Brokenhearted Beauty(Divine Creek Ranch 19)(65)

“You keep coming to the classes, Presley Ann, and we’ll get some more practice in. It’s good to see you doing so well these days.”

Presley Ann smiled at him and then turned to Leah. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting. Do you think we can come back next week for the second class?”

Leah frowned, wondering in a knee-jerk reaction what her sister’s real motivation was.

Vincent smiled at her and said, “I hope you both do. Doll, next time I’ll wear my riot gear.” Laughter bubbled from her as he leaned down and kissed her on the lips and whispered, “The woman I love builds people up even when she’s struggling herself.”

As Vincent went around the car to shake Presley Ann’s hand and open the passenger side door for her, James drew closer. “You okay, honey?”

“Sure. Vincent told me that you’re having a visitor on Saturday.”

He nodded as he studied her face. “Did he invite you to come?”

“Yes. I think I might…”

He caressed the edge of her jaw. “Only if you feel up to it and if it doesn’t interfere with your schedule. We’d love to have you.”

“I may have this Saturday off. I’ll have to see.” She didn’t really abide by a schedule much, at least as far as taking time off was concerned. “Because I was away for three days, I have work to get caught up on but…”

James just raised an eyebrow and didn’t say anything else. She already knew how he felt about her long hours.

“He’ll be arriving around midafternoon and we’re planning on making supper at our place. You can come for all or part of that time, and you’re welcome to stay after he leaves, too.”

He capped that final hopeful-sounding note off with a kiss that was both tender and wanting, and then pulled away just as her heart started pounding and need bloomed to life inside her. Yeah, it was good thing she had to take her sister home or she’d be making crazy decisions right there in the parking lot.

Both men waved as she started her car and waited for her to drive off before turning to their own trucks.

“James and Vincent are nice,” Presley Ann said as she adjusted her seat belt.

“Yeah,” she murmured softly in reply. “They are.”

“They love you.”

She didn’t hear any whiny notes of jealousy in Presley Ann’s voice but wondered what her purpose was in saying that. “Think so?”

“Yeah, I have for a while. When they say good night to you, it sounds like they don’t want to say good night. Do they know you’re considering moving to Abilene?”

“Yeah,” Leah said and cleared the lump in her throat as she tried to imagine doing exactly that.

“You’ll be breaking their hearts if you do. Do you love them?”

“Hush now.”

Presley Ann gently touched Leah’s forearm. “I know I haven’t done much in my lifetime to earn your respect or affection. I was spoiled and rotten, and horrible to you but I do know what love looks like, and what it feels like,” she said, placing a hand on her abdomen. “And if you lose them from your life, you’ll never be the same. You’ll have regrets to live with, just like I do. Do you love them?”

The lump in her throat kept her from speaking so she nodded and quickly swiped a tear from her cheek.

“Well, then, sis, you’re crazy if you leave, because they’d give you the moon and the stars and everything they had.”

She’d set out to make a rational, well-thought-out, professional decision based on the facts but even her normally troublesome sister was making sense. The rest of the drive was made in silence with only her own thoughts to torment her.





Chapter Thirteen




“Find the missing piece, fluff,” he whispered as he held Leah close. She opened her eyes and her vision was distorted by the sun shining brightly on her face, but it didn’t hurt her eyes as she blinked, trying to focus them. The scent of fresh spring grass and other verdant things filled the air.

“Find the missing piece, fluff,” he whispered as he pressed his lips and his nose against her throat. “You smell so good.” His lips were supple and warm as he nuzzled her.

She tried to lift her hand to touch his face, to shield her eyes, so she could see him but her arms remained immobile.

The sound that came from his throat was a cross between a purr and a growl and her pussy quivered with need as he slowly licked and sucked at her tender flesh, sending shivers racing over her bare skin.

“The missing piece, fluff. Find it,” he whispered as he caressed her cheek. She wanted to turn her head so she could kiss his hand but her head remained loose, lying on the soft cushion of grass. He spread kisses lower, between her breasts, a soft groan coming from his lips before he uttered, “You’re so beautiful.”