Tease!
She ogled both man and horse as they trotted away. The horse was obviously a powerful, headstrong animal, but Julián looked magnificent on his back, fully in control of all that power. He looked back at her, casting a sexy grin at her before they galloped away.
When he’d looked into her eyes, he seemed to be searching—but she wasn’t sure what for. Given their conversation on Christmas Eve it was likely that he wished he could fix the situation with her ranch. She wished it was in his power but that was all on her.
Her phone vibrated in her back pocket and she slipped it out to find that a text message had just arrived. Shielding her phone from the sun’s glare as she sat on Tutti’s back, Gwen grinned when she realized that Chris had sent her a picture message.
“Oh lord, he better not be texting me a picture of his bicep…or his butt.”
He had a really nice beefy ass and Gwen had told him so in the shower. He’d made her laugh, preening for several minutes after. She’d laughed more with them in the last few days than she had in months and it felt good. She swiped the screen and squinted at the picture. He’d taken a shot of himself from his driver seat, his black felt cowboy hat on his head. Do either of them have any idea how damned sexy they are in those hats? He was grinning at the camera, an irrepressible twinkle in his eyes, making a kissie-face at her.
The text message he added to the picture said, “I’m sending you a phone-kiss until I can give you the real thing. Hope everything went okay with Mr. Wilson.”
“Stinker,” she said with a giggle, feeling like a big melting puddle of warm goo just because he’d sent her a phone-kiss. What? Am I like fourteen or something?
In reply she typed, “You’d better not be texting and driving, Mr. Kissie-face. I like your picture very much.”
She wanted to type “I love your picture” but thought that might be too much. She didn’t want to make him uncomfortable or put herself in a more complicated situation than she was already in. Yeah, because if you were in love that would really complicate everything, wouldn’t it? Who are you kidding? You’re already falling. How could you resist?
Her phone buzzed again, distracting her from her ruminating.
“I would never text and drive. I’m like a Boy Scout or something. Always prepared. Speaking of which, I bought more condoms and lube!” There was a big winking smiley face with that message and she giggled.
“You big horn dog!”
“Yes, ma’am, but I’m your horn dog.”
She took a beat formulating a reply and said, “Oh, what the hell. He’s so damned sweet I can’t help myself.”
She typed, “If I offered treats would you come for me?” Her cheeks heated as she sent the text.
“Every time, guaranteed. *pant-pant* I’ll even beg.”
Running out of cute doggy analogies because her panties were now soaked, she typed, “I can’t wait to see you. I’m in the mood for something wild tonight.”
“I can’t wait. I’ve had a craving for you all afternoon.”
“I’ll see you when I get home.” She sent the message and then realized she referred to their place as home. She bit her lip, wondering what he’d say to that.
“See you then, Elmer Fudd.”
She shook her head and giggled as she put her phone back in her pocket, letting him have the last word. A minute later her phone vibrated again and she smiled, thinking maybe he needed to send one last teasing message.
Recognizing Roger Bedford’s phone number on the screen, she felt grim reality settle on her shoulders like a heavy mantle.
“Hello, Roger,” she said quietly, almost afraid to find out why he was calling.
“Hello, darlin’. I was just calling to give you an update.”
“Where’s Dad?” She didn’t mind that he was calling—exactly. It just struck her as odd that Roger was calling instead of her father.
“He went in to Rio Blanco.”
“What’s he doing? How’s he doing?”
“He’s pretty torn up. He wishes you’d come home.”
Attempting to rein the sarcasm in, she replied, “That’s not what he told me last week.”
“Darlin’, none of us were thinking very clearly last week. He was upset. You were in shock. I don’t think he intended for you to drive off with that decrepit trailer filled with your stuff.”
“I couldn’t just sit there and watch them disassemble what’s been in my family for four generations, Roger. I couldn’t stay without falling completely apart. In order to get the ranch back, I’ve got to barrel race for one more year. Who knows, maybe I can make more contacts and get a head start on my business venture when I get back. But I have to bring in some serious money.”