A Rancher's Reward, page 12
She laughed, glad he was trying to lighten the mood after a serious conversation. “I checked online apartment ads from my car and chose the first place I visited. The next day, I found the job with Miriam. Everything just kind of worked out from there.”
“Do you like your job?”
Her laugh was humorless. “It’s okay. But I’m an event coordinator who only gets assigned to work on weddings. Like it’s some sick karmic joke because I walked out on my own.”
“Ouch.”
She shook her head roughly. “I can’t believe I’m out here unloading everything on you. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to tell you all of this. I’m afraid I’ve ruined a great ride.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” Garrett assured her. “Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you told me.”
She hadn’t meant to tell him any of those things. “I know that this is only a fake relationship, but I’m glad I told you too. You’re easy to talk to.”
“So are you.”
When they arrived at Hardwell Ranch, they rode to the stables. Garrett dismounted first and helped her from her own horse before they handed them off to a ranch hand who would put them in for the night.
“That was great,” she told him. “Thank you. It was awesome to get back on a horse and explore nature.”
“Thanks for coming out with me. I don’t often get to go on leisurely rides with beautiful women.”
“I don’t know about that,” she said. “I’m sure there are many women who would go with you.”
“But none of them are my future wife.”
“You’re right. You know, this whole day, I kind of forgot about our arrangement.” It had just been the two of them all afternoon. The ride had felt more like a date than anything they’d done yet—it was intimate, they’d shared and they’d done so without an audience.
“Me too,” he said with a smile. “Normally, I just ride by myself. I like the solitude, and it helps me clear my head. But I’m glad we did it together.”
“Me too.” She knew that she was supposed to be keeping her distance, but she literally felt herself gravitating toward him, getting closer. Before she could stop herself, she said the words that she should have swallowed. “Do you have any plans tonight? We could get dinner.”
“Darlin’, I’d love nothing more than to say no. But Elias and I are heading to Fort Worth for a rodeo.”
Deflated, she nodded. She guessed it would be another night of movies and snacks on Dylan’s couch. “That sounds fun.” She didn’t want to appear desperate. This wasn’t a real relationship. To Garrett, she knew that this was an arrangement where he would just text her if he needed a date.
“Trust me, I would much rather do whatever you had in mind when you asked.”
She had to disengage from this conversation. She’d already revealed so much about herself that afternoon that she didn’t want to make herself look desperate for his attention. “Oh, it was nothing.” Stupid. This was exactly what he’d warned her about. The ranch would always be his priority. Not a relationship. “We both have to eat, right? If you need your fake girlfriend for anything else, just give me a call, and I can come to Applewood.”
He must have noticed her change in demeanor. “Thanks for the offer. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?” She didn’t give him time to respond. “I’d better let you go get ready for your trip to Fort Worth,” she said. “Can you give me a ride back to Dylan’s?”
Ten
When Cathy had learned that Willa had come to town, she’d insisted on a Monday-morning meeting to go over some ideas for the ceremony venue before she went back to High Pine. For the amount of time Willa spent in Applewood, she figured she might as well move back. Hah! No chance of that! she laughed to herself. Sure, she’d spent the weekend wrapped in a still, comfortable small-town cocoon, but after her embarrassing display of asking Garrett to dinner and getting shot down, she realized that she’d been an idiot. It reminded her that she and Garrett weren’t really building a relationship, and that when there was no one around, he would always consider her just an acquaintance. He’d even told her when they’d started that he would always put the ranch first. He’d given her a fair warning, and she hadn’t heeded it. But one thing Willa knew was that she would never be with a man who didn’t make her a priority.
As she sat on Dylan’s couch—alone on a Saturday evening, watching Julia Roberts pretend to be Richard Gere’s girlfriend for a week—she knew that it wouldn’t work out like that for her. She would be Garrett’s wife, but it would be all business. No climbing the fire escape or declarations of undying love. After the two years was up, their ending would be a quick annulment and a check. Which was fine with her.
She knew exactly where Cathy was leading her. She’d imagined that the trail to the old swimming hole would be overgrown, but it was surprisingly manicured. When they came to the secluded clearing, Willa smiled as the memories came flooding back. At the end of the trail was a small waterfall that emptied into a round pool and connected stream. She, Dylan and Garrett used to swim and fish there as kids, but what she remembered was the way, upon sunset, the sun would fall over the distant hills, creating the most beautiful skies she’d ever seen.
It was also the very place, where she and Garrett had slept together that night more than a decade ago. They’d gone to the secluded spot to watch a meteor shower. He’d laid a blanket, and she’d smuggled a bottle of wine from Patsy’s Diner. They’d gotten tipsy and watching the stars had turned to kisses, and then led to much, much more...
“You know, in my few years living here on the ranch, I’ve barely been down here myself,” Cathy said, pulling Willa from her trip down memory lane.
“The ranch is so expansive, it would be hard for one to explore its every corner and cranny.”
Willa looked up to see Garrett approach. It was no surprise that she would run in to him; the ranch was his home, after all. He was on horseback, and she had forgotten what a fine figure he cut on a horse. With the reins in his firm, capable hands, he commanded the animal with grace that belied his rugged exterior.
“It is absolutely stunning here,” Cathy said. “I want our event to be small but tasteful. It’s the second wedding for both of us.”
“There’s no reason why you can’t do everything you’ve ever wanted,” Willa reminded her. “We could have the ceremony here, and even flip it in time to have the reception here also.”
“Oh, I love it here so much.”
“We would just have to work out the logistics for getting the food and band down here.”
She had expected Garrett to pass right on by them. But instead, he came to a stop in front of them. After saying hello to Cathy, he turned to Willa. “Can I talk to you?”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll be right back,” she told Cathy.
He tied his horse to a nearby post, and they walked to a small toolshed that was nearby. They went around the back so that they could have some privacy. “It looks amazing down by the stream.”
“Yeah, I fixed it up a few years back. I like to go down there every now and then.”
“You did?” She wondered if the small piece of land held the importance to him that it did to her. But no, she told herself. It wasn’t like that night so many years ago held any significance to him. “I think we might have the wedding down there. It’s beautiful.”
He removed his hat and pushed his fingers through his hair. “I feel like I did something to upset you on Saturday.”
“No, don’t worry about it.”
“I’d had those plans with Elias. We were special guests. If I led you on—”
“You didn’t. We had a nice time on our ride. I was just kind of hungry and thought you might be too.”
“I told you that this is what I do,” he reminded her. “The ranch and the business are my priority.”
“I know, and I get that.”
“Okay. How would you like to come back to Applewood next weekend?”
“Why?”
“Cathy and Elias want to take us to dinner on Friday. I know he just wants to watch us up close, to make sure we’re actually a couple, so we’ll have to be convincing.”
“I can do that. I’ll drive out after work on Friday. I’ll tell Dylan to expect me.”
“That’s another thing. I’d like you to stay at my place.”
“Oh really?”
“You can stay in my guest room, of course. But I feel like it’s time to take it to the next level.” Her eyes shot to his, and he continued. “Not like that, of course,” he assured her.
“Okay,” she agreed. “That’s something I can do.”
“Send me a list of your favorite foods and necessities. I’ll make sure my housekeeper has everything you need.”
She nodded. “Anything else I have to know about this dinner?”
“Not really. Like always, we just need to put on a show that we’re crazy about each other, pretend that we can’t keep our hands off each other.”
Willa didn’t need to pretend, but she didn’t say as much. “I can do that, I think,” she said.
“Good,” Garrett murmured, taking a step closer to her. “But I’m right here if you think you need some practice.” He reached for her, and she allowed him to pull her into his embrace.
“There’s nothing wrong with a little practice,” she whispered, unable to help herself as her palms slid up his torso. His chest was warm, firm, and his arms were strong, wrapped around her. Despite herself, and against every bit of willpower she had to keep the arrangement, to protect herself, she looked up at him. His eyes were on her, and before she could push away from him, his lips lowered to meet hers.
His lips were full, firm and fully confident. She and Garrett had kissed before, but this felt different. Urgent. As his palms explored up and down her back, before threatening to dip lower, she fell into the kiss and his embrace. She parted her lips, and he deepened the kiss and pulled her closer. The way he felt, the way he tasted, the way he smelled—the mingling of soap, outdoors and his desire—triggered every one of her senses.
Garrett wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, pinning her between his strong chest and the rough exterior of the shed. It might have been ruining the fine material of her blouse, but that couldn’t have been further from her mind. In fact, she wouldn’t even care if he ripped it from her body.
With her legs spread, wrapped around Garrett’s waist, her skirt bunched at her hips; and even though he was kissing her like he needed her mouth to survive, Garrett noticed. He drew his fingers along the strip of satin that separated him from her core. Just that simple, most intimate touch forced a gasp from her throat. But when he pushed her panties aside, she couldn’t hold back. She arched her back and flexed her hips against him, wordlessly urging him on. “So hot,” he whispered against her lips with a grin.
He slid his fingers along her most needy spot, and she gave a loud cry before he dipped his fingers inside her. Despite every promise she’d made to tell herself that she would not let this get out of control, she needed this. She craved his touch, and she never wanted him to stop. He grunted in her ear, a rough noise so primal that it sent a shiver down her spine as she ground against him, wanting more, needing more.
Supporting her, keeping her up with one arm, he used his hand to bring her to a height of pleasure she’d never experienced with a man. She bit her lip so that anyone who was nearby wouldn’t hear, but that didn’t diminish the thrill that at any second they might be caught. She’d never been so reckless or wanton. Garrett brought that out in her.
Willa’s breathing was heavy as she shamelessly rocked against him, soaking up every amount of pleasure he cared to give her. “I’m coming,” she told him, unable to focus on anything but how he was making her feel. She buried her mouth in his shoulder and cried out, tensed and shattered in his arms before settling against him. He kissed her temple, and when she shifted, he let her down. She stood before him on shaky legs. They were both still dressed, and it was still somehow one of the most erotic moments of her life. She adjusted her clothing, part of her wishing he’d just ripped the clothes straight from her body.
Then she’d have to return to her meeting with Cathy half naked. With a moan, she pushed on Garrett’s chest. She had to get back to Cathy.
Garrett was reaching for her again. “Why don’t you let me take you back to my place? We can do that the proper way.”
“Garrett, wait,” she said as she struggled to catch her breath.
“Everything okay?”
Nothing was okay. In just a few moments of weakness, she’d completely forgotten about her vow to keep whatever was between them platonic and businesslike. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she lied. “That was—”
“Intense.”
She couldn’t believe she was about to say this. “Yeah, and it shouldn’t happen again.”
“No?”
“We’ve talked about this,” Willa told him. “It’s too complicated. We can kiss and touch when we’re in front of people, to keep up the charade, but when we’re alone, we have to keep it to ourselves. I’m afraid of blurring the lines between the fake relationship and our friendship, and whatever our hormones are telling us to do.”
He took a step back. “You’re right. This is too important to screw up.” He raised his hands. “I’m sorry.”
“I am too.”
“Willa?” Cathy called from a short distance away. She was close, and Willa had no idea if the woman had heard her as she’d cried out at Garrett’s touch.
“I’m coming,” she called back, unintentionally using a phrase she had just uttered in Garrett’s arms.
“You sure did,” he said with a grin.
“Oh, shut it, you,” she said, playfully, glad that, no matter what had happened, Garrett was still her friend and that there were no hard feelings. She took one final look at him and then went off to find Cathy.
Eleven
“It’s nice to see you two spending so much time together,” Elias said from across the table at the restaurant.
Garrett nodded and draped his arm over Willa’s chair. “We try. It’s tough with her living in High Pine.”
Elias turned his attention to Willa. “Have you thought about moving back home?” He had a twinkle in his eye. “Especially if things are getting serious between you.”
Willa’s mouth dropped open, and she looked to Garrett for guidance. He put his hand over hers. “Elias, what’s with all the questions? I thought we were just having a nice dinner together.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not interested in my grandson’s life. I’m just wondering how serious this has gotten. Maybe you’re already close to getting married. I don’t know.”
Garrett bit back the annoyance he felt and tried his best to level his voice. “We’re not discussing marriage yet. It’s too soon for that. Right now, we’re getting to know each other.”
Willa nodded and put her hand on his thigh in a supportive gesture. But a frisson of electricity shot directly to his groin. Thankfully, the long white tablecloth covered his lap, and she couldn’t see the impact her touch had had on him.
“I, for one, am pleased to see the two of you together. Garrett, you couldn’t have found a better woman than Willa. She’s sweet, kind, attentive—but I know she’s tough,” Cathy said.
“Yeah, I know.” He smiled down at her, and he knew that the attention embarrassed her a little. “She is all of those things.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she told him. “I know that you might be suspicious, Elias,” she said, turning her attention to his grandfather. “We reconnected right after your announcement, and we just went from there. But I think it was just fate. We enjoy each other’s company, and it just feels right.”
“Couldn’t have said it any better myself,” Garrett said, drawing his fingertips down her cheek, capturing her attention. “It was like fate.” Their eyes connected, and he knew that the want and need in her eyes was reflected in his.
The waiter chose that moment to arrive with their entrées, and it broke the connection with Willa. He cleared his throat and drank some water. He thought of the last time he’d touched her. His hands traveling up and down her back before he’d lifted and pinned her to the side of the shed. It was a regrettable moment for him—not because he shouldn’t have kissed her or touched her, especially when she’d been so adamant that they keep their hands to themselves; but because she deserved better than a quick grope and an orgasm on the side of a storage shed.
But since that day earlier in the week, he’d been consumed by the thought of getting her in his bed, even though they’d agreed to not let their hormones call the shots. After dinner, she’d be coming home with him—even though she would be in his guest room. He wasn’t sure how he’d be able to concentrate on anything knowing that she was under his roof and he couldn’t touch her.
* * *
Willa was quiet on the drive to Garrett’s house. All week, she hadn’t been able to think of anything else but the fact that she would be spending the night there. It would be next to impossible to sleep in his home, especially since he would clearly let her into his bed, even though it shouldn’t happen. If he wasn’t going to respect the rules they’d put in place, she would have to be the responsible one here and pump the brakes before they went too far.
The truck turned up the gravel road and passed the sign for Hardwell Ranch. Her heartbeat sped up in her chest, and she wondered if Garrett had clocked the deep breaths she’d been taking to steady it. They drove past the main ranch house and continued a short distance to Garrett’s.
