Mortification climbed up her neck and Ari pressed deeper into the chair while trying to keep her dirty limbs from touching anything. She wanted a long hot shower but for the past hour Duke, Molly and herself had been going over the footage Duke had shot and Ari wanted to either throw up or cry.

Duke chuckled as he watched the wheelbarrow Ari pushed tipping to the side. She fell into a pile of manure that had been shoveled out of a stall. She didn’t need to replay it to remember how humiliating that had been, yet she’d sat there and relived it while Molly and Duke laughed.

It wasn’t her fault that the chickens hated her at first sight and had chased her around the pen when she tried to gather eggs. She had no idea that horses liked to press their gigantic lips against human hands searching for treats. Ari thought the animal was trying to bite her arm off. Watching herself scream and trip over her own feet was about as fun as a root canal.

Throughout all of it, she and Duke had argued.

“Use the pitchfork and slide in under the manure, then lift it up.”

“You're crazy. It just keeps falling through the gaps.”

“You need to get a big scoop, like a giant fork.”

“Well excuse me, I've never picked up shit with a fork before. In Boston we eat actual food with our utensils.”

It went on and on in every scene. Once she actually stepped into a puddle of mud and walked out of her boot. She’d had to hop around on one foot while Duke pulled it free and she ended up hugging an old fashioned hand crank well pump.

He made sure to get a nice long shot of that.

Thankfully there were also a few where she got it right. Filling the water trough for the horses in the smaller paddock and brushing Belle. She’d even managed to pick a basketful of vegetables without incident. Considering her knowledge of gardening until this point had consisted of a single potted tomato plant on her tiny excuse of a balcony back in Boston, Ari thought she did pretty damned good.

“There’s some good stuff here.” Molly was jotting things down as the footage played. “I’ll put together a couple of teasers and release them this afternoon.”

Molly stopped the video where Ari had just sat down on a bale of hay, her hair sticking out everywhere, a smear of mud along one cheek and filthy legs above her boots. Ari glanced over at Duke and aside from a little dust on his t-shirt, he didn’t look like he’d been out doing the same things she had done.

He’d shoveled horse crap and gathered the eggs when the chickens chased her out of the enclosure, but looked like he’d done nothing but gone for a nice relaxed walk.

“Go ahead and get cleaned up and have some lunch,” Molly said. “I’ll let you know if we’ve gotten any feedback by dinner time, but don’t expect too much. Sometimes these videos take a long time to get any views or comments. Maybe tomorrow you can shoot some more, maybe take her out to help you repair the east fence line?”

Duke nodded then looked at Ari. “Do you ride?”

Immediately she thought of the golf cart four-wheeler she’d seen other tourists using to truck around the ranch. “I’ve never ridden in a four wheeler before, but how hard can it be right?”

Duke shook his head. “A horse, Boston. You ever been on a horse?”

A shiver of anxiety went through her, but she didn’t want to appear cowardly.

“No but it sounds like fun.” She hoped her smile hid the doubt running through her mind. Duke would be filming again and she had to get it right. She looked down at her hands, at the grit under her nails, and winced. “If we’re done here, I think I’ll take that shower now.”

Molly nodded and Ari left the room and headed upstairs. The sound of Duke’s boots on the hard floor right behind her sent shivers up her spine. When she opened her bedroom door, he pressed his front to her back and wrapped an arm around her waist.

She tried to pull away but he only held her tighter.

“I’m covered in horse shit right now, Duke. I’ve got to shower. I’m a mess.” The scent of hay and sunshine and Duke surrounded her and her nipples pebbled when he ran his nose along the side of her neck. Damn him.

“So you’re saying you’re a very dirty girl?” His deep voice rumbled in her ear. “Because I’ve wanted to get you naked and wet since this morning.”

She almost blurted out that he’d been halfway there after their fake engagement photos, but his teeth closed on the lobe of her ear and her knees turned to jelly. What was her name again?

“In the spirit of conservation, I’d suggest we shower together to save water.” He slid his hand up and cupped her breast through her shirt. “I’ll wash all those hard to reach places.”

Every nerve ending in her body came to life when he slid the strap of her sundress off her shoulder. By the time they stepped inside the bathroom, he had the other strap down and had touched every inch of skin from her neck to the tips of her fingers.

Her breath caught when he unzipped and pushed her dress over the swell of her breasts. It got caught on her hips but he spread his fingers along both sides of her rib cage and slid it down her legs. She stood in nothing but a lacy bra and matching panties. And her boots.

Duke caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and devoured her with a long hot stare that Ari swore she could feel. He groaned and pulled her back, fitted her tight to his body and she felt his rock hard cock straining against his jeans.

The way he looked at her did crazy things to her insides. There was no doubt he wanted her. The hunger in his eyes whenever he met her stare weakened her knees. No one had ever looked at her like that before and it was the reason she gave in to the cravings that made her skin feel too tight. She felt free with Duke and it was unlike anything she’d experienced before.

“The things I want to do to you,” he whispered hotly in her ear. The hands that had been gripping her hips moved up, slid over her ribs and under the lace of her bra. He rolled both nipples simultaneously and pleasure burst over her.

She arched. Moaned. Rocked her hips against him until his groan filled the small space.

“I want you naked and wet, Boston,” he growled against her neck. “Right now.”

Oh, the wet part was covered. Every time he got close, her body betrayed her and was ready for anything he had planned.

And spending the day with him hadn’t been all bad.

Yes there were times she didn’t have a clue what she was doing, but there were also moments, like when Duke crowded behind her to show her how to brush the horses, when his body had pressed up against hers so hot that she should have melted into a pile of goo at his feet.

He wasn’t immune to her either. She’d felt how hard his cock was. Could hear the way his breathing hitched when he touched her. Maybe if there wasn’t a crazy amount of chemistry between them, she could push him out the door and shower alone.

The problem was that she wanted him.

He’d followed her. He was there now. Did anything else even matter? When she went back to Boston with a broken heart, and if she gave in to Duke that was a certainty, at least she’d have these memories of their time together.

“Boston.” The tone of his voice sent shivers over her exposed skin.

She could refuse, but they both know she wouldn’t, not now. She slid her thumbs into the sides of her panties and pulled them down. When they reached her knees she let go and shimmied and they fell to her feet. Duke’s breath hitched when he ran his hands down over her bare hips.

It was a heady feeling, knowing that she affected this amazingly sexy man that way. He grew harder against her lower back and she smiled to herself. Anticipation made her ache all over.

“You’re overdressed,” she said over her shoulder.

His throaty chuckle had her clenching with need. He knew what he was doing, this constant toying with her. Did he want her to beg? To get on her knees and...A smile tilted her lips up.

Without a word she spun around and sank to her knees. His fingers dug into her shoulders when she made short work of his belt and button. She dragged her nails over his jean covered cock and it swelled impossibly harder.

Air hissed from his lungs.

It took a little work to unfasten his jeans because of how hard he was pushing against the zipper, but they both exhaled in unison when she shoved his pants and boxers down to his thighs and his cock bobbed free.

She’d only had a man in her mouth a few times, and none were the size of Duke. Last night, with his own big hand wrapped around the shaft, it hadn’t looked so huge, but her smaller fingers barely fit. Her pussy spasmed and she moaned. God that was going to feel so good inside her.

Ari leaned forward and ran her tongue around the swollen head. Duke dug his fingers into her shoulders and moved his hips slowly. She opened her mouth wider and stayed perfectly still, letting him slide in and out of her mouth. Each stroke put him a little deeper and her lips stretched around the width of his cock.

The fit was so tight that she felt every ridge on her tongue, and on the outstroke, she pressed it up and sucked in her cheeks. The suction must have been good because he swelled even more and a guttural groan echoed in the bathroom.

She’d never particularly enjoyed giving head before, but now, with Duke, she couldn’t get enough. On his forward stroke she leaned forward and felt the head of his cock nudge her throat. His fingers moved to her hair and he fisted handfuls as he held her there and rocked very slowly.

She raised her gaze and it clashed with his. His face was all hard tense lines. When he looked down at her, his eyes blazed and his fingers tightened almost painfully.

“Fuck, you look like a wet dream with my cock in your mouth” he hissed, pulling her almost all the way off, where she sucked in a quick breath, then slid it back in so deep her nose touched his skin. “I want to fill that pretty little mouth of yours with come, but the first time I get off inside you, it’s going to be in that sweet pussy.”

He slid free from her mouth and she knelt there panting.

His dirty talk put her on the verge of orgasm. She reached between her legs and stroked her fingers through the wetness then circled her clit a few times. It wasn’t going to take much more.

“Hands off.” His low growl tore through her body and ratcheted her that much higher. She moaned. So close. Her knees slid further apart and her fingers moved faster. Just as she was about to explode, Duke grabbed her wrists and pulled her to her feet, then pinned her arms behind her back.

“Please, she whimpered.

“Don’t worry darlin, you’re going to come. Over and over until you lose your voice from screaming my name.”

Holding her wrists in one hand he reached between her legs and slid two fingers into her. He pumped them hard and fast, hitting that spot that sent her spiraling towards release. She was helpless to do anything but stand and let him push her over the edge.

Her body went rigid, she teetered on the pinnacle and then...he pulled his fingers free. A scream of frustration lodged in her throat and it came out as a high pitched growl.

“You’re right there aren’t you?” He bit her lobe and wetness gushed from between her legs. “You need to come, Boston?” He rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger then pinched. The bit of pain sent shots of electricity right down to her throbbing clit. “I’ll bet that sweet little pussy is ready to explode, isn’t it.” He let go of her hands and gripped the back of her thighs, lifting her up.

Instinctively her arms went around his neck and her legs around his waist. He moved until her back pressed against the wall. His lips crashed down over hers, devouring her from the inside. She moaned, rocked her hips, rubbing her needy clit over the base of his cock.

“Duke,” she groaned.

He growled into her mouth and pressed her harder against the wall. The pressure inside her grew and she dug her nails into the back of his neck. She was so close.

“You need to come so bad, don’t you darlin.” He rocked his hips, edged her higher.

“Please.” Ari had never been this desperate to orgasm in her life. She needed it more than she needed air. Duke tortured her, brought her closer in miniscule steps. If she didn’t come she was half afraid she’d die.

Senseless words poured from her mouth as she begged him to make her come. His fingers dug into her thighs. He ripped his mouth from hers and trapped her gaze in his. Her mouth went dry. He was a man possessed. Black had eaten up all the color and there was nothing but pure hunger radiating from his eyes.

“You’re gonna come for me, darling,” he ground out.

There was no doubt in her mind that she was going to.

“I want to hear it,” he said between clenched teeth, grinding the base of his cock against her clit. “I want to feel it.” His nostrils flared like one of his stallions and his jaw went hard. “Fuck.”

Ari fought the urge to close her eyes. She was going to come. It was right there. For the first time in her life, she had no control over the explosion. Duke was drawing it from her and all she could do was hold on.

“Duke.” His name was a long drawn out moan. Her muscles tightened. Everything in the room faded except for the two of them.

He lifted her up just a little and pulled his hips back enough so that his cock slid up, nestled in the slick heat of her pussy. Her entire body shook.

Then, she felt herself opening to him. His cock parted her folds and slid inside in one smooth stroke. Duke looked deep into her eyes and pulled out, rubbing along the spot that made her eyes roll back. It felt too good. She was going to...

“Come for me, Ari,” Duke growled and slammed back inside her.

She went rigid and then everything went white. She heard herself scream and Duke’s mouth was on hers, swallowing the sound as he pumped his hips, drove into her harder and harder. She could not stop coming. Every time his cock rubbed her G-spot she exploded.

He swelled even thicker and another scream erupted from her throat when a second, bigger climax ravished through her. He swallowed it greedily, thrust faster and harder until it was her turn to swallow the growl that erupted from his chest.

Duke stilled and she felt him throbbing, jets of heat spilling inside her. His lips fell from hers and he rested his head on her shoulder. They were both breathing heavy and mini spasms still racked her body. Every time her pussy squeezed, she felt his cock pulse.

“Fuck,” he murmured over and over. He squeezed her thighs and pressed kisses to the crook of her neck. When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were soft and filled with satisfaction. “That was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever done.”

Her incoherent sounds of agreement had to do for now.

Duke slowly lowered her legs and thankfully moved his hand around her waist. Her legs were too wobbly for her to stand on her own. He reached in and turned on the shower, then moved the handles until the water was warm but not too hot.

He helped her inside then stepped in behind her.

His hands moved over her body, he brushed kisses over her shoulder. There was a new loofah that he covered in body wash and dragged it up and down over her front. When he reached the apex of her thighs, his fingers slid through their combined wetness.

“I saw your medical records and I know that you’re clean and on birth control,” he said in her ear as his fingers stroked leisurely through her folds. “Should have talked about this first, but I’m clean and you don’t have to worry. Next time I can use a condom if you want.”

And she’d been on birth control for years so there was nothing to worry about there.

She turned in his arms until her front was pressed against his front.

Ari reached down and took the loofah from him and ran it over his shoulder, down over his pec. He was stunning to look at and for a minute, she let herself just admire the ridges of muscles that laddered down his stomach.

She wrapped her fingers around his cock, impressive even after he was satisfied. He groaned and rocked his hips. She leaned forward and pressed her lips right above his nipple.

She didn’t want anything between them.

“If this happens again…”

He cradled her face between his hands and lifted until she was looking at him. Something burned in his eyes and it made her heart leap. “There is no if, darlin. It’s a definite when because I’m not anywhere near done with you.”

His lips took hers in a slow but devastating kiss. He stroked inside her mouth, his tongue hot and demanding, like he owned her.

Ari was afraid he already did. If they kept having sex there was no way her heart wasn’t going to get involved. It was the best she’d ever had hands down, but it was the desperation, the connection that she felt with him that making it hard to remember that this was just a job.

But could it be more?

Duke grew harder in her hand and he slid his fingers back between her legs. The hot water rained down over them but she didn’t care. She dropped to her knees again.

It was time for her to explore, to touch and to drive him crazy.

She peered up from under her eyelashes and leaned forward, sucking the tip of his cock into her mouth. As he looked down at her, his hands holding her head, thumbs stroking over her temples, she swore that there was more between them for him too.

Maybe there was a real chance for something more.

Maybe this wasn’t all just a ploy after all.