TEN

 

 

“Reese!” Avery called from behind him, as she saw his arm go up, thinking he was probably taking a bite of the muffin. “Wait up.”

But he didn’t slow down. Instead he kept walking towards the front door, chomping on his muffin.

Right before he reached the door, Kaya appeared. “These are great,” he told her holding up the muffin.

“Thank you,” she said, opening the door for him.

He nodded and Avery caught the smile he threw out to Kaya as he walked out the front door, onto the expansive porch.

When he took a few steps outside, he turned to face Avery. She could tell that some of his anger had dissipated. “Sorry, but I needed to get out of there. Couldn’t breathe. The air smelled of deceit. Couldn’t you smell it?”

She didn’t answer, didn’t want to contribute to his anger, so instead she let his observations mix with the sunshine.

He finished off his muffin, wiping his fingers and his mouth on the napkin he’d picked up from the table, then shoved it into his pocket. “Chuck was right about the muffin, one of the best I’ve ever eaten.”

She liked this muffin conversation much better and decided to embrace it, hoping it would soothe any remaining agitation. “One of the best?”

“My mom’s are better.”

“I’ll hope to try them one day.”

“With what’s going on, that’s not likely.” He started down the steps. If he left now, she knew this whole thing between them would be over, and for her own selfish reasons, she refused to allow that to happen.

“Reese! Wait! Don’t you want to talk about what just happened in there? About Chuck’s offer? About that partnership agreement?”

She thought she’d appeal to his more pragmatic side. The Cooper Ranch needed an influx of money, fast. Maybe he didn’t want to sign it over to the Circle Starr, but that didn’t mean something else couldn’t be worked out.

He got to the bottom of the steps and turned back to her. “You’re not my lawyer. You’re Chuck’s lawyer and talking to you would be a conflict of interest. But you already know that, so unless you want to pick up where we left off last night, I’ll be on my way.”

She hated that he had turned on her when there was no basis for it. That he wouldn’t listen to her, refused to even consider her emotions in all of this.

“Do you know what a shit you’re being right now? And what a shit you were during that entire meeting?”

She folded her arms across her chest as her stomach soured, making her feel slightly nauseous. She hated this kind of conflict, especially between people she cared about. It brought up memories of her parents’ arguments, each of them saying things that hurt the other. Her mom unwilling to listen to her dad’s logic, and her dad calling her insane, and names she didn’t want to remember.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but maybe I was reacting to being lied to, even by you. I mean, I’ve recently learned to expect it from my mom, and I’ve had a lifetime of it coming from Chuck, but I thought we had something good going on between us. Something I could trust despite the fact that you’re sleeping with the enemy.”

She hated what that inferred. “You know that’s not true.”

“Maybe not literally, but you’re sleeping in his house, on his ranch. I’d be a fool not to think you weren’t part of this whole thing.”

“Then you’re a fool because I knew a few things, but I only learned the final details last night, after I left you. I had no idea that Chuck wanted to make your ranch part of Circle Starr. You’re assuming things about me that aren’t true. I know how much your ranch means to you. I would never have encouraged Chuck to make that part of the deal. Never.”

“So, you want me to believe you’re innocent in all of this? That Chuck isn’t using you to get to me, ‘cause it sure looks like that’s what he’s doing.”

Her stomach lurched, and her throat tightened. She’d once again been put in a situation that caused a complete misunderstanding. She didn’t blame Chuck, she blamed herself for not standing up to him early this morning, before the meeting after she’d had time to dwell on all the facts.

“Everything in that agreement can be negotiated. It’s not set in stone. I didn’t betray you. I’m not Chuck’s whore, Reese. He’s not my pimp.”

“It sure seems that way.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say.”

“I’m sorry, but I feel as if you betrayed me. That this is just another of Chuck’s elaborate schemes to fuck over the little guy, and this time, that little guy is his own son. And he used the woman I care about to do it. He’s a heartless bastard, Avery. Can’t you see that?”

Avery stood her ground. She couldn’t give in now, she just couldn’t. Chuck was only doing what he thought was best for everyone. She refused to believe there was anything else to it and was ready to fight for her beliefs when Machala’s advice flashed up on her mental screen: if you don’t change your loyalty soon, Reese will be a delightful memory.

“You might be right about everything, Reese. He may have used me, and he may be using you to build up his empire. I don’t know for sure. I can’t get into his head to know the truth, but neither can you. All I know is, I’m in the middle, and I care about you both.”

“Maybe it’s time to pick a side.”

“I can’t. Not now. Not with everything I have going on in my life.”

“And what’s that?”

She hadn’t wanted to tell Reese about her problems back in Phoenix, but at the moment, she didn’t really have much of a choice. “Something happened at my law firm, something that, depending on the outcome, could affect the rest of my life. I needed a friend, and Chuck was there for me. It seemed that everything in my life had taken a bad turn, and I was desperate for someplace to go to clear my head for a while. Chuck offered me that. I was doing fine for the first couple of weeks I was here, until I met you. You’re a complication I wasn’t expecting.”

“What kind of a bad turn?”

“What?”

“Your life? Your career? What kind of a bad turn?”

She didn’t really want to get into this right now.

“My law firm suspended me pending an investigation on conflict of interest charges. I may not get my job back, and could be disbarred if the charges are proven to be true.”

“Are they?”

“On some level, yes, they are. However, I had no idea the man I’d been having the affair with was my client’s husband. He’d given me false information about himself.”

Reese shook his head while he gazed down at the ground. She could tell this information hit a sour note with him.

“You were the other woman?” he asked, not really looking at her, but instead watching one of Chuck’s hired hands guide one of Chuck’s many horses back into the stable, which wasn’t far from the house. The ranch seemed busier today, with people and livestock getting shuffled around, pickups driving by, and cowboys moving supplies from one outbuilding to another.

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t check this guy out?” He still didn’t look at her.

“I didn’t think I needed to.”

If ever Avery regretted a decision, it was her trust of this man. She’d fallen hard and fast at a vulnerable time in her life, and it had proven to be the worst decision she’d ever made. She just hoped falling for Reese didn’t end up the same way.

He finally looked at her again. “Seems we’ve all been taken in by charmers.”

She dropped her arms to her sides, and sat down on the first step, hoping he’d come back up and join her. “I don’t know how to take that.”

Reese knew how to get under her skin with just a few words. She sometimes wondered if he didn’t have a window to her soul. No one seemed to understand her like he did. It was uncanny how he seemed to be able to sense something deeper when she tried her best to put forth a simple explanation.

“However you want. Were you serious about this guy?”

“Not really. We’d only been seeing each other for a few weeks. Looking back on it now, I know he was purposely using me to blow up his wife’s case . . . and he succeeded.”

“So you were having sex with this guy just a few weeks ago?”

Reese knew how to cut to the quick. How to sting where it hurt most, in the tender underbelly of his victims. She refused to let his words deter her. She knew his underbelly and it was weak and vulnerable, more so than hers.

“Why are you pushing me away, Reese? I thought you said I was the woman of your dreams?”

She wanted him to know she remembered what he’d told her about his dreams. That she’d been paying attention. That she cared. On some level, Reese was difficult for her to figure out. On the one hand, he seemed to lay everything out on the table, but then on a closer look, he’d tuck a few cards up his sleeve and toss them out when he felt cornered.

Apparently this was one of those times.

“You’ve got it wrong. What I said was you’re the woman from my dreams,” he said, trying to clarify his words.

A gentle breeze tossed her hair over her face, and Reese noticed. He started to reach out to her, but then abruptly stopped himself.

“Is there a difference?” she asked as she slowly removed the strand of hair from her face, then shook her head, allowing the wind to blow her hair all around. She knew she was tormenting Reese now and wanted to keep it going.

“Yes,” he said, but the word caught in his throat. He cleared his throat, then said it again. “Yes, there’s a difference.”

He ambled back up the steps as she stared into those emerald eyes of his, eyes that became a deeper shade of green whenever he became aroused. She stood to meet him, getting as close to him as possible. His eyes went at least two shades darker, and she intended to take full advantage of the moment.

“Maybe you can explain it to me,” she whispered, standing so close she could feel his warm breath on her face.

He took a couple steps back on the porch, shaking his head, then pointing his index finger, making little air circles. “This thing you do . . . this thing right here, is what’s messing me up. It’s what brought me to the Circle Starr today. It’s what drives me crazy and messes up my thinking. I can’t think straight when you’re anywhere near me.”

She purposely moved in even closer. He didn’t budge this time. “Why is that, do you think?”

“It’s those damn dreams. I can’t get them out of my head. I can’t get you out of my head. My need for you overshadows everything else, even my reason. I wouldn’t be reconsidering Chuck’s offer if it wasn’t for you. I wouldn’t be thinking that maybe he and I can work it out . . . renegotiate . . . come back to the table. That kind of power over another human being must be heady. Is it?”

“I wouldn’t know. So far I can barely get you to kiss me. You’re easily distracted.”

He stared at her for a moment, stared deep into her very soul, then he pushed his strong hands into her hair, cupping the sides of her face. He kissed her, deep and hard as if he owned her. As if she was his property.

As if he loved her.

 

 

THE NEXT FEW minutes happened in a frenzy of finding privacy in the middle of the day on a ranch that was overrun by people and livestock. Fortunately, the bedroom Avery had been occupying inside the Starr ranch house had its own entrance from the left side of the porch, the side that no one used. The side that was devoid of sitting areas, but for one single chair that Avery had put out there to gaze at the spectacular view on the first night of her arrival.

She’d tucked the key under the cushion, just in case she ever needed it. The front door opened with a combination from her phone, but the private side door had an actual key.

Reese tossed the blue folder on the chair, as they fell into the room in a rush of heat that Avery hadn’t been expecting. The previous night must have primed them both, because there was nothing that would stand in their way now.

Reese had already unbuttoned her jacket and slid it down her arms to land on the floor. Her silk blouse was next, then her bra, which came off without a moment of hesitation on Reese’s part. His mouth instantly clamped onto a breast, suckling her nipple until it blossomed in his mouth, then he worked on the other breast with such a force she thought her entire breast would be consumed by the power of his passion.

“Take off your skirt,” he demanded as he moved away from her, his eyes burning through her. “And everything else you’re wearing. I want to see you naked. Right now, surrounded by daylight.”

He slipped out of his shirt, his chest a desirous state of muscle and perfection. She reached out to touch him, but he moved away from her reach. “Not yet. First you. I want to see you . . . all of you.”

She unzipped her skirt, and it slid down to the floor. She stepped out of it. Then her slip fell to the floor as well. When she stuck her thumbs under the elastic of her black panties, she almost hesitated, reminding herself that there was no going back now. Whatever happened, wherever this would lead, she had to be all in or their relationship would end, right here and right now. She gazed up at him one more time, just to be sure he wanted this as much as she did.

“Take your time. We’re not in a hurry.” He reached out and cupped her chin, then gently kissed her. Reese Cooper was an all or nothing kind of man and she had to match that or end it.

When he moved back again, she stared into his ever-darkening eyes as she slid her panties down her legs, only gazing down once when she made sure she stepped out of them. Then she slipped out of her heels, and slid them to the side.

He was still staring at her when she looked up again, taking her body in inch by inch. “Move back and lean on the wall, part your legs and don’t move.” His voice, low and sexy, brought an immediate rush of pleasure through her body.

She did as she was told, feeling the coolness of the wall on her bare ass, back, and shoulders. He slowly knelt down in front of her, and at once began to lick and gently suckle her, spreading the folds of her womanhood with his tongue, then he gently inserted two fingers inside of her, causing her to collapse on top of him as she ran her hands down his back.

He moved out from under her, his lips wet and he told her to stand. “Open your legs wider, bend your knees if you have to. I want all of you. I want to be able to see and taste everything you have.”

She did as she was told, but her thighs trembled from the strain. He must have felt it because he picked her up and set her down on the edge of a chair, asking her to lean back, then placing each of her legs over the armrests. She complied, giving him everything he had asked for.

“Do it again,” she ordered. “Harder this time.”

He knelt down, and buried his head between her legs, his tongue pressing deep inside her, then rolling over her until she couldn’t take much more. When she was just about to reach climax, he pulled away and once again slid two fingers inside of her, then rotated his thumb over the nub of her center until she couldn’t hold back any longer. She stared into those emerald eyes of his as wave after wave of release swept over her body, causing her to arch her back, and groan with each passing wave. He ran a rough hand over each breast, triggering her to cry out in complete ecstasy, all the while his eyes never leaving hers.

When she was spent, he picked her up and gently put her down on the bed. Then he pulled out a condom from his pocket, unzipped his pants, and dropped them and his underwear to the floor.

She reached out and held his erection in her hand, feeling the weight of it, and longing to have it inside of her. When she let go, he slipped on the condom as she spread her legs one more time.

“My God, you’re beautiful,” he told her, gently kissing the nexus between her legs. “I love the way you’ve come into this with everything you have. You’re incredible.”

“Just tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it,” she told him, now completely under his spell.

“Bend your knees and let your legs fall open.”

She did as she was told exposing herself to him like she never had to any other man. She’d never felt like this in her entire life.

He gazed down at her for what seemed like minutes, driving her mad with anticipation, gently stroking all that she was showing him, his fingers touching every nuance of the most intimate part of her body, as if he was claiming her. Putting his mark on her.

Then he climbed up around her and he entered her slowly while he stared into her eyes, moaning with every thrust, his body on fire to her touch. By the time she wrapped her legs around his back, their bodies glistened with sweat.

Soon their rhythm met a steady pace that forced her to push down harder, wanting all of him inside of her. When the rhythm took on a faster tempo, she held onto the sheets on either side of them as she exploded in a torrent of shivers and pulses that erupted from so deep within her she couldn’t help the tears that slipped down the sides of her face.

He dropped over the cliff with her, as the last of his thrusts forced her to hold onto him with all her strength.

For the next few minutes, neither one of them moved, but instead waited until their breathing became normal again. Then slowly Reese pulled out of her, and rolled onto his back as she cuddled up in the crook of his arm, resting her head on his chest.

“Do you always make love with such intensity?” she asked, finally getting to feel that strong chest of his.

“That was the first time,” he whispered, still trying to catch his breath.

She pushed herself up and looked at him. “You mean I took your virginity?”

He smiled. “Woman, you took my soul.”

She snuggled back down onto him. “Then my work here is done.”

A deep chuckle erupted in the back of his throat. “It’s only just begun,” he said, and rolled out of bed. “Tell me you have a private shower.”

“I do,” she said. “What are you suggesting?”

“Something sinful and fun,” he said, a wicked smile on his face. “Are you up for it?”

“The question is are you up for it?”

He looked down at his now spent erection. “Not quite yet, but I will be,” he told her and she rolled out of bed, grabbed his hand and led him to her private bathroom.

She could tell this was going to be an incredible day.

 

 

IT WAS WELL past midnight by the time Reese walked out of Avery’s private bedroom door, quietly closing it behind him, and headed home. The almost moonless night served to hide his emotions about what had just happened. Even the chill in the air was a welcome relief from all the intense heat he’d experienced while in Avery’s company.

Most of the day had been spent in bed, either engaged in some rather down and dirty, sinful lovemaking or recovering from it. Never in his entire life had he ever experienced a woman so exciting and free with her body as Avery Templeton. She’d given herself over to him without reservations, without shame and without discussion. Whatever he’d wanted, she’d done. And in turn, whatever she’d wanted, he eagerly gave. Kaya had provided nourishment a couple of times when Avery had ventured out into the kitchen, trying her best to pretend like nothing other than heavy conversation was taking place behind closed doors. But Reese had a feeling no matter how Avery tried to hide it, by pinning up her hair, slipping on actual clothes, and even fixing her makeup, she couldn’t hide the sex flush that permeated her skin and the continuous smirk that she seemed to have little control over.

His phone had been buzzing on and off all day, but he’d chosen to ignore the calls, all from his siblings. He assumed it was nothing urgent. Nothing happened on the ranch that one of them couldn’t take care of, so he assumed what they all wanted was information about the meeting, which Reese was in no mood or shape to give.

It had been a day that he would never forget, but also a day he was already regretting, which was why he’d left Avery sleeping like an infant, wrapped in a tangle of sheets and blankets. He also left the blue folder with Chuck’s absurd offer sitting on the chair right outside her bedroom door.

That meeting and what had been offered had haunted him throughout the day, and contributed to the way he’d made love to Avery. He’d wanted to show her who was in charge, who was making the decisions between them, not only about the two ranches, but also about his relationship with her.

He wanted to prove to her once and for all that he couldn’t be pushed around, that Chuck Starr’s money meant nothing to him, and that she meant nothing to him as long as she was connected to Chuck.

But something happened the last time they’d made love. The last time they’d kissed. The last time she’d given herself to him so completely that something broke inside of him. Something he’d been holding onto his entire life. Something he shared with his father, and no one else.

Their deep-rooted hatred for Chuck Starr.

That hatred had begun to shatter with the tenderness Avery had showed him despite his brashness, and his dominance over her. She’d touched his soul when she gazed into his eyes, never once looking away when he did things to her he’d never done to a woman before, never thought to do. All through it, she’d shown him nothing but gentleness and a willingness to try anything he could dream up.

When she’d wanted him to tie her hands to the headboard, that’s when he’d backed away, when he realized Avery’s lovemaking was honest and genuine while he’d been acting. Testing her. Trying to make her see just how much better he was than any other man she’d been with. How much stronger he was, and how much she needed to trust him.

But all that had changed the last time he felt her body tense then release under his. Once he allowed himself to fully accept her touch, allowed himself to completely enjoy her embrace, decided to go with whatever she had to offer him, the barrier he’d tried to keep up had cracked wide open and he’d realized that he’d been wrong about Avery’s loyalty to Chuck.

The Avery Templeton who had just made love to Reese Cooper, in the purest sense of those words, could not be wrong about Chuck.

The man who had given up his table in the restaurant for Reese and his mom, the man who had taught Avery how to ride a horse, the man who had once loved Reese’s mother, the man who had given him life, and that same man who wanted to give Reese half of everything he’d worked to achieve was in fact not the devil.

He was simply a man who wanted a relationship with his only son, and Avery had proved it in the purest form, proved that she had been telling the truth all along.

Now all Reese had to do was believe it.