"Okay lead on then."
When we reached the truck Drake spoke to her softly, like I do to one of the heifers when she’s about to drop, or when she’s acting fractious while waiting to be covered by the bull. Most females tend to react better to a soft touch when faced with these types of situations, no matter the species.
She had her head hanging low, her wild abundance of hair covering her up so that I couldn’t get a view of her face. From what little I could see, she really was a little bitty thing with barely any meat on the arms that were exposed by the summer top she wore.
I felt that seizing in my heart again. Poor little mite, she must be scared out of her mind, all alone in a strange place with no friends or family, and on the run. I didn’t know who she was and already I felt sorry for her.
I got closer when it looked like Drake was through talking to her, ready to offer my hospitality and try to put her mind at ease.
When she lifted her head and looked at me, I took the punch to the gut and barely kept myself from stumbling over my own two feet. Fucking gorgeous. How could someone...I let the thought drift away since there were no real answers to that one.
"Amanda this is my brother Caleb, Caleb Amanda Stone."
"Nice to meet you Ms. Stone." I tried holding her amazing eyes with mine, but she ducked her head and that wild mane fell forward blocking her from view.
"Amanda please, or, or just Mandy, that's what most people call me."
Holy shit! Her voice sounded like illicit sex in a smoke filled room.
Something actually slid down my back and into my gut. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, but I knew it spelt trouble.
I haven’t felt that feeling since the first time I got into the ring with a bull. And you need to chill the fuck out Dunbar, don't even go there.
Chapter 2
"Well Amanda, you want to come on in let me show you around?" I was surprised that my voice actually worked, because there was something beating in my chest that seemed like it would cut off my air supply any second.
Drake opened the door and helped her down and I really saw how vulnerable she was. She barely reached my chest in the ratty canvas sneakers she wore, and her body was whisper thin.
Her scent was about to knock me on my ass though; in fact everything about her was getting to me. She was the perfect height, the perfect size, the perfect everything.
One look at her and I had visions of picking her up and holding her ass in my hands while I...well fuck Caleb, seriously?
She’s hurt, she’s scared and she’s coming to you for help and all you can think about is having her under you?
But dammit I’m just a man, one who had gone from getting pussy on the regular while I was on the circuit, to going cold turkey here at home. Not that I didn’t have options, just none that I was interested in.
She smells like fucking strawberries and sunshine. The sun glinted off of her dark blonde hair and highlighted the many shades of gold and red hidden there.
Her complexion was healthy and clear without a speck of makeup, and she looked so young, and so fucking hurt.
She was also pushing all the right buttons for me. In short, just looking at her made me want to snatch her up and cover her.
She would so get lost under me, my bulk, her tiny little ass...shit what is up with me anyway? It’s like I took one look at her and all my senses went straight to my dick.
She looked around as if she were expecting to be jumped any second and that shit fucked with my head.
It was unbelievable to me that someone had hurt her, even attempted to put out such a bright light; the guy had to be a fucking heel.
Now she was my responsibility, mine to protect; heaven help the asshole who tries to get to her now.
“Do you want to look around out here first?” I figured if I showed her how well protected the place was, and how long it would take someone to get to the house, that it might go a long way to easing some of her fears.
“Sure, if you think that’s best.” Skittish, definitely skittish! That’s fine, I’ll just tell the boys to walk soft.
She didn’t ask any questions when I showed her around outside the house. I didn’t take her out any farther today, because it wasn’t necessary, but sometime in the near future I’d take care of that.
***
I showed her around inside the ranch house next. It was kind of a monstrosity for an unmarried bachelor, but when I built the place five years ago I'd built it with the future in mind.
She seemed captivated by my game room, that's where I kept my many trophies from my days on the rodeo circuit, and the game heads from my hunts. I hope to fuck she wasn't intimidated.
"So um, Mr. Drake didn't tell me what I'd be doing...." I could listen to her voice all day, I won’t get shit done, but it’d be worth it.