop and stare after them, committing the license plate to memory.

Why would Kieran come sit in my driveway in a car I don’t recognize?

My paranoia crumbles as I ask logical questions. If he wanted to spy on me; why not stay after we’d had sex? Why not just walk up to my house and ask to talk to me? He has access to me, to my life, my things, my home, my heart.

Why hide in the shadows? It’s doesn’t make sense.

Still, some unsettling sense in me warns of danger. And not the particular brand of danger Kieran exudes. This is different. It’s not a sense of danger of being double crossed. It’s unknown. Which is more terrifying by tenfold.

Uneasy, I make my way back to the house, carefully chanting the plate number every step of the way. In the kitchen – and still chanting – I pick up a pen and jot the info down on a grocery list pad. It feels odd, writing things down.

And I remember that my phone is up the stairs on my nightstand next to my bed. If something bad had happened, I’d be without even a way to call for help.

As the hairs on my arms stand on end, I take a few deep breaths as the reality of how odd the situation was hits me. It’s scary, really. But what can I do? Should I call the police and say someone was sitting in my driveway for a few minutes before turning around and leaving? Sure, they were trespassing, but I’m going to sound totally crazy if I call the cops and press charges on nothing more than a gut feeling. Right?

I sink into a chair at the table, feeling so very unsure and sick to my stomach. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

A quick glance over the door assures me dad’s shotgun is still there. And I bet it’s still loaded. With quick steps, I pull a chair over and grab it from its place. I can’t reach it without a chair. So I put it behind the door, instead.

While part of me is sure I’m overreacting, part of me feels good that I’m taking steps to feel safer. I doubt anything will come to pass; but if it does, I’ll be ready.

My heart pounds as the time for Kieran and Olivia to come over draws closer. The thought of seeing him again after last night is enough to make me dizzy.

When I finally hear the truck on the drive, I give Jenny a final brush out and a kiss on the nose. “I gotta go, little lady,” I tell her as she tosses her head. Her colt does the same, mimicking his momma in a way that makes my heart warm.

I leave them and head toward the truck. Olivia charges me like a bullet, throwing her arms around me in a hug that stills my heart. I hug her back, shocked at how this little girl has dug her way into my heart.

“Hi, hon,” I say, and she beams up at me.

“I’m going to go get started!” She says, and I stop her. While she looks up at me expectantly, I can’t help but notice how bright her eyes are.

“Can you do me a huge favor?” I ask, and she nods, her face shining in joy. “Can you put a lead on Jenny and take her to the empty pasture I let her play in?”

With an important look on her face, Olivia nods, then rushes off. I look after her, my heart thundering as I hear the driver’s side door slam. Part of me wants to turn and face him, but part of me is scared to.

I turn and face him. His crystalline blue eyes meet mine, narrowed and dark with desire. And the kick of my heart speeds up. With a sure, swinging stride, he makes his way to me and stops before me. We stare at each other, no words spoken, and I wonder if it’s going to be weird.

His hand comes up to cup my cheek, then his lips are on mine and my heart stands still in my chest.

But I push back, the hurt of the night before not forgotten. It’s a boost to my ego to know he’s still feeling something, that he’s not going ice king on me, but I haven’t forgiven him for his stupid handling of the situation.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, and I smile. It’s a start.