MIA stretched out but kept her eyes shut tight. The sun was bathing her in warmth, and she wasn’t ready to kick the covers off and give up her snuggly spot on her bed. She pulled the covers up higher, basking in the delicious moment between asleep and awake, wondering if she should just go back to sleep instead of getting up so early.
Buzz buzz, buzz buzz.
She reached across to her side table for her phone, forced to open an eye when she didn’t manage to clasp it. Who would be calling or texting her so early in the morning?
She saw it was indeed a text message, actually three of them. Snuggling back down, heart starting to race in anticipation, she unlocked her phone and scanned the messages.
Had a great night, would love to see you again before I fly out. Any chance of round two? T
Mia groaned. Seriously, Trent wanted to see her again? He’d spent more time texting and replying to emails. She got being busy with work, but it had really started to get on her nerves. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but he wasn’t for her.
I was thinking dinner again. Or drinks. Pick you up again?
She sunk deeper into her pillows. Not a chance. She was pleased she’d said yes to going out, but there was no round two. Mia shut her eyes, seeing Sam’s face, remembering his lips on hers, how his mouth had tasted, the slightly rough brush of his stubble against her top lip that had made the whole thing feel even sexier. She sighed. Maybe Trent would have been more her type if she hadn’t already met the delicious Sam Mendes.
She looked at her phone again. Message number three was from Kat, which meant that none of them was from Sam. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but she had only bothered to reach for the phone so soon after waking because of him.
Mia stayed in bed, pleased she hadn’t drunk too much the night before. Three glasses had been plenty, because she hated having to work her horses with a hangover. Hours out in the hot Texas sun, wearing a riding helmet, was enough to give her a headache by the end of the day without adding alcohol into the mix.
She scanned the news, checked her messages again, then had a quick look on Instagram before finally rising and walking out to her kitchen in her PJ’s. Mia opened the fridge, got out some fruit and started chopping, before pulling out a bowl and emptying some homemade muesli into it. She finished making her breakfast, topped it with some yoghurt and then curled up on her sofa, staring out at the view as she ate.
When she’d built this house, it had been for her own sanity, and it had remained her own little oasis away from the main part of the ranch. She loved the land, land that had been in her mother’s family for generations, even though most people who didn’t know their history would think her father had purchased it. He wasn’t the only one who’d contributed to their billion-dollar family fortune. It was the connection to her mother that was most special to her, and when she watched the landscape through her huge glass windows, she could imagine her riding past in the distance. Her mother had always worn her long hair out, and she’d loved riding bareback, and Mia was certain that was why she’d always been so balanced in the saddle. She’d started riding with her mother when she was young, holding on tight as they’d gone for big rides over their land, until she’d started to ride her first pony, Bubble, alongside her. Even now, she could jump a fence with as much ease bareback as she could with a saddle on.
She finished eating her muesli but didn’t move until a soft knock startled her. No one usually bothered her here, especially not in the morning. Her father respected her space and understood that she liked her privacy, and as well as she could recall, she was certain none of her siblings were home visiting. She hadn’t seen Angelina in weeks, since she’d last come home for a quick weekend vacation, and Cody hadn’t visited in months. Not that her brothers would bother knocking first, they weren’t anywhere near polite enough for that, and Ange would have just called out before letting herself in.
She stood, tugging her loose fitting tank top down and checking her shorts weren’t riding up too high. The knock sounded out again, a bit louder this time.
“Coming!” she called out.
It only took her a moment to move through her living space toward the front door, and she saw Sam standing there through the glass. It was the only downside to having a house with so much glass on every exterior wall; visitors could see in and she had nowhere to hide.
“Hey,” she said when she opened the door, leaning against the heavy timber, conscious of the fact that he was fully dressed and she was wearing only enough clothing to cover her boobs and butt.
He looked down, clearly taking in her bare legs. She knew her stomach was just showing but she refused the urge to tug her top back down for fear that it might then expose way too much of her breasts. She wasn’t exactly used to anyone seeing her in what she slept in.
“Hey,” he finally said in reply. It had probably only been seconds, but she felt like she’d been standing there forever with him staring at her.
“You, ah…” she fumbled over the words, not sure what she was even trying to say or what she wanted to say. Because all she could look at was his mouth and all she could think about was kissing him again. Mouths fused, bodies pressed tight, inhaling the masculine, delicious smell and feel of the man she couldn’t stop thinking about.
Sam didn’t say anything, but everything about the way he was looking at her changed. He looked predatory, the darkness of his eyes and the gentle upturn of his mouth as he suddenly stormed the distance between them exciting her as much as it terrified her.
It took him four, maybe five strides to close the gap, eyes never leaving hers as he cupped her body against his and walked her back against the wall. Mia gasped, the wall cool against her skin, the softness of his plaid shirt brushing against her skin and making her want to move closer into him instead. But then his knee moved between her legs and she realized the shirt was the only soft thing about him. Sam pinned her back, one hand on her hip, the other grazing her face as he brought his mouth down and kissed her. Hard. This was like last night reigniting all over again, his lips unrelenting, his touch firm. She happily gave in to him, wishing she had the courage to push him back and lead him brazenly by the hand down the hall to her bedroom. But she didn’t.
Instead she let him lead, let him take control. She surrendered to his touch, gasping when his fingers brushed the bare skin on her hip, his leg even harder against her as she pushed against him and moved closer, drinking him in, unable to get enough of him.
She was being roughed up in her own house, and loving every second of it.
Mia snuck her hands between them, pushing at him, desperate to feel his skin against her fingers. Their lips were moist, meshed together, moving in time, and she wanted more of him.
“No,” he rasped, pulling back the moment she tugged at his shirt.
Mia didn’t listen to him, pushing against him again, mouth searching out his, not ready to stop. There was no way he was going to leave her like this, and he wasn’t the only one who knew how to take charge.
“Mia,” he said softly, hands on her shoulders as he held her back.
Why was he stopping? “No,” she disagreed, scooping her arms around his neck and smiling as she stared at his lips and then pulled him down. She didn’t exactly have to force him to dip his head; one tug and he was groaning and moving to meet her, his mouth rapidly finding hers again. This time his kisses were slower, matching her pace, teasing her and slowly, softly brushing back and forth. It felt even sexier than before, her whole body tingling in anticipation as his palms rested on her hips, fingers curled into her skin.
When he finally pulled back again, she was breathless. She gave him a little push, hands sliding down his chest when she finally released them from his neck.
“Well, that was a nice way to start the morning,” she whispered.
Sam slowly let go of her, but his eyes never left hers.
“Anyone ever told you how sexy you look dressed like that?”
She grinned, embarrassed but flattered. “Actually, no.” She didn’t tell him it was because no one had really ever seen what she wore to bed. “Anyone ever told you what soft lips you have?”
He laughed. “Lips of silk, heart of steel.”
She didn’t for a moment believe the heart of steel part, but she didn’t bother correcting him.
“I just came by to let you know I was here.”
Mia was still catching her breath, unable to resist smiling at his wry words. “Hmm, I think you managed that.”
They stood for a moment, the heat between them almost in need of a fire crew to put it out. She studied him, indulged in really looking at his face, more brazenly probably than she’d ever done before. There was something about him, something about the way he looked at her or spoke to her or treated her. She just didn’t know what exactly it was.
“You need to get dressed.”
“I don’t usually ride in my PJ’s, so there was no chance of me coming out like this.”
“It’s not your riding that I’m worried about,” he muttered.
She flushed, enjoying the burst of heat that ignited deep in her belly and rose like a wildfire across her skin. “Why are you really here?” she asked, then laughed at her own question when he gave an innocent shrug before backing up a few paces and leaning against the door jamb. “Oh, I get it. You were here early to check that my date hadn’t stayed over.”
Sam’s smile was replaced with a face that was impossibly difficult to read. “Why would I do that?”
She shrugged. “No idea. But he’s not, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“Good,” he replied. “Now are we going to work the stallion together or are we going to trade jibes while you minx around in your sexy little sleep outfit?”
Mia’s mouth twisted up into a smile even though she fought hard to hide her satisfaction. “Yeah, we’re going to work the stallion,” she said, moving closer to him. She stood on tip-toes, palms to his chest as she grazed a kiss to his cheek. She stayed still, lips still against his skin, waiting for him to move. A thrill ran through her, a shiver down her spine, when he didn’t.
When he finally turned his head to her, she pressed a deep, slow kiss to his lips before moving back. She’d never reacted to a man like this before, and she had no idea what it was about Sam that was driving her crazy. Whatever it was, he was good for her, and she loved the way her body seemed to hum when she was around him, as if his kisses whispered from her mouth all the way down her body, skimming across her skin and making her feel more alive than she’d ever felt before.
“See you soon,” she murmured, leaving him standing there as she walked away and into her bedroom.
Part of her wished he would follow her, that he’d storm after her and throw her over his shoulder, like a caveman conquering the woman he’d been lusting after, claiming her and making sure she knew it. But then again, she liked the anticipation, the burning heat of his eyes on her as he watched her. Mia didn’t look back, she couldn’t, but she was damn excited for whatever the hell happened next if that was just a taste of what she had to look forward to.
* * *
Sam walked back to where his truck was parked by the stables and whistled out to his dog. He patted his leg, praising Blue when he ran immediately over and trotted beside him the rest of the way.
Mia had been right, there was only one reason he’d showed up at her place in the morning, and it had everything to do with him wanting to make sure her date wasn’t there. Seeing her, alone and wearing her PJ’s, had comforted him. Clearly she hadn’t stayed at Preppy Guy’s place, either.
Two reasons. He was only lying to himself if he didn’t acknowledge the fact that he’d thought of little other than kissing Mia at the bar the night before.
His phone buzzed in his pocket and he plucked it out, seeing it was Nate.
“Hey,” he answered.
“Hey yourself. Thought I’d check you actually made it home last night and didn’t do anything stupid.”
Sam laughed, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. “Perhaps I should get you to define stupid?”
Nate’s chuckle was deep. “Were there any black eyes, fists flying, woman stealing or…” he laughed again. “Hell, I don’t know!”
By stealing he wondered if kissing someone who was taken, at least for the evening, counted. “Nothing happened. I’m working this morning, up bright and early. You?”
“I’ve been up since the crack of dawn. My lovely ladies were so pleased to see me they decided to wake at four thirty a.m.,” he said. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Sam said.
“Oh and Sam? I don’t believe your bullshit for a second. Something went down last night, you’re just too chicken-shit to tell me.”
“Yeah, something like that.” Sam said goodbye and put his phone back in his pocket.
In the past he’d always told Nate everything, but times had changed. Hell, he’d changed. He’d gone from bachelor to loved-up without even realizing how quickly he’d made the transition, and it had been him not Nate who’d been ready to settle down. He’d believed he’d found the one, that he wasn’t going to repeat the mistakes his parents had made, and yet here he was, single and not knowing what the hell his future held. While Nate was at home being the dutiful husband with two kids to boot. It was more than ironic; it was flat out impossible for Sam to wrap his head around sometimes.
He noticed that Mia hadn’t been down to feed her horses yet, so he filled their hay bags and checked their water. He wasn’t one for compliments, but he did admire the fact that she didn’t have a groom. Sam was almost positive that her father would have happily written the check for another worker, but she was gritty and determined, and clearly liked proving people’s perceptions of her wrong.
By the time he’d finished up in the stables, he could feel a glow on his skin, the day heating up and his own temperature rising from doing the work. When he’d risen early to feed out his own ranch, the day had still been new, dewy and cool, but now it was getting hot.
“Come on,” he said to Blue, waving a hand and stopping to collect some more hay. He’d made huge progress with the stallion, and he was actually looking forward to working him again today. He’d thought about getting Mia to film him working with the magnificent but troubled horse, rather than getting a crew to come along, but he’d decided against it. This was just he being who he was. He’d become too used to all the work he did, particularly the trickier stuff, being filmed and uploaded for his followers to see.
“How’s he doing?”
Sam turned to see Mia standing not far away, arms crossed over her chest. He drank in the sight of her; hair pulled up into a messy ponytail, tight faded jeans with boots, and a smile as big as Texas. She was a knockout, even without all the makeup and sexy-as-hell clothes going on from the night before. Suddenly, he couldn’t get enough of her.
“He’s good,” Sam replied, turning his attention back to Tex as he crossed into his paddock. He might be making a little headway, but he wasn’t about to take his eyes off him and give him the chance to lash out. “I think you’ll be quietly surprised.”
Mia must have moved closer because her voice traveled easily to him. “I honestly didn’t think anyone could ever get through to that horse.”
He stood patiently, hay on the ground for Tex to walk over to. He did. Slowly, but it was progress, and instead of having his ears pinned back hard or lunging at him with his teeth bared, his ears flickered, more cautious than anything else.
“With this guy,” Sam said softly, all his attention focused on the animal in front of him, “it’s about reprogramming his brain. We need to show him through our actions that he has nothing to fear, and reward the right type of behavior that we want to see more of.”
“The fact he’s trusting you enough to eat in front of you like that is incredible,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”
“Well, believe it,” he said, reaching out to touch Tex, firmly but slowly touching his neck. “The next step is you taking my place, because if he can’t trust you, then everything I do is essentially worthless.”
He moved to stand beside Mia, closer than he would have as little as a day ago. He leaned deep into the railings, elbows on the fence. Sam stared at the stallion a moment before turning to look at the woman beside him.
“This isn’t a fairy tale, Mia,” he said, his voice gruff even to his own ears. “There is no way this has a guaranteed happy ending.”
She stared back at him, her gaze unwavering. “Are we talking about the horse here or us?” she asked.
He looked at her mouth, something he was starting to develop a habit of doing. Sam forced his eyes up, locking on the blue aqua that was just as mesmerizing to him.
“We’re talking about the horse,” he replied.
Her smile was sweet, but she still turned away from him, gazing back toward Tex. “I never thought it was a fairy tale,” she said simply. “I know what you think, that I’m no match for a horse like him, but the truth is, I’m all he has. Once you’re gone, anyway.”
Sam nudged her with his elbow, forcing her to look back at him. “That’s not true. I didn’t know you when I first came here, but now? I know that you’re kind, honest and full of passion and grit about what you do. Not to mention you’re actually a hell of a horsewoman.”
“Wow,” she said, grinning. “I can’t believe how good that feels, having you compliment me like that instead of putting me down.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit,” he said, leaning back so he was facing her better. “You must get compliments all the time.”
“I do,” she said with a nonchalant shrug. “But most of the time they’re loaded compliments because of who I am or what someone wants from me. At least with you I know you’re being real. There’s no bullshit about the way you are with horses. You take it seriously and I appreciate that.”
“Well, good. Because I damn well mean what I say, and I don’t go giving out compliments unless they’re warranted.”
“So about that fairy tale,” she said, eyebrows arched.
“I need to know if you can do it, or if you feel like you have too much history with him?” Sam asked, knowing the question was loaded for her. “If you’re too raw from what happened, if you deep down know that you’re not his forever owner, then we’d be better transitioning from me to someone else.” He paused. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, making her long ponytail swish from side to side. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s a fair question.”
“So?” he asked.
“So you’re wrong. I am the right person, and I’m not bringing any of my baggage to the table. I want to form a bond with him. No one wants that more than I do.” She leaned into him, surprising him, her touch catching him off guard.
They stood, side by side, staring at Tex.
“He’s my horse, and I’m going to be his forever home. I need you to be clear on that,” she said.
Sam nodded.
“You sure that’s not the only fairytale we’re talking about?” Mia’s voice was lower, softer this time. “Or should I say non-fairy tale?”
He stiffened, not liking where their conversation was heading. There were no fairy tales where he was concerned, not ones with him being the nice guy or the prince riding in to save the damsel on a white horse, anyway.
“I don’t know where you’re going with that,” he managed.
She gave him a look that said she didn’t buy his lack of understanding. “Look, let’s be honest here.” He saw that she looked uncomfortable, but he had to give her credit for tackling something uncomfortable head on. His way of dealing with whatever was happening between them had been to turn up on her doorstep like a maniac and kiss her without saying a word in greeting first.
“We kissed and it was good,” she said simply, as if explaining something mathematical. “You turned up this morning, clearly wanting to see if I was, I don’t know, otherwise involved, and then we kissed again.”
“Yeah, you’re about right with all of that,” he said, feeling his face change, unable to stop the hint of a smile as it twisted his mouth sideways. He turned to face her, admiring her, reaching out to touch the end of her ponytail now it was falling over her shoulder. It was like spun gold in the sunlight, silky and soft.
“And now you’re trying to figure out a way to tell me why things are too complicated,” she finished. “Or something like that. Maybe I’m not your type, or maybe you just don’t want…”
“Stop,” he said, tugging on the end of her ponytail then.
“Ow!” she glared at him, eyes wide.
“You’re exactly my type,” he said, not releasing her from his gaze, wanting her to see how much it pained him to push her away when she should have been his ideal woman. “My problem is that I’m not looking to get involved with any woman. It’s complicated, but relationships aren’t my thing.”
“Relationships are always complicated,” she said softly, not taking her eyes away from his. She surprised him by reaching for his hand. “But I don’t need a relationship, Sam. I’m leaving around the same time you’re scheduled to finish here. The show jumping season kicks off properly then and I’ll be on the road, and I don’t need anything in my life to complicate things.”
He felt her thumb rub across his hand, remembered what it was like having her in his arms, having those fingers kneading the back of his neck when he dipped down to kiss her. There was no denying that he wanted her, because he did and his body would only betray him if he tried to pretend otherwise. But she’d never struck him as the love ’em and leave ’em kind of girl. Maybe he’d read her all wrong. Again.
“So let me get this clear,” he said, moving closer, forgetting all about the horse he’d intended on giving his attention to. “You definitely don’t want a relationship?”
“Does every girl need to be desperate for Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet and keep her for the rest of her life?” Mia asked. “There are times when fun will do.”
He hid his surprise. Either he’d read Mia all wrong or she was playing with him.
“No, she doesn’t. But I thought you were more of a, how shall I put this, traditional girl.”
“Oh really?” she asked, doing the cute-as-hell thing where she sucked in her bottom lip beneath her front teeth
Sam moved closer, their bodies only inches apart now. “Yeah, really. I guess I got you all wrong, huh?”
“Yeah, cowboy, you did. Because I’ve had daddy around trying to take care of me and do everything for me all my life. The last thing I want is to fall into the lap of man wanting to own me like a possession and tell me what to do.”
Sam was tired of talking. She was smart and quick with her words, but he was interested in the other things her mouth could do well, like kissing.
“Just over three weeks. That’s what we have left, right?”
Mia closed the little gap left between them. “Three weeks,” she whispered.
“Three weeks of a no-strings-attached affair before we go our separate ways for work?” he asked, wanting to make it absolutely clear what he was getting himself in for. He’d been called a jerk before, but it hadn’t been because he’d misled a woman. That wasn’t his style and it never would be.
“Three weeks,” she murmured back. “And then maybe a late night catch up or two when we’re both back home at the same time.”
Sam would have laughed but she didn’t give him the chance. Mia grabbed him by the back of his head, gripping his hair and tugging him forward, her mouth closing over his and showing him exactly what she had in mind. He had no idea where this version of Mia had come from, or what exactly he’d done to unleash it, but damn, he liked it.
He scooped her up, grabbing her under her butt and sitting her on the fence. Then he pushed in hard against it as her legs wrapped around him, their mouths still fused, her fingers still locked into his hair. Sam kept his hands on her butt, skimming her hips, but when she started to giggle he pulled back, wondering what the hell was going on.
“What?” he mumbled, getting an eyeful of her ample chest when she stretched back, laughing.
“My dad would have a fit if he looked out now from the house and saw me making out with the hired help.”
Sam glanced over his shoulder, suddenly thinking about the fact that the main house had rooms that faced this part of the ranch. “I’m hardly the hired fucking help,” he sputtered. “I’ll have you know I’m the best goddamn horseman this side of Texas.”
“Oooh, and I thought you didn’t have a big ego. How wrong I was,” she teased.
Sam hauled her down from the fence and smacked her on the ass, grabbing her wrist when she tried to protest and get him back.
“Easy tiger,” he whispered, his voice gruff as Mia’s eyes flashed with challenge. “Don’t go getting cocky without making sure you’re up for the fight.”
Her arched eyebrows laid down the challenge. He realized she’d glanced at his crotch. “I’m not the one getting cocky, sweetheart.”
Sam grabbed her again, not caring who the hell was watching. He wasn’t afraid of Walter Ford, and his daughter was a grown woman well able to make her own decisions about who she damn well kissed and where.
“You’re crazy,” he murmured, holding her tight and crushing her mouth to his. He tasted her, inhaled her, felt her. She was intoxicating. At least he had three damn weeks to get her well and truly out of his system.
Mia kissed him back, matched his urgency, proved to him that she was so different from the woman he’d expected to be spending time with on the ranch.
“Crazy about you,” she whispered, smiling against his mouth and making him do the same.
She finally pushed back, taking a step away from him. He watched as she adjusted her ponytail, still smiling. She looked even prettier when she was smiling.
“But now we’ve got work to do,” she said. “So how about we limit this affair to when we’re off the clock?”
Sam saluted, shaking his head as he climbed the fence to go back in with the stallion. “Yes, boss.”