Right now, though, I want to do something different. I want to experience something other than the diner, and the ranch, and the people I’ve known since I was born. At The Barnyard, I get to meet people from all over the country. Heck, there was even a couple in from England a few weeks ago! To someone from the city, that might not be a big deal, but to me, it was like eating fish and chips with the King himself.
“Dad will get over it,” I say, knowing full well it’s a lie. I’m not sure what my father has against Declan, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that if he found out things were heating up between us, he’d have Declan for breakfast.
Violet laughs. “Keep telling yourself that. I actually put my notice in today. My last day is Friday.”
“What? Why?”
“I saved up enough to start my hiking guide thing. I’m going to take a week or two to scout out some spots, then I’ll open up shop.”
“What? No! You can’t leave me there alone. I don’t talk to anyone else.”
“You might be out of a job anyway,” she chides. “Declan is coming. I gotta go.”
“Is that Addie?” I hear Declan’s voice in the background. Further, then closer, until he’s taken Violet’s phone and talking to me.
“Are you okay?” His voice is dark, raspy, and concerned.
“Yes,” I say, my heart racing. Even hearing his voice sends a shock of excitement through to my groin.
“I’m fine. I got stuck behind some wildlife. They’re moving. I should be there soon.”
He groans into the phone. “I thought something had happened to you. You’re never late. I tried calling twice. Why didn’t you answer?”
“I lose reception when I hit the bend. You must have called at a bad time. The elk are starting to move. I shouldn’t be long.” My mouth dries. Declan was angry, but not because I’m late… but because he was worried.
“Come up to my office when you get here. I need to talk to you about something.” His tone is gruff before the line goes dead.
Meet him in his office? This man is living inThe Twilight Zone. These days, you can’t tell a woman to meet you in your office, especially not after you touched her inappropriately. Then again, Iwanthim to touch me inappropriately. This time, though, I want him to finish the job. I thought about what his arms would feel like around my body, holding me close. I thought about his deep breath in my ear, and the way he’d feel pressed against me, thrusting inside of me.
God. I need to get a grip. He probably wants to give me a lecture about tardiness and… maybe bend me over his desk.
A horn honks behind me and my gaze refocuses to the road, which is now cleared of the elk.Thank God!
My foot hits the gas, and I take off, trying not to think about the conversation I’m about to have, but I can’t help myself. There’s something about him that wakes up a part of me that’s never been woken before… and I like it.
Chapter Four
Declan
Addie’s small hand raps on the door of my office. “Can I come in?” Her face is flushed, her cheeks are pink, and she wears her uniform as always… tight.
“Of course,” I say. “Close the door behind you.”
The words sound wrong as they leave my lips, but we need privacy.
She does as she’s told and sits on the chair in front of my desk, her chest rising and falling slightly. “I’m sorry I’m late. You know I do my best to be—”
“This isn’t about that.”
“Okay,” she squeaks. “What’s it about?” Her silky thighs shift in the seat as she leans forward slightly.
“I have inventory coming up and I’ll be busy the next couple of weeks. I’d like you to take over operations downstairs until—”
“You don’t have inventory. I saw all the trucks come in two weeks ago.”
“There are more trucks,” I bite, staring at her pouted lips like a lion ready to pounce.
She looks away and bites the inside of her cheek. “So, you’re going to be busy for weeks with an inventory for a hoedown that you havethis weekend? That makes no sense.”