Chapter Six
Wiping the tears from her cheeks as she walked along the road toward her cabin, Willa suddenly changed her mind and instead headed toward the barn. There were lights on inside, and she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to go in or not, but she just needed some time to breathe. Entering the barn, she walked down the center aisle. Horses stuck their heads over the gates vying for her attention. As she moved through the barn, she stopped when she saw Devin’s horse in his stall. The big Paint was pinto in colors of black, brown, and white. He stuck his head over the gate and nibbled on the sleeve of her T-shirt.
“You’re a beautiful horse,” she said softly as she rubbed his nose.
“Picasso is spoiled rotten,” Jaxon said from where he stood leaning against a stall.
He was as handsome as his brother, but he wasn’t Devin. Her heart ached though, just thinking of what Jaxon had gone through losing his wife.
“I’m sorry I probably shouldn’t be in here.”
“It is off limits this time of the night, but you look like you have something on your mind. I usually end up here when I do too.” He smiled at her, and she saw the resemblance between him and Devin.
“I do, but I should get back to my cabin. It’s late.”
“Very late. Most people are asleep at midnight. ”
“You’re not.” She smiled.
Jaxon chuckled. “I can’t remember the last time I was asleep before midnight.”
“Do you having trouble sleeping?” She wondered if he still lay awake at night thinking of his wife.
“No, ma’am. I just don’t go to bed before twelve-thirty or one.”
Nodding, she continued to rub the horse’s nose. Keeping the tears at bay was proving harder to do by the minute, but she couldn’t break down in front of Jaxon. That would just devastate her. She couldn’t let him see how hung up on his brother she was.
“I’d better go.” Turning, she started to walk away.
“Willa?”
“Yes?” she asked without turning around.
“No one knows Devin better than I do so if you need to talk, come find me.”
Giving a nod, she then walked briskly out of the barn. How had he known she’d been upset about Devin?
She snorted. She supposed it wasn’t hard for anyone to figure out watching them when they talked to each other. Devin would stand a little closer and lean in close to say something quietly to her. She knew he watched her and she supposed others probably noticed her watching him. If Judy noticed the heat between them at the pool, others had to have noticed also.
As she approached her cabin, she spotted a figure sitting on the swing. Her heart skipped a beat, but then realized it was only Rocky. Blowing out a breath, she tried to stem the disappointment as she took a seat beside him.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as he moved the swing.
“I was out walking and stopped here to see you.”
“This late?”
“Well, actually I had stopped by earlier but I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You’re not making sense, Rock.”
“It was a little after seven,” he said raising an eyebrow in suggestion.
“Seven? Oh. My. God.” She put her hands over her face.
Rocky chuckled. “No need to be embarrassed about it. I figure it was Devin?”
“Yes, but—” Her voice caught.
“What the fuck did he do? I’ll kick his ass.”
Willa couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing. In a one on one combat, Rocky didn’t stand a chance against Devin since he had much more muscle mass and weight than the actor. Rocky had more of an athletic build but he in no way had the muscles Devin did. Especially those hard pecs and rippled abs. She laughed so hard she had tears rolling down her face and knew hysteria was setting in when she felt Rocky’s arms slip around her.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, trying to keep the tremor from her voice.
“Yeah, sounds like it. What happened, Wil? It sounded to me like you were having a good time.” Rocky laughed when she punched him.
“I never should have let him in, Rock. Never. To begin with, I’m too old for him…” Shaking her head.
“Too old for him? Why do you think that?”
“I don’t think it, I know it. I’m nine years older than Devin is. What could he ever see in me?”
“Holy shit, woman. Do you ever look in the mirror? You’re stunning.” Rocky picked her hand up and held on to it. “I like him. I didn’t at first because he came off as cocky, but he’s a hell of a nice guy.”
“ He came off as cocky? Shit, Rock, you wanted him to carry your luggage.”
“Hey, I’m an academy award nominated actor,” he said in a haughty tone.
“Yeah, well maybe if you’d been an academy award winner , he might have done it.”
Rocky growled and wrapped his arm around her neck. Laughing, she pushed away from him.
“Seriously, Wil, I’ll have a talk with him if I need to. I love you like a sister.”
“I know, and I love you too. What were you coming over for anyway?”
“I just thought we’d relax together for the evening, but apparently you had other ideas. I knew there was something between you two and he did ask me about you.”
“He did? What did you tell him?” Sitting up, she stared at him.
“Just that your ex was a jerk and I didn’t want to see you hurt. Devin said he understood and probably didn’t stand a chance anyway. He really likes you, Wil. You need to give him a shot.”
“There’s no reason to see each other again. I’m not into flings, and that’s all it could be. That’s all it was.”
“Why? You’re telling me that if you fell in love with him, you wouldn’t stay with him?”
“ He would never fall in love with me, Rock.”
“I noticed you didn’t say you wouldn’t fall in love with him.”
“Don’t you have to be at the barn early in the morning?” she asked as she stood.
Rocky stood and wrapped his arms around her. “Good change of subject and yes, I have to be at the barn very early in the morning. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
He kissed her forehead, walked off the porch, and headed to his own cabin.
With a deep sigh, Willa wiped her eyes and after entering her cabin, she locked the door then walked to the bathroom to soak in the tub. Although it was late, she wasn’t sleepy and just wanted to relax first then she would sleep. At least, she hoped she would. After turning the faucets on, she stripped and piled her hair on top of her head then stepped into the hot water. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes, but the tears seeped through anyway. What in the world, was she going to do? Her heart was aching.
****
Thursday morning, after Rocky’s lessons, Devin stood in the barn tightening the cinch on Picasso. He was getting ready to lead a group of twenty on the cattle drive. Glancing around, he saw Judy smiling at him, and he nodded. No way was she going to get any ideas on this trip. They wouldn’t be back until Saturday but if she thought she had a chance, she’d better think again.
Looking over the crowd, he was pleased that it was mostly married couples, except for Judy and another woman. The group starting whispering as they looked toward the open barn doors. Devin glanced toward the doors to see Rocky walking in and smiled. Rocky had called him this morning about going and asked him to add Willa too, but he hadn’t been positive about her going. He had told Rocky it would be okay so he’d added extra bedrolls just in case they did show up. The smile left Devin’s face when he saw Willa behind Rocky, looking like she wanted to be anywhere but here.
“Do you have room for two more, Dev?” Rocky asked him.
“We always have room for more.”
His eyes sought out Willa’s, but she wouldn’t look at him. He’d hardly slept last night after she ran down the driveway and away from him. Right now, she looked so good he wanted to take her in his arms.
“Great. I need a couple of days to relax.” Rocky grinned at the group.
“Chip, please get two more horses,” Devin said.
“Could I take Moondancer?” Rocky asked him.
Devin nodded and told Chip to take care of it. In the meantime, he couldn’t keep his eyes from Willa, only she wasn’t having the same problem since she didn’t look at him at all. Was she still angry with him? He really wanted to know, but now was not the time. She was so hung up about the age difference, and he couldn’t care less about it. He wanted to kiss those lush lips and bury himself between her silky thighs but he had to stop thinking about it or his dick was going to get hard, and he didn’t need that right now.
Chip led the two horses into the aisle and handed the reins for Moondancer to Rocky then reins for another horse to Willa.
“Is this my saddle, Devin?” Rocky asked laughing.
Devin grinned. “Yes. Hop on.”
He looked at Willa. “If you’ll get on, Willa, I’ll adjust the stirrups.”
Willa nodded then mounted the horse. He walked to her and adjusted one stirrup then walked around the horse to fix the other one. Placing his hand on her knee, he waited until she looked down at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly and saw tears fill her eyes.
Willa nodded but didn’t say anything. He knew he had royally fucked up, but she had hurt him by making excuses not to be with him. He wanted her every minute of every day. She was confusing him with telling him she didn’t want to get involved but then turning around and having amazing sex with him. He didn’t know what else to say to her. Apparently, she was done with him.
Pulling on the reins, she moved the horse away from him to join the group of riders. Most of them were still staring at Rocky. Devin blew out a frustrated breath, walked to his horse, and vaulted onto the saddle.
“This is about an hour and a half trip to the mountains. Each of you has a sleeping bag behind the saddle. The three packhorses have tents, blankets, and jackets. There will be a chuck wagon following behind us with food. Once we get to the cattle, I’ll divide you up. There won’t be much of a problem keeping them in line. They do this every week. I’ll get them started, and you all just keep them in the group. If you don’t feel comfortable enough going after a straggler, let one of us know and we’ll take care of it. If anyone needs to stop for any reason, yell out to one of us. You each have a handkerchief, use it. The cattle kick up a lot of dust and dirt. You will follow Chip in single file until we get to the cattle, which is just a little over a mile. If you feel you need to return to the ranch, let us know, and one of us will bring you back. Do not attempt to come back on your own. Any questions?” He looked around the group. One person raised his hand. Devin nodded.
“Can we get Rocky’s autograph?”
Everyone laughed.
He grinned and looked at Rocky. “Mr. Fontaine?”
“Once we get back, I’ll sign autographs, Mr. Callahan.”
“There ya go. When we get back, you’ll have plenty of time to get autographs. Any questions about the trip?”
“What are the jackets for?” Judy asked him.
“It gets cold––”
“It’s July,” she exclaimed.
“Yes ma’am, but we’re going to be close to the Glacier Mountains. We’ll be at a much higher elevation. It’s not uncommon for it to get into the upper forties, lower fifties, especially at night.” The group grumbled. Devin sighed. “It’s in the brochures. If you want to back out, now is the time.”
It surprised him when no one left. With the grumbling going on, he thought surely someone would back out. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Nudging Picasso, he rode toward the doors and waved his hand for everyone to file out. He noticed that Willa stayed close to Rocky. Did she think she needed to be close to Rocky so she didn’t have to deal with him? Why had she come on this trip?
Rocky must have talked her into it, but why bother if she wasn’t going to enjoy it? She knew he was leading this trip. If she’d read the brochure, she knew.
Tugging the reins, Devin had Picasso follow the line. The long journey stretched out in front of him.
****
Why had she let Rocky talk her into this? Spending so much time close to Devin was going to be pure torture. When he apologized, she hadn’t known what to say. What had he apologized for exactly? The fact that he’d practically thrown her out of his home? It was so hard to look at him. She missed seeing his smile, tasting his kiss, and feeling him inside her making her scream. She wiggled in the saddle.
The time here was for Rocky, and he seemed to be doing so well. She looked at him and almost smiled seeing him sitting on the horse as if he’d been born in the saddle. Rocky really was enjoying riding. In just a short week, he’d learned a lot. He had a lot more to learn, but he seemed to be doing really well. He continued to talk about getting his own horse, and she knew he probably would as soon as they returned to Hollywood.
Her heart ached thinking of leaving this place. She’d only been here a week, but she loved the fresh air and the gorgeous, majestic mountains so she knew she would miss this place. Glancing around, she saw Devin at the back of the line. He was scanning the area and didn’t realize she was looking at him. The man looked so good in that saddle. She knew just then, it wasn’t the place she would miss. It was the man. Three more weeks. How would she stay away from him? She didn’t know how she would but she had to. It could never work for them. He said he didn’t care about the age difference but what if they fell in love and in a few years, he wanted someone younger. It happened all the time. Men left their wives for younger women, and she was already forty. In ten years, she’d be fifty, and he’d still be young at forty-one. Her husband had left her for a younger woman.
Tilting her head back, she stared up at the blue sky. The sun shone down brightly, and it was already hot. The sun warmed her shoulders and sweat trickled down between her shoulder blades and breasts. By the time they reached the camping spot, the cooler air would be a reprieve she was sure they’d all be welcoming. The brochure had mentioned a large waterfall and swimming was allowed, but the water could be frigid. Swimsuits were an option. She hadn’t brought hers. There was no way she was going to prance around in hers, but she had a feeling Judy brought hers just so she could tempt Devin.
Willa glanced ahead to see Judy talking with Rocky. The woman didn’t stand a chance with him. He was seeing a very popular actress, but they were keeping it secret so the paparazzi would leave them alone. Willa was happy for them, and it looked as if Rocky was in love. Smiling, she watched him ride his horse, and he seemed such a natural at it.
“Willa,” Devin said from beside her.
“What?” She hadn’t meant to snap at him but she couldn’t look at him.
“Can’t you at least look at me?”
Glancing over at him, she quickly looked away. “What is it?”
“I want to apologize for last night.”
“You already did. Unless you were saying you were sorry for something else in the barn.”
Reaching out, he tugged on the reins to stop her horse. She glared at him.
“I just don’t understand why you won’t let me in.”
“Because nothing can come of it. I’m leaving here in three weeks.”
“I don’t think that’s your reason at all. I think it’s the age difference.”
“It’s partly that but it’s mostly because I’m leaving, Devin and I don’t want to take a broken heart home with me. ”
“I want to be with you again—”
“No. Now, let go so I can catch up.”
Devin’s lips flattened, but he let go of her reins. Nudging her horse into a run to catch up with the others, she had to blink quickly because tears were blinding her and she couldn’t see where she was going.
****
Devin watched her ride off and swore under his breath. Why couldn’t she see they had something special going on between them? He knew damn well it had never been like that for him with any other woman. Sex had never been that good. Ever. He wanted her again. To be buried deep inside her and feel her clench around him when she came.
The leather creaked in the saddle as he shifted in it. This was going to be a long few days. Nudging Picasso into a trot to catch up, he rode behind the men with the packhorses. Glancing back, he saw the chuck wagon following.
When they reached the cattle, he split the riders up but kept Rocky and Willa with him since Rocky wasn’t really experienced on his horse yet and Willa because… well, he had to be near her. Everyone followed his directions with the cattle. Only once did he have to ride after a straggler.
“Why is it always you, Oreo?” Devin muttered when he caught the cow and led it back to the herd.
An hour and a half later, they reached the camping area. Devin and the men collected firewood as Ken, the ranch manager and cook, set up the chuck wagon and began cooking lunch.
“The creek and waterfall are right through there.” Devin pointed along a path. “I’m sure you’ll want to wash the dust off you before eating.”
He noticed Willa staying away from him as much as she could but he wanted to go over there, carry her off into the woods and fuck her senseless. Turning on his heel, he told Chip he’d be back then trudged off into the woods. He couldn’t look at her and not want to be with her. Not stopping until he was far into the woods, he leaned back against a tree, and he looked up to see the sun shining down between the branches. The woods were much more refreshing than out in the open, but it would get colder just as he’d told the campers. Putting his hands in his pockets, he stared into the woods. Light from the sun filtered through the branches but it was darker where he was. He straightened up when he heard a twig snap. It was probably Chip looking for him, although most of the ranch hands knew not to bother him when he took off on his own. He couldn’t believe it when he saw Willa coming toward him.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked her.
“Looking for you.”
“What the hell for, Willa? To shoot me down again?” Crouching down, he picked up a stick and moved the end of it around in the pine needles.
“Devin, I don’t like shooting you down. It’s just that I don’t see why we should be together now when I’ll be leaving.”
“Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself? We’re good together, and you know it.”
She crouched down beside him. “I do know it, but I also know I don’t want to leave here with a broken heart.”
“Yeah, I heard you the first time. We’re adults, Willa, and I can admit I can’t keep my hands off you. Why not enjoy it?” He glanced at her then away. Damn, he wanted her.
“Sex only? No hearts involved? How do you propose to do that?”
“I have no idea. I’ll just have to remind myself that you’ll be leaving, and nothing can come of it. Same as you, but I’m not going to put up with you running hot and cold. You have to make up your mind.” He pushed to his feet and leaned against the tree.
Willa followed him to her feet and he watched her push at the dried pine needles with the toe of her boot.
“Easier said than done, Callahan.” She looked up at him. “I will leave here. Nothing will keep me here.”
“I get it. You’re so fucking hung up on the age difference, I know I don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell even if I wanted one, or I could get my heart broken.” Clenching his jaw and tightening his fists, he did everything he could not to touch her.
Willa laughed humorlessly. “It’s not your heart I’m worried about.”
“You think you couldn’t break my heart? How about every time you push me away because you’re nine years older? I don’t give a rat’s ass about the age difference, but it’s all you think about. Every time you push me away, it digs a little deeper.”
Willa stared at him. “It is not all I think about. I think about the fact that I am leaving here,” she said through clenched teeth.
Devin turned to face her. “And you wouldn’t think of leaving here if you didn’t care about the age difference. Who knows? Maybe we’d have more to this relationship than just sex.”
Willa shook her head and backed away from him. “I am definitely not looking for that. I’ve been there. I won’t get in a situation again where the man I’m in love decides he wants a younger woman.”
“So that’s what this is about. You think I would eventually leave you for a younger woman? Let me tell you something, sweetheart… I am not your ex-husband, and he was an idiot to fuck around on you. No matter if she was younger or not. You are hot as hell in bed. He’s the one who had the problem.”
“Devin—”
“Maybe he wanted a younger woman because he thought she wouldn’t realize how bad he was in the sack. Tell me, did he get you off?”
“I don’t see where that’s any of your business.”
Devin smirked as he advanced toward her even as she stepped back. “Did he ever bring you to orgasm? Did he make you scream his name like you scream mine? Did he make you wet just by kissing you? ”
Reaching out, he grasped her arms and pulled her to him then put his lips close to hers. “Did he?”
When she moaned, he lowered his lips to hers and moved his tongue into her mouth. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Picking her up, he carried her deeper into the woods then laid her down on a bed of pine needles without taking his mouth from hers. Her fingers combed through his hair, knocking his hat off.
“Devin, I need you. Please…”
“Yes, baby.” He unsnapped her jeans and lowered the zipper. Then he pushed them down her legs and pulled her boots off. Squatting at her feet, he tugged on her jeans and panties until he had them off. He stood and unzipped his jeans and pushed them and his boxer briefs down as he stared down at her. “Are you going to tell me no?”
Her head moved back and forth, as she raised her arms. “Please come here.”
Devin dropped to his knees then lowered his head to move his tongue through her curls making her moan. Then he kissed her stomach.
“I’m not sure I can wait…” His words came on a groan as he lifted up and stared down at her.
“I can’t wait, I can’t. Please, I need you inside me. Now, Devin, now.”
Reaching for his wallet, he pulled out a condom and quickly rolled it onto his hard cock then he spread her legs and moved them over his shoulders as he inched into her while staying on his knees. The pine needles were digging into his skin, but he didn’t care. He had to take her hard and fast. Wrapping his arms around her legs, he pounded into her and about lost it when she raised her hands over her head and dug her nails into the dirt. Her nipples hardened beneath her shirt and he could feel her clenching around his cock as she came. She threw her hands over her mouth to muffle her scream, and there was no way he could hold out any longer. Slamming into her several more times, a deep guttural groan tore from his throat as he came. He let her legs down then fell to the ground beside her and tried to catch his breath. She was breathing just as hard. Raising his head, he turned to look at her to see her staring at him. She smiled at him, and it took the breath away he’d just managed to get back. Leaning over, he kissed her.
“Damn, that was good. Willa, you are so beautiful. Can’t we just see where this goes?”
He watched the smile fade from her face as she pushed away from him and picked up her jeans and panties. After brushing pine needles and leaves from her, she pulled her clothes on then her boots, and looked down at him. He didn’t care that he was lying there with his jeans and boxer briefs around his knees.
“I told you before it can’t go anywhere. I’ll be leaving here with very little chance of ever returning.” She walked away through the woods.
“You’re beating a dead horse,” he muttered, but he knew Willa heard him because she faltered in her step.
Slowly getting to his feet, he removed the condom and tied it in a knot to dispose of later then pulled his pants up, zipped, and snapped them. She was so fucking hardheaded. And he knew right then, he was in love with her. Fuck! Not possible!
Blowing out a breath, he knew it was totally possible. It was the Callahan blood running through his veins. The Callahans always fell fast, and they fell hard.