Chapter 5
5
U sually, Luna got to sleep in, but she got a call first thing in the morning from the lab. It was the results of the feed sample she put a rush on. When she got up in the morning to get ready for work her Mom had questioned her why she was going into the office on a Saturday.
At first.
As soon as Luna explained that the rush lab results were in about the feed and the mastitis epidemic, her mother was a bit more understanding about why Luna had to go in on her day off.
Before she even got to the office Roger, her boss in Toronto, called her.
“Hi, Roger. I’m on my way to the mill.”
“That’s just what I was going to ask.” He sighed on the other end. “What a horrible premix. I can’t believe we sold that.”
“I know,” she responded tersely, as she parked her truck at the mill. “Good thing that former nutritionist is no longer working for you.”
“If they did, they wouldn’t be for long. So, solutions?”
“Well, the same premix was sold to ten other dairy farmers in this mill’s territory.”
“You’re shitting me?” Roger asked, exasperated.
“I wish I was.” She was feeling that level of angst about this whole situation too, and mentally she was trying to think her way out of this cluster fuck of a situation.
The worst part was she had to tell Roan it was the food and convince him not to leave Meadowland. Becoming intimate with him certainly complicated things and she was annoyed at herself for being weak when it came to him.
“Offer the farmers affected replacement feed. No charge and assure them it won’t happen again,” Roger stated.
“Will do.”
“Thanks for doing this, Luna. Especially on a Saturday. I won’t forget this.”
She chuckled. “I know you won’t, Roger. Remember this at my next employee review.”
Roger snorted. “Right.”
She ended the call and then scrubbed her hand over her face. This was going to take all day, and she had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to go on that date with Roan. Although he would understand. Animals and farming come first. Still, she hated having to cancel it. Especially after last night.
She got out of her truck and went into her office. The first thing she did was download a client list from everyone who had the same dairy premix that Roan’s cows had been fed. That way she could make all the calls needed and try to smooth things over.
She got the weekend staff to load up her truck with feed so she could start making deliveries. The first delivery would go to Roan and then she could break the news to him about the feed and about tonight.
“Hey, Luna.”
She spun around on the loading dock to see Roan standing below her. He was dressed back in tight denim, but this time with a plaid shirt, looking as sexy as ever.
“Hi. What’re you doing here?”
“I dropped by your house after I did my chores. I was in town and wanted to bring you breakfast. Your mom said you were here. Fancy a coffee break?”
“Sure, but just a quick one.” She climbed down the loading dock and they walked over to a picnic table out in the yard and sat down across from one another. He handed her a sandwich and a double-double.
“You look like you might need some rum in your coffee,” he gently poked.
“I might,” she mused.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“I got the lab results back.” She drummed her fingers on the side of the cup, girding her loins for his reaction.
His spine straightened. “It’s the feed. Isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Fuck,” he cursed. “So what was in it that cause the infection?”
“Aspergillus fumigatus. The premix was made with grain that was too wet and the fungus grew.”
“Damn. So now what?”
“I have feed replacement. A premix I swear by. It’s at no cost. Then I’ll work on a better feed to replace the rest of your order. Again, no cost. Meadowland is compensating you.”
Roan nodded again. Slowly. “I trust you.”
She took a sip of her coffee. “I appreciate your trust.”
“You know it doesn’t come easily for me.”
That she knew, given the circumstances of his life. For him to admit that meant so much.
“I know it doesn’t. It means a lot for you to put your faith in me. Especially when it comes to your herd.”
“I’ve worked hard for what I have,” he responded.
“When do you think this new feed will be ready?” he asked. “Will you have it ready by fall?”
“Yes. I’ll ensure that. I head back to Toronto in September, but I’ll make sure the replacement mix is even better.”
He frowned. “Right. So, then the new nutritionist will take care of it?”
“Yes. I’ll make sure whoever takes over the role won’t let you down.”
“Good. This is my livelihood.”
“I know. You’ve worked hard and I’ll make this right, Roan. I swear.”
He just finished his coffee quietly. “So, you’re coming by in a couple of hours with feed?”
“Yes, but…”
“There’s a but?”
“I have a feeling I’ll be working here super late. Other farmers have been affected. We might have to postpone the date.”
If Roan was disappointed, he didn’t show it. “Okay.”
“You’re fine with this?”
“Why do you sound surprised?”
“My ex wasn’t one to roll with the punches,” she replied cynically. Which was true. Michael hated when plans he made were changed. Especially if she was the one who had to change them. The more and more she thought about her ex compared to Roan she wondered what she ever really saw in Michael. What had she been thinking?
Whatever she had been thinking back then, it didn’t matter now. The past was in the past and she’d learned from her mistakes.
Have you?
“Well, I’m one that can and this is a legitimate excuse. The date can wait. I don’t particularly want it to, but I understand. You’re not blowing me off without a reason.”
She laughed softly. “Well, I didn’t mind doing that last night.”
He grinned. “I didn’t mind either, darling. Trust me.”
“Thanks for understanding and the coffee.” She got up to leave but he reached out and took her hand.
“I have a better idea.”
“What’s that?” she asked, intrigued.
“If you have the time, swing by the farm and we’ll have the date out there. I don’t care what time. The restaurant was a for a stranger but, for you, I’d like to cook something nice. You have to eat anyways.”
“That would be nice. Can I dress up still?”
“I wouldn’t say no to that.” He let go of her hand got up from the picnic table. “Text me when you’re coming by. Take care of what you need to here first.”
“Do you want to take the feed I was just about to bring to you? It’s in the back of my truck. It’s enough to get by on until I get a better fed made up for all the dairy cows affected.”
“Sure. I’ll bring my truck around.” She watched him walk away and then headed to her truck, where his replacement order was waiting. It was only a few bags, but with the cattle grazing, this was just a supplement to help boost their production. And mastitis often led to weight loss, so the new feed would help the cattle regain their fat stores. The herds would need more nutrition when the fall and winter came, when they wouldn’t be out grazing.
Since she was only here for the summer, she wouldn’t get to see how the herds would do on the new feed in the winter. Part of her wanted to see this through. Just thinking about leaving actually made her a little bit sad, but she couldn’t focus on that.
Not today.
Today, it was all about the affected farmers and their animals.
Roan would be a liar if he didn’t admit that he was a little disappointed when Luna had to cancel their date, but he understood and he meant what he said about trusting her. He was more than willing to have her over for dinner because he wanted to give her a night to remember.
The original date was reservations at a popular restaurant overlooking Lake Huron, but he didn’t mind cancelling that. He had plans for Luna and they didn’t need a crowd.
Instead, he ordered their dinner to go. He promised her he’d cook, but he got busy treating the cattle.
After the evening chores were done, he sent everyone home early. Most of the milk had to be wasted because of the infection and the cows were cleaned as well the milk lines.
His quota was going to take a hit this year, but he could fulfill a different kind of quota tonight with Luna.
And he was going to make sure that it was a night she wouldn’t forget.
Maybe, it would be a night that could convince her to stay in Huron County after the summer, because he would like it if she did. He didn’t want to let her go, but he also wasn’t going to hold her back from her dreams and aspirations either. She’d made it clear she was going back to Toronto.
He set up a romantic dinner for two on his back patio. When she texted that she would be there at nine, he ran inside to shower and dress up, so that he was ready and waiting for her when her truck rolled down the driveway.
When her truck went into park, he opened the door for her, his heart racing when he hungrily took in the sight of her wearing a tight, curve hugging, hot pink dress with a slit up the side. He wanted to run his hand along the length of her shapely leg. Suddenly he was hungry and it wasn’t for the food he picked up for dinner.
“Hi,” she greeted, brightly.
“Hello. You’ve cleaned up nicely.”
“That’s good because I’m exhausted and sore, but I wouldn’t miss tonight.”
“I’m afraid I lied,” he announced, helping her down out of her truck.
“Oh?”
“I didn’t cook. I brought the food in.”
Her shoulders relaxed and she took his hand. “I don’t care. I’m just glad that I’m here with you.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m glad you’re here as well.”
He led her from the driveway around the house to his patio. She gasped when they rounded the corner and he was glad that his decorating had the desired effect. String lights, a white table cloth and candles. He wasn’t particularly good at big romantic gestures, except when it came to her.
It was easy with her.
It always had been.
“This is amazing,” she whispered, slipping her arms around his neck.
“Really?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you. I’ve never lied to you.”
“I know.”
Luna had always been honest with him. He could trust her and that was a huge thing for him. Especially, when he had a hard time trusting anyone. It was hard to put faith in someone else, to open up his heart when people he should’ve always relied on left him in the end.
Even Luna had left, but at least that time, he had let her go. He wasn’t going to be responsible for holding her back.
Ever.
He kissed her softly on the lips, drinking in the taste of her, and then reluctantly stepped away to pull out a chair for her.
“Thank you.” His fingers brushed her bare shoulders as she sat down and he lingered for a moment on the softness of her skin, trailing his finger slowly up her neck. All he wanted to do was carry her upstairs and make love to her.
He moved around the bistro table and pulled a bottle of wine out of the cooler he had next to them. “Not as fancy an ice bucket.”
“I don’t care about that. This is wonderful. It’s so much better than a restaurant.”
“How is that?” he asked.
“This is more private.”
“It is, but it’s not as fancy,” he remarked.
“Are you disagreeing with me?”
“No. I’m not. Still, there’s certain ambiance I can’t provide. So you need to tell me how this is better than a restaurant.”
A devious smile played on her luscious lips as she leaned forward. He could see down the front of her low cut dress. “I kind of like the idea of you serving me.”
He laughed and popped the cork of the white wine and poured her a glass. “Well, at least this is a bottle and not a carton.”
“I don’t mind boxed wine.” Luna made a funny face and laughed. “I guess my country is showing.”
“Is that a problem?”
“My ex seemed to think so.”
“He sounds like a douche.”
She laughed. “At the end. Yes, but not at the beginning. I just wish I saw the signs earlier. I wish I hadn’t given up so much of what I wanted to make him happy.”
“What did you want?” he asked, taking a seat next to her.
She ran her finger around the rim of the glass. “Looking back? I guess I always regret giving up living here and taking over the farm. Michael wanted the city and I thought I wanted that too.”
“I remember you telling me you wanted to work with animals.”
“I did, but you can’t do that in the city. Not on a farm that is.”
“And now? Do you still want that?”
Luna shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just here for the summer or until Meadowland hires a new herd nutritionist to work in this area.”
“And what about you?” he asked.
“What about me?”
“You could take over the mill.”
She chuckled softly. “My boss would never let me. I’m his right hand at the corporate office.”
“I get it,” he acknowledged.
“You always did.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here and you helped with my problem.” He set down his wine glass and stood up. “I think I’ll get the first course.”
“Why don’t you bring it all at once.” She stood up too. “I’ll help.”
“This is your auction date though.”
“So? It’s you I wanted to spend time with. Let’s get all the courses. We can sit outside and enjoy the fireflies and the breeze. It’s a gorgeous night.”
He smiled. “That sounds like a plan.”
They walked inside. He had everything laid out and ready to go in the kitchen.
“Wow, this looks amazing,” she remarked. “It’s a lot of food.”
“Well, it was a four-course dinner. That was part of the date. Didn’t you read the particulars?”
She grinned. “No. The only particular I was interested in was you.”
He walked around the table so he stood in front of her. God, she was so beautiful.
“How did I get so lucky?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, softly.
“You.” He pulled her close, his hands on her hips as he stared deep into her eyes. “Having you.”
He brushed his knuckles tenderly across her silky cheek, before tipping her chin to kiss her supple pink lips. Luna’s arms slipped around his neck, her mouth parting as their kiss deepened. His hands slid down her back, finding the zipper of her dress, slowly pulling it down so he could trace his fingers on her bare skin.
Supper could wait.
All he wanted to do was dine on her.
“Roan,” she whispered against his ear.
“I’ve never stopped thinking of you. I don’t think I ever can.”
“I’ve never forgotten you either,” she murmured running her fingers through his hair. “How could I?”
“What do you want?”
“For you to kiss me.”
“I can definitely do that.” He kissed her again and she was putty in his hands, pressing against him, firing his senses.
All he wanted to do was touch and taste every inch of her.
Luna slipped her arms out of the straps of her dress, allowing it to pool on the floor. He took a step back, hungrily taking in the tempting view of her naked. All she was left in was her pink heels. It made him so hot knowing she was his.
Even if just for tonight.
“You make me so hard, darling.”
She ground her hips against him. “And I need you naked.”
He chuckled and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her upstairs to his bedroom and laying her out on his bed. He leaned over her, drinking in the sight of her there, naked underneath him. He was so in love with her. The thing was, he’d always felt this way about her. There was no one else for him.
It was only her and those years when she was married to someone else…well he didn’t want to think about that, because she was here now and she wanted him.
“You’re still dressed,” she mewled, wrapping a leg around his waist.
“Patience.” He captured her lips with his, running his hand down her side and then cupping her breast. He ran his thumb over her pink nipple. Reluctantly he moved off her to remove his clothes and grab protection.
All he wanted right now was to bury himself inside her.
“Let me,” Luna said, taking the condom packet from him.
She pushed him on the bed and straddled him. Igniting every nerve, making him burn. He wanted her so bad.
He wanted her forever. Her hand gripped his cock, making him buck his hips from her soft touch. She rolled the condom achingly slow down over the hard length of him. He jerked against her hand and held her hips, not letting her escape. Staring up at her, he wanted to beg her to stay and not to leave him, but he couldn’t formulate the right words.
Instead he flipped her over onto her back, settling between her open thighs. She arched her back, moaning as he touched her. She was so wet, but he wanted to tease her, bring her to the brink before he sank into her.
“What do you need?” he asked, stroking her pussy.
“You,” she panted.
“I’m all yours.”
Luna wanted to tell him how much she’d missed him, how she still loved him as he touched her, stroked her, but it was hard to form coherent words as the pleasure rocked through her. Her hips grinding against his hand as he circled her clit.
“You’re so soft, so wet,” Roan teased, as he ran his tongue around her nipple.
“I want you,” she murmured, running her hands down his arms and silently begging him to take her.
His dick pressed against her core as he slowly slid into her. She moaned as he filled her, burying himself inside. She was completely possessed by him again and it felt so right. She was lost in the moment, succumbing to the sensations of being with the first man she ever loved.
The man who let her go.
The man she’d have to leave behind again.
As he hammered into her over and over, she held on tight, clinging to every sensation and not wanting to let go as she met every thrust, finding that perfect rhythm with him. She came hard and fast, crying out as she tightened around him, digging her nails into his shoulders as she rode the wave of pleasure.
She wanted to hold onto this forever, but she knew she couldn’t.
They hadn’t made any promises. When the summer ended, when her company hired a new nutritionist, she’d have to leave, but she didn’t want to think about that now. It hurt too much to think that far ahead.
His thrusts became shallow, quick, and his hands held her hips tight. He cried out as he finished and rolled over onto his back, pulling her tight against his chest. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, almost like he knew this moment was fleeting and that the summer was slipping by.
She thought a summer affair with an old boyfriend would help chase away the bitter sting of divorce, but instead it left her wondering what could’ve been.
And maybe what should’ve been.
He stroked her back. “You seem far away.”
“I am.” She kissed his chest. “Thinking about when I leave.”
“I think about that too.”
“I can’t make any promises…” she trailed off.
“I know. Why don’t we see what the summer brings?”
She nodded quickly. “I’d like that.”
“I just want to spend it with you.”
She kissed him tenderly. “I’d like that too.”
“How about dinner?”
“That sounds good, but first I think I’d like a tractor ride.”
Roan grinned wolfishly. “Would you?”
“Oh yes.”
He kissed her again as he rolled over her. “I think I can take you for another spin right now.”
She laughed as he began to trail his lips overs her skin. She wasn’t going to think any more about the end of summer.
All she wanted right now was him.
Everything else could wait.