Rich, Rugged Ranchers

She waited, and he backed off, then she brought her lips to his to sip first, and then draw out the moment. It was just as good as she’d remembered as an innocent girl of fifteen. Memories rushed forth of the glory and newness of Logan’s kiss. His mouth accommodated hers now, just as before, but this time she was initiating the kiss. She pressed her mouth fully over his lips and deepened the connection. The world went a little fuzzy then. Logan’s breath rushed out and he removed his hand from her breast. The loss was keenly felt. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and brought her up tight against his chest. Sophia took control again. She parted her lips, and slipped her tongue inside his mouth. She tasted him with a sweeping exploration and he joined in, their tongues mating.

Satisfied that Logan had relinquished control, Sophia couldn’t let things go too far. Up until today, Logan had called all the shots. But putting a stop to Logan Slade’s passion wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. He was a man who thrilled her and made her dizzy with desire. He, and only he, brought out an incredible, nearly insatiable hunger in her. Ever since the day that he’d first kissed her behind the gym, Sophia had dreamed of him and hated him at the same time for turning a beautiful memory into something sordid and obscene.

Summoning her willpower and abandoning the innate pleasure, she inched back, slowly pulling away from him until their lips were no longer locked.

Logan felt the loss, his gaze darting to her lips immediately. His expression changed from desire to determination. He reached for her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Crushing her to his chest, he slid his chair back; the jarring noise echoed against the stone floor. He stood, bringing her up with him. They faced each other now. A blaze of hunger lit his eyes, telling her he would take her here, right now.

A shocking thrill coursed through her body. Suddenly the battle lines got blurry, and she wondered if she was making a mistake in backing away. Everything fluid and tingling in her body said Yes to this man. Yet her mind told her to resist and not give Logan what he wanted. What she wanted. It would never be right between them.

“No, Logan,” she whispered, nearly breathless. She put her hands firmly against him and pushed. The solid wall of his chest didn’t budge. Frustrated, she took a step back, needing to create space between them. “We’re not doing this. We can’t.”

He blinked and looked at her, the fire in his eyes replaced by an intense stare.

This had been a bad idea from the start. She was a ravaged mess with her shirt askew, her hair mussed and her lips bruised from his kiss. She realized too late that she’d played with fire. And she would get burned, too. Yet she couldn’t relent. She had to stand her ground. It was the only way.

“Let me guess,” he said with a rasp. “This is about getting even with me for high school and Ruth Polanski?”

Sophia closed her eyes. Her little payback plan had backfired. She refused to give him an answer. Instead, when her eyes opened, it was to look at his beautiful mouth wishing for things that would never be. Tension crackled in the air.

“Two brothers in one day, Sophia. Is that your style now?”

“Luke kissed me as a friend,” she shot back quickly. “To thank me for helping with Ruth’s party.” Why did it always come back to Luke? “It was a peck on the cheek and nothing more.”

Logan frowned and his eyes filled with disgust. “And you kissed me, why? To prove a point? To get back at me for something stupid I did as a kid in high school?”

It was the first time she’d heard Logan refer to that time with regret. She nodded. “Yes, yes. I admit it, Logan. You needed a dose of your own medicine. You needed to come down off your throne and not pass judgment on me unfairly. I wanted to prove a point. You don’t like it when the roles are reversed, do you? When you’re the one being played?”

He heaved a breath, as if trying to temper his impatience. “Sweetheart, if you think I was being played,” he said, pointing at her disheveled appearance, “then take a good look in the mirror. You enjoyed every second of my hands on you.”

Shaking, Sophia fumbled to tie up her T-shirt and thread her fingers through her mussed hair. As she straightened herself out, she was aware of Logan’s eyes on her. His statement was true—she’d nearly been ravaged by him before she’d come to her senses. Slowly, she lifted her lashes to look at him. “I … know.”

He flinched. Her honesty surprised him and she witnessed a debate going on in the depths of his dark eyes. It was as if he were being pulled in two directions—either to take her back into his arms and finish what they’d started or to take his leave.

Moments ticked by.

Sophia watched him carefully, her body immobile. What she’d just admitted to him was ludicrous and yet it was the truth.

“Hell, I need some air,” he said finally. He grabbed his hat, plunked it on his head and took a few steps toward the door. Then he pivoted to face her one last time. “We have to work together, Sophia. Meet me in my office tomorrow afternoon. We’ll go over the plans then.”

She gave him a brisk nod.

And then he was gone.

Five

With morning sunlight at his back, Logan gunned his truck, heading for Carson Memorial Hospital. He turned up the volume on the radio, trying to focus on the words of a Tim McGraw song. But the lyrics didn’t sink in. Instead, an image of Sophia Montrose sprawled across his lap, arching toward him, giving him access to her body, flashed into his mind. He couldn’t drown those memories out with loud music. He couldn’t concentrate on business ventures. No matter how much he’d tried, the recollection of Sophia’s velvet-soft mouth brushing his, her firm flesh under his fingertips, the swell of her full, beautiful breasts in his palms continued to plague his thoughts.

Last night after leaving the cottage, he’d drowned out those images with a bottle of Jack Daniels. But today he’d hoped to hell he could fight the mental battles on his own. He refused to fall victim to Sophia Montrose, beautiful and desirable as she was, because he knew better. He’d seen what his father’s love for a Montrose had done to his family.

When he’d been in high school he wanted to teach Sophia a lesson. He’d wanted to put her in her place. He’d wanted to lash out at her. He’d kissed her, never expecting that he’d be the one to learn a lesson. That kiss had startled him, and he’d been surprised at his own reaction to her. He’d never expected it to be so good. Sophia had made him feel as if he could conquer the world. And damn it, last night, and as much as he’d fought it, that same feeling had returned.

He reached the hospital, and pulled into a parking space, hoping a visit with Luke would clear his mind. He was concerned for his brother. Luke would heal from his injuries, but he’d be a bear to live with during his recovery.

Logan got out of his truck and strode purposefully through the front doors. He walked through the lobby, and took the elevator up. The doors opened to the third floor and, as he marched past a row of rooms, he kept his eyes trained straight ahead. He didn’t like looking in on people in their sickbeds. His brother was too young to be laid up in a hospital. Though Luke had taken his share of tumbles while in the rodeo, he’d usually wound up getting patched up in the emergency room and sent on his way.

Logan reached his brother’s room and stopped by the door to steal a look inside.

Luke had a smile on his weary face, a brighter expression than yesterday. It was a relief to see him looking a little better until Logan noticed that he wasn’t alone. There was a reason for his brother’s good mood.

Sophia was in the room.

She smiled at Luke, her gaze focused only on him as she moved toward his bed with a ribbon-tied bouquet of flowers in her hand. She stopped by the window next to his bed, standing at his shoulder, and gently moved a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Her soft melodic laughter wafted through the room.

Logan winced at the scene they made together. An image of holding Sophia in his arms returned, and in that instant emotions he wouldn’t name streamed into his consciousness.

He cursed aloud and both heads turned his way.

“Logan,” his brother said in a weak voice. He managed a quick smile. “Come in.”

As he walked into the room, Sophia made herself busy putting the flowers in a plastic water pitcher.

“How you doing?” he asked his brother.

“Pretty good today. Considering.”

“You feel dizzy?” Logan asked. “The doc said you might for a few days.”

“Not too much anymore. Wait, are there two of you standing there?”

“You’re not funny,” Logan said, though he was relieved to see Luke hadn’t lost his sense of humor. He hated seeing his strong, good-natured brother reduced to wearing a tie-at-the-back hospital gown, lying on a remote-controlled sickbed. His right arm was in a cast, and three broken ribs didn’t allow him to move much.

“Sophia says I am.”

Logan shot Sophia a quick glance. She made eye contact with him for one second before focusing back on the flowers she was arranging. “Well, then it’s gospel. You are.”

“My brother is in full agreement with me? Doesn’t happen every day.”

“You’re not laid up every day.”

“Don’t remind me. Once the meds wear off, I won’t be smiling much.”

“I hear you.” Logan took a swallow. “You need anything?”

Luke shot him a pointed look. “Can you get me out of here today?”

“I take it your doc already told you no.”

“Flat-out no. Thought you could pull some strings.”

Logan put his hands out, palms up. “I didn’t bring a rope.”

“Now you’re not funny.” Luke closed his eyes then. Clearly, the conversation was a strain on him, which only proved that Luke wasn’t ready to come home. Knowing Luke, he wouldn’t get much rest at the ranch. As much as he hated to admit it, Luke was better off in the hospital right now.

Sophia gave Luke a sympathetic look, her amber eyes forlorn. God, she was gorgeous, and so wrong for any of the Slade men that Logan felt the truth of it deep down in his bones. She was forbidden fruit, sure to poison any man who dared to take a bite. He wasn’t entirely convinced she’d come to the hospital out of friendship and concern for his brother. He didn’t trust her motives and it wasn’t just because of his father’s indiscretion with her mother. Sophia herself had married a rich old codger for his money. That fact couldn’t be disputed.

Carefully, she put her hand on Luke’s arm and he opened his eyes to look at her. “I’d better go now,” she said. “I don’t want to tax your strength.”

He nodded. “I’m glad you stopped by. Thanks for the flowers.”

She smiled warmly and bent to kiss his cheek. “I’ll check on you later.”

She picked up her purse, and gave Logan a cursory glance as she walked out of the room.

With his eyes closed again, Luke murmured, “What’s up with the two of you anyway?”

Logan pulled a chair over to the bed and took a seat. He didn’t pretend not to know what his brother was talking about. “Nothing’s up. Why?”

“I’m injured, not blind.” He snapped his eyes open. “You two looked … guilty about something.”

“I hardly noticed her.”

Luke’s eyes drifted closed again. “Exactly. Sophia is hard not to notice. Did you have another fight?”

Just the opposite, he thought. They had … lust. And it’d been eating at Logan since their encounter last night. If Sophia had wanted retribution, she’d gotten her wish. “No. We didn’t fight.”

Luke took a long labored breath. His ribs must hurt like hell. Logan had broken a rib once as a kid, jumping out of a tree and hitting solid ground hard. He remembered breathing being really difficult for days.

“You working together okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Logan said. “As a matter of fact, we’re gonna work on Ruth’s party later in the day.”

“Just don’t give her a hard time, okay?”

It was a good thing Luke’s eyes were closed. He couldn’t see Logan’s mouth twist with annoyance. “Sure thing. We’ll be right as rain. You just concentrate on getting some rest. I’ll come by later on.”

Luke turned his head to the side and slowly nodded. “I’m coming home tomorrow, doctor or no doctor.”

Logan knew he meant business. Nothing much kept his brother down.

Sophia spent the morning going over upcoming events at the lodge with Ruth. There was the annual Memorial Day barbecue, marking the beginning of the summer season, as well as a wedding planned in the first week of June. Sophia took notes, reviewed the ledgers and read the week’s guest surveys to see if there was anything they could improve on. She made her daily rounds inside the lodge, checking on the staff, and then strolled outside to meet with sunshine and warm fresh air.

So far, so good, she thought as she stood on the veranda, looking out at the newly blossoming garden, the green pastures and beyond. Everywhere her eyes touched belonged to the Slades but for the dazzling Sierra Nevadas. Now she was a small part of that empire. Being half owner of the lodge brought her a fuller range of responsibilities than managerial duties and although it was a bit daunting, Sophia had geared herself up for the challenge.

She strode past the gates and headed for the stables. One of the services of the lodge was to offer guided horse rides on the property, and Sophia held a revised schedule on her clipboard.

Just as she arrived, Hunter Halliday rounded the barn wall, and stopped three inches short of bowling her over. Stunned, she leaned way back, the clipboard flying out of her hands as she lost her balance. Hunter reached for her, his hands firm and steady on her shoulders to right her.

“Oh, Ms. Sophia. Didn’t see you coming.”

He was taller than her by five inches and broad-shouldered for a boy of seventeen. She had to look up at him. “It’s all right. I didn’t see you, either.”

“As long as you’re okay,” he said, giving her body a quick scan. Once he realized his hands were still on her, he removed them quickly, and blushed red under his tanned skin.

She straightened herself out, took a breath and thought to ease Hunter’s mind by getting right down to business. “I’m fine, really. I need to run something by your dad.” She bent to retrieve the clipboard off the ground. When she came up holding it, Hunter appeared perplexed that he hadn’t thought to pick it up himself.

He blinked. “Sorry.”

“No problem. Is your dad here by any chance?”

“Nope,” he said. “Dad’s at the ranch today.”

“Actually, maybe you can help me. Will you check over this new schedule, and tell me if it looks okay? I made some changes.” She handed him the clipboard.

Hunter seemed relieved that she’d moved on to business. “Sure, I can do that.”

“No hurry. If you want to bring it by the office tomorrow morning, that’s soon enough.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Thank you. Oh, and Hunter … good catch. I might have fallen on my butt if you hadn’t caught me.”

Hunter smiled shyly. “I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

Sophia walked away from the barn thinking that Ward Halliday had raised a well-mannered boy.

Her mood brightened even more when she spotted Edward across the yard with Blackie at his heels. The boy tossed a ball and Blackie took off running.

Sophia came up just as Blackie returned. “Hello, Edward.”

“Hi,” he said.

“No school today?”

He shook his head. “It’s p-parent’s day.”

Sophia immediately ached for Edward. Neither one of his parents would show up for the parents’ conference today. His teacher wouldn’t share with them his strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. They wouldn’t hear about his behavior and his homework habits. They wouldn’t come home feeling proud of his accomplishments. Sophia hid her sorrow for the boy. She reminded herself that he had Constance. His grandmother was determined to make sure Edward knew he was loved. “That means it’s really kids’ day.”

The boy grinned, and Blackie jumped up against Edward’s lanky frame, pleading for another ball toss. Edward didn’t disappoint. He threw the ball and the dog went running again. “I g-get to play with B-Blackie and then go o-on a h-hike with Mr. Slade.”

Sophia winced inwardly. Logan was compassionate with the boy. She was glad of it, but seeing that side of Logan only confused her more. “Where do you hike?”

Edward pointed to a low rise on the mountains. “Up th-there.”

“And does Blackie get to go?”

“Yep.”

“Sounds like fun.”

Edward gave her a thoughtful look. “W-want to come?”

Sophia was touched by the invitation. “Oh, uh …”

“Ms. Montrose has work to do.”

Sophia whirled around, startled by the sound of Logan’s voice. It was the second time today she’d been nearly bowled over. “Logan, where did you come from?”

He grinned. “Same place as everybody else.”

She wanted to slap the crooked smile off his face, until he looked at Edward with warmth in his eyes, and ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Hi there. You enjoying your day off from school?” Logan asked.

“Yes, sir.” The dog jaunted back and Edward pulled the ball from his mouth.

“Good. You get your chores done, and I’ll come get you in three hours. We’ll go on that hike, okay?”

“Okay,” he said.

Edward tossed the ball toward the barn, and then ran as fast as he could to catch up to the dog that had dashed after it. Once he’d gotten a good thirty feet away, he turned and waved to Sophia.

Sophia waved back, and watched him until he entered the barn.

“You’re good with the boy,” Sophia said, not realizing she’d spoken the words aloud.

Logan clucked his tongue. “As opposed to being downright mean and rotten?”

Sophia snapped her head up, annoyed at Logan for sucking the joy out of a purely innocent comment. “It’s a wonder you can stand up straight with that giant chip on your shoulder.”

He put his head down, stared at his boots and sighed heavily. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. You paid me a compliment and—”

“You found something sinister in an honest observation.”

Logan’s dark brows lifted, creasing his forehead. “You make me sound like a devil.”

Since when did Logan care what she thought of him? She searched his eyes and with a shake of her head admitted, “I don’t think you’re mean.”

He looked away, unwilling to share a poignant moment with her, unwilling to realize that she didn’t hold harsh feelings for him the way he did for her. “Edward has had a rough childhood. His parents have made bad choices, and the boy shouldn’t have to pay for that.”

As he spoke, she noted the pain in Logan’s voice. For a brief moment, she wondered if Logan related to Edward because he’d had pain in his life, too. Pain she was certain he attributed to her mother’s relationship with his dad. “Life isn’t always fair,” Sophia said.

He stared at her. “No, it isn’t.”

Sophia balked at his negative tone. This conversation was going nowhere. “I’d better get back to work.”

She brushed by him, but before she was out of his reach, he took hold of her arm, his fingertips gently digging into the flesh. His touch stirred her senses. She paused for a second, sensations rippling through her body. On a silent sigh, she turned to face him. “What?”

“I’ve got appointments all afternoon, and the hike with Edward later. We have to talk about Ruth’s party sometime.”

“Your schedule is busier than mine. Tell me when, and I’ll be there.”

“First thing tomorrow morning. Come to my office at 8:00 a.m. sharp.”

Logan’s home office was private, so there’d be no chance of Ruth catching on. She’d never suspect a thing and that was the whole point of the surprise. Sophia dreaded being alone with Logan, yet what choice did she have—they were partners. “I’ll be there.”

He released his gentle hold on her and she walked away. But the impact of Logan’s touch stayed with her for the remainder of the workday.

Well past seven o’clock, she closed up her office and left the lodge as the sun made one last blazing hurrah on the horizon. She enjoyed the glorious sunset on the walk home. But when she climbed the steps leading up to her front door, just as she put her key into the lock, a rustling sound from behind her interrupted her peace. She felt a presence. Someone was in the bushes. She turned sharply to see who it was. “Is someone there?” she called out.

No one appeared. There was no response. In the fading light she scanned the area, searching the garden, shrubs and thicket of trees and then farther, past the yard. Had she imagined it? With her back turned, she’d been so certain that someone was approaching from behind. An eerie sensation crept up her spine.

For a moment, she stood perfectly still, listening. A lump formed in her throat and before she allowed butterflies to take flight in her stomach, she gave herself a mental talking to. Don’t let your imagination go wild. No one is out there. It was probably the wind.

Though at the moment, not so much as a breeze blew by.

Sophia shook off the feeling of déjà vu, turned the doorknob and flipped on the light switch as she entered the house, making sure to lock the front door. She moved carefully through the rooms, looking around, and finally decided she was being silly. She was safe on Sunset Ranch. There were security gates, and the property was well guarded.

But just in case, Sophia slept with the lamp on that night.

The next morning, Sophia stood at the cottage’s entranceway, staring at a plain piece of folded, white computer paper she’d lifted from the welcome mat outside her door. Curious, she glanced out to the yard, looking to find someone who might have left her a note. Coming up empty in her search, she unfolded the paper quickly and read four words typed above the crease.

She blinked, and reread the note.

Her shoulders slumped, and her breath came in shortened bursts. “Oh … no.”

Slight tremors coursed through her body, and she fought the sensations, trying to make sense of what she’d found. The words were not threatening—should not instill panic. And yet she couldn’t tamp down her fear. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her … again.

You are very beautiful.

Last night, she’d been certain someone had been watching her. And today, as she’d slipped into her brown slacks and sleeveless cream blouse after her morning shower, she’d realized how foolish she’d been.

“Don’t be paranoid, Sophia,” she’d said into the bathroom mirror, tying her long hair back into a loose braid. “You heard a frightened animal dash from the yard or a bird flitting through the branches of the tall pines.” She had herself convinced it was nothing. But after seeing those four words, Sophia feared her world could very well tip upside down. She wasn’t convinced or sure of anything anymore. There was only one conclusion she could come to.

Someone had been outside her cottage last night.

Someone was watching her.

Sophia squinted against the morning sunshine, looked around the yard once again and then shut the door. Her legs wobbly, she made her way to the sofa and lowered herself onto it.

She closed her eyes.

She had to get a grip.

Yet she couldn’t move or summon up the energy to start her busy day. Her mind flashed to two years ago and that very frightening time in her life.

Shortly after her mother’s cancer treatments had begun, she’d landed a position on the chorus line for the Las Vegas Fantasy Follies. Hospital bills had piled up faster than she could work them off. She’d been scared and worried about a mother who was in major denial about the severity of her illness. Out of necessity, Sophia had become both a worried, doting daughter and the only breadwinner for their little family.