“How’s the newest ranch hand doing?” he asked.
“I’m pretty sure your boss hates me.”
“Welcome to the team. He hates everyone. Well, almost everyone. The only person I’ve ever seen him smile at is Mama Mae.” Jessie kicked at the gravel and sent it scattering.
“Who’s Mama Mae?”
“His foster mother. Chase is what folks around here call ‘one of Mama Mae’s boys.’ She lives on the other side of Broken Bend and has taken in dozens of kids over the years.”
“What happened to his family?” It was rude of me to ask, but I couldn’t help but wonder if some dark past had contributed to the grumpy cowboy’s attitude.
“I’m not sure, but if he was at Mama Mae’s, he probably got into some trouble at some point.” Jessie stopped at the edge of the porch. “I heard you say something about riding the other day. If you’re not doing anything later, I’d be happy to take you on an evening trail ride. There’s a spot just past the back pasture where you can see the Milky Way on a clear night.”
Unless I could find a way to change Chase’s mind, I’d be leaving in the morning. I wasn’t ready to go. There was so much more the ranch had to offer. If Chase didn’t want me, it wouldn’t hurt to take Jessie up on his offer for a ride. I wanted to soak up as much of the country as I could before I had to leave it behind. “I’m heading into town with Chase later, but I suppose if we don’t get back too late…”
“I’ll be in the barn at nine. If you’re there, great. If not, maybe another time.” He shrugged like it was no big deal whether I met up with him or not.
“Okay.” I held out my hand to shake on it. His palm slid against mine, rough and calloused, like I imagined a real cowboy’s hands would be. But it wasn’t his hands I wanted grazing over my skin. I wanted Chase. And I only had one more shot at making him look at me as someone besides his partner’s daughter. “Maybe I’ll see you later then.”
“I hope so.” He tucked his thumbs through his belt loops and smiled.
7
CHASE
I hated goinginto Broken Bend unless it was absolutely necessary. Though it had been five years since I’d suffered my career-ending injury, people still whispered behind my back when I showed my face. The plastic surgeons had done an amazing job, and the scars had faded over the years, but there was no way to hide the fact that I was a monster.
If I ever forgot, all it took was a quick trip into town to remind me. Most everyone had heard the sad story of the hometown super star who’d risen to fame on the pro bull riding circuit, then had his future ripped away from him when a ranker bull stomped on his head. But those who hadn’t pointed and stared. Just looking in the mirror provided a daily reminder that I’d never be the man I used to be.
But if Whitley Silverstone wanted to be wined and dined, I’d take her to the steakhouse and stare down anyone who was brave enough to look my way. I’d do anything to get her to leave. She’d barely been at the ranch for seventy-two hours and I’d never be the same.
“What do you recommend?” She glanced up at me from studying the menu. I’d pulled on a fresh shirt and a clean pair of jeans, but Whitley had gone all out.
She had on a long-sleeved dress that hugged her curves and left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Every man in the restaurant noticed her when she walked in. Now I felt their collective stare. Her waist-length copper hair was piled on top of her head, leaving her neck exposed. I could see the delicate flutter of her pulse. Could smell the sweet scent of her perfume. Could feel the heat from her body, even all the way across the small table set for two.
“Everything’s good here.”
“Well, what are you going to get?” The way she looked over at me, her brows arched with interest, the edges of her lips tipped up in a grin, made me wish I was a man who was worthy of her company. Once upon a time, Whitley was the kind of woman I’d have bent over backwards for. Now, when women looked at me, all I saw was the pity in their eyes.
“The ribeye.” It was twenty ounces of pure perfection. I’d never been tempted to try anything else.
“I’ll get that, too.” She closed her menu and set it down on the table.
The server came over and we placed our order. Whitley tried to engage me in small talk while we waited for our drinks, but I couldn’t focus on conversation while I felt like everyone in the place was staring. They were probably all wondering how I’d convinced a sweet, pretty young thing like Whitley to go out to dinner with me.
“Are you okay, Chase?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
I glanced up. With her leaning toward me like that, the deep V-neck of her dress showed off enough cleavage to make my cock strain against the front of my jeans.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” The server delivered my coffee and her red wine, saving me from saying anything further. I could have gone for a whiskey, but didn’t want to risk doing anything that would cloud my judgment around Silverstone’s daughter. I’d already been racing around the ranch for days with a pair of blue balls.
Then this afternoon… my face flamed as I recalled the way I’d slanted my mouth over hers. There was no excuse for my behavior. Taking her out to dinner was my way of saying I was sorry. Hopefully, she wouldn’t hold it against me, and I hoped like hell she wouldn’t mention it to her father.
She took a sip of her wine. I couldn’t help but notice the way her throat moved as she swallowed. Fuck. I wanted to wrap one of my calloused hands around her neck and see the look in her eyes as I drove deep inside her. Shifting in my seat, I reached up and ran my finger around the inside of my collar. Even with the top two buttons of my shirt open, my throat was tight.
“What kind of questions did you want to ask me about the ranch?” It would be best to get on with things. With any luck, she’d be gone tomorrow, and I could get back to life as I knew it. Simple. Structured. Safe.
She pulled her phone out of her bag. “Do you mind if I record our conversation? It’s easier than trying to take notes, and that way I can make sure I don’t misquote you later.”