Chapter Fourteen
W hen Drew left his grandfather’s office in the bull barn, still smarting from the chewing out he’d received for raising his voice to a lady, especially a lady he’d been tasked with treating with kid gloves, he found Peyton standing in the exact spot he’d told her to stay in.
Laughing with Ian.
A prickling of unease, or maybe even jealousy, had Drew breaking into a trot as he rounded the corral. A totally ridiculous sensation considering Ian was happily married to Jessie, a stunningly beautiful badass FBI special agent.
But nothing about Drew’s ever-growing attraction to the woman he was supposed to be watching over made sense. Looking at her though, completely at ease, laughing with his very intimidating oldest brother, his attraction made perfect sense. She was beautiful, smart, fun, and brave.
Drew had no choice but to recognize that he was in deep. And all the years he had worked toward one goal, taking over the sports medicine clinic and keeping himself safe from the kind of pain his mother’s death had wrought, were about to go into the dirt.
Ian and Peyton broke off from whatever they’d been talking about when he approached them.
Drew’s anxious curiosity must have shown on his face because Peyton rushed to explain. “Your brother was just telling me about your attempts to ride Buckaroo Bonsai.”
Drew rolled his eyes. Buckaroo Bonsai was the name they’d given an empty fifty-gallon barrel Ian had strung between two Aspen trees with some rope when they were kids. They’d pretended the barrel was a bucking bull and had delighted in tugging on the ropes to fling whichever sibling was aboard into the dirt. “Let’s just say there’s a reason I went into medicine instead of bull or bronc riding.”
He’d been thinking of his inability to stay aboard the barrel, but the quick look Ian and Peyton exchanged made his breath catch in his throat. Had Ian been telling darker tales?
Peyton met his gaze and distracted him with a bright smile. “We had an actual mechanical bull, like the kind they have in bars, to play on growing up. But we weren’t clever enough to name it.”
Drew blinked. That explained a lot about her ability to stay on mounts like Karen From Finance.
“It was supposed to be just for my three older brothers, but…” She trailed off with a guilty shrug.
Drew could easily imagine Peyton as a young girl, thumbing her nose at anyone who tried to tell her she had to stay away from the bucking machine. She had a rebellious streak as wide as the Rio Grande and the backbone to take on any challenge. The man who harnessed all that energy would have his hands full. He swallowed hard. Not him. He couldn’t. Could he?
Ian said, “Well, I’d better get back to my paperwork. It was a pleasure to meet you, Peyton. Hopefully I’ll be seeing you around.” He tipped his hat to the petite redhead then sent Drew a don’t screw this up look before walking away.
But don’t screw what up? The funding for the clinic upgrade by not keeping Peyton safe? Or whatever it was that was growing between them?
His gut churned. He couldn’t fail. On both counts. The clinic needed the additional funding, and he would do anything to keep from hurting Peyton. Even if that meant holding back and sticking to keeping things professional.
When he shifted his attention from Ian’s retreating back to Peyton, he found her watching him, her gaze searching. All because he hadn’t been able to stay on a bouncing barrel? How would she look at him if Ian had told her some of the less pleasant stories from their childhood?
His heart stuttered. What if Ian had told her? “Did you and Ian talk about anything else?”
“He said you needed to tell me what happened in this corral.” She reached a hand to pat at the nearest rail.
Drew swallowed hard. The dark tale he hated the most. As much as he’d like to take a hard pass, he’d learned enough about Peyton to know she wouldn’t let it slide if he refused. He reached for the same corral rail to anchor himself. “Our mother was trampled by a bull in there. It took a very long time, but the injuries eventually killed her.”
Peyton clapped a hand over her mouth.
“I was pretty young, and blessedly didn’t see it happen, but I spent a lot of time in the corner of the room here at the house my dad and grandfather outfitted for her to be cared for in. I guess it left a mark.”
Peyton reared back as if understanding had hit her like a spray of dirt. “And made you want to become a doctor.”
Drew nodded. “Not much mystery there.”
Peyton turned and stared at some spot within the corral.
The true mystery was how he was going to be able to keep from wanting her to sooth that mark.
The sound of Alec, still playing the role of tour guide while leading the group of women and the camera crew back toward where the van and truck were parked, reached them, giving Drew a reprieve from his thoughts and drawing Peyton’s attention from the corral.
She looked to him, stepped forward, and settled a small hand on his chest. Her fingers flexed slightly. “I better get back to the group.” She patted his chest, but the pat turned into a caress.
His blood surged from the point of contact outward until his knees threatened to buckle. Heat charged through his veins like a horse released from a chute, and every nerve ending stood at attention wanting to be caressed, too. God, he wanted to kiss her again.
He captured her hand in his, holding her palm against his chest. How would the hot touch of her hand feel without a shirt? Skin on skin. His mouth went dry. “See you back at the RV?”
Her fingers flexed slightly on his pec again. Would she grip his back that way, too?
She said, “Wait for me at my trailer?”
She was waiting for him to agree, but all he could manage was a short nod because his throat had closed up on him.
Her fingers flexed yet again on his chest then she slipped her hand from beneath his and walked away.
And he watched every sway. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and glanced back at him. The gleam in her hazel eyes let him know she was very aware he was watching her. Minx.
Alec’s toothy whistle yanked him out of her hypnotic thrall. He looked toward his little brother near the vehicles. “You want to go back to the rodeo grounds with me?”
He signaled he did with a wave and a lift of his chin. It was barely noon, but surely he’d be able to come up with something to do with Peyton, in her trailer, that would keep her from harm’s way for the rest of the day.
Some of those possibilities had him rethinking his plan as he watched her climb into the van. Being alone with her might be more hazardous than he wanted to tempt.
*
“That’s a look I’ve never seen on your face before,” Sammie said as Peyton squeezed onto the rear-most van bench seat next to her.
Though she wasn’t exactly sure what look Sammie was referring to, Peyton tried to school her features into a guileless expression. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Sammie snorted loudly, then shot a glance toward the front of the van where Nat was settling into the passenger seat right before the van started up. “Granted, I was mostly babysat by my oldest cousin Charlotte, but I’ve never had the urge to touch my babysitter like you were touching Doc Cowboy.”
“I was just patting him on the chest because he was being a good boy.” She tried to play off what she’d done, but the heat was already creeping up her neck, and her gaze automatically went to the big pickup truck pulling onto the drive ahead of them.
“Then that’s one very good boy. What’d he do?”
Peyton shrugged, struggling to put the feelings Drew stirred in her to words. “He was sweet.” Sweet and scarred. Her equally scarred heart gave a telling bump .
Sammie narrowed her eyes at Peyton. “You know, falling in love with a certain cold fish might be your greatest adventure of all, Miss Crazy Pants.”
Peyton knew she was in deep shit because the only thought that popped into her head was Drew is so not a cold fish . She shifted her gaze out the van window, trying to think about the beautiful scenery passing by but only able to think about Drew. The way he kissed her, the heat he’d generated between them, she’d never experienced anything so hot before. And he was not the first cowboy she’d kissed. But the others had been the type who were good with superficial. Temporary. Drew didn’t strike her as the same type.
Plus, he was overly cautious. Thanks to what he had just told her at the prompting of his oldest brother, Peyton knew Drew had a very, very compelling reason to be cautious. And to avoid becoming involved with someone like her. She didn’t feel as if she was living if she wasn’t taking a chance of some sort. Drew clearly wanted to avoid the potential cost of those risks. She truly couldn’t blame him.
The fact that she’d be gone from his life in a few days’ time was a good thing because she had no intention of changing how she lived her life. She also had enough people already in her life fussing over her, telling her not to do this, not to do that. She didn’t need to add Drew to the list.
The knowledge didn’t stop her pulse from spiking when the van pulled into its parking space next to the Buckin’ TV ’s RV, and Drew and Alec were there waiting to help the ladies exit the van.
The minute she slipped her hand into Drew’s, and he curled his fingers around hers, the heat from his palm soaking into every inch of her, she admitted she very much wanted Drew squarely at the top of the list.
At least for today.
The fact that he kept hold of her hand and moved with her away from the van, leaving Sammie to be helped out by a very pleased looking Alec, made her think maybe he felt the same way.
At least for today.
Though she hadn’t been very old when she’d been sick, she’d promised herself she would live every day without worrying about the next. That she would do her best to live. And that’s what she would do with Drew.
At least for today.
So, when he said, “Now what?” clearly expecting she’d have something wild and crazy planned for the substantial chunk of time before the exhibition rides, she smiled and shifted her hand within his so that she could thread her fingers through his just like he’d done when they’d been walking the trail at Smith Rock.
“I was planning on going back to my trailer.” She’d said the words with breezy confidence, but her heart was now pounding. Normally, she’d celebrate the resulting rush of adrenaline, but not now. She had to admit her concern stemmed from the fact that she liked Drew too much. Maybe he’d take the opportunity presented by her inactivity to go back to the clinic trailer where his actual job was.
And leave her to contemplate why she was so attracted to the man.
He glanced down at her, his eyes questioning. Uncertain. “Would you like some company?”
A shiver of need coursed over her, and she had to work hard not to melt against him.
Just for today , she amended her mantra.
She met his stunning blue gaze and said, “Only if it’s you.”
Surprise flared in his eyes, then was followed by a heat so intense she thought she might incinerate on the spot. His mouth settled into a determined line. He gave her hand a squeeze, then pulled her forward as he increased his pace.
She laughed. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure I get you out of sight before your producer and her crew decide to join us.”
“That would be a different sort of reality TV,” she said on another laugh as they rounded a camper parked at the end of the row between her trailer and the crew’s RV.
Drew stumbled, and Peyton blanched at having said the words in her outside-of-her-head voice.
But instead of yanking his hand away and getting all I’m-not-that-sort-of-guy on her, Drew shocked her by pulling her to him and scooping her up into his arms with a hand behind her knees and the other behind her back. She’d been right about him being ranch strong.
She squeaked and wrapped an arm around his neck. “What are you doing now?”
“Making sure you don’t get away from me.”
Her heart gave another one of those bumps . She placed her other hand over the one gripping his strong, hot neck. “Why would you think I would try to do that?”
“Worst-case scenario thinker.” He sent her a wink.
“That does not surprise me. And I’m good with it, by the way.”
At least for today.
“I’m glad. Because that’s one thing I doubt I’d be able to change. My hair color though…” He trailed off teasingly as he carried her to her trailer door.
“Don’t even joke.” She released his neck and fished in her front jeans pocket for the door key.
Drew bent his knees so she could reach to insert the key into the lock. “Got a thing for blonds?”
She met his gaze. “Just one.” She pressed the latch and opened the door.
“Hopefully, it’s me because turns out I have a serious thing for redheads.”
“All redheads?”
“Just one.”
Her heart feeling as if it might burst, for once in a good way, Peyton pulled open the trailer door wide enough for them to enter. Drew stepped up into the trailer, turned, and in a feat of balance that had her laughing, hooked the door handle with the toe of his cowboy boot and pulled the trailer door closed with a slam.
“That would have been a lot easier if you had put me down.”
“But what’s the fun in that?”
“Dr. Drew putting fun over practicality? Be still my heart.”
Drew paused, slipping his arm from behind her knees and returning her to her feet. Though he kept hold of her with his hands on her ribs just below her breasts, he stepped back. “About that.”
“Fun over practicality?”
“Your heart. Have you been cleared for—”
“Sex?” She regained the step he’d taken back from her. “Drew, I wouldn’t zip line if I couldn’t knock boots.”
A smile tugged at his mouth, but he was clearly doing his best to remain serious. He reached up and pulled her cowboy hat from her head as well as his own, dropping them both on the dinette table.
“But why are your family members so concerned about you?”
“Especially since, as you pointed out, the odds of my heart surgeon being a hack are pretty slim?” She shrugged and stepped away from him to face the bed. “I was a sick little kid for a hot minute. It scared them.”
He moved to stand directly behind her. “But now you’re okay.”
His heat and intoxicatingly masculine smell had her swaying back against him. “I know that, and you know that. Mainly because you have a medical degree.”
Drew slid his hands around her waist, spreading his hands wide and pulling her to him. “Considering we’re the only ones here at the moment…”
Her patched heart soared. Peyton tilted her head back, exposing her neck. Drew obliged by nuzzling the tender skin beneath her ear then placed kisses down the side of her neck. She covered his hands with hers and drew them upward to her breasts. Drew groaned, and the sound and sensation of his touch set off fireworks inside her.
She turned her head and found his mouth with hers, kissing him deeply and with all the need he’d ignited in her.
Drew slipped his hands from beneath hers and found the hem of her T-shirt, easing it upward.
He was so cautious. Bless his heart.
Peyton yanked her T-shirt the rest of the way off and turned within his arms to start on the buttons of his shirt. She wanted this. She wanted this with Drew. And she wanted it now.
Drew got the memo and started unfastening his belt and jeans as he toed off his boots. He shucked his jeans and underwear down his legs. He was more glorious than she could have ever imagined.
Peyton did the same with her boots, but before she could peel off her own jeans, Drew wrapped his arms around her and carried her to the bed, shuffling with his jeans wrapped around his ankles.
Peyton reflexively wrapped her arms around his neck. She liked this guy. Really, really liked this guy. In a way she’d never felt before. And that both thrilled and scared her. Much like zip-lining down a mountain but without the assurance of safety equipment.
When Drew reached the bed, he laid her gently down on the mattress, kicking his way out of his jeans and boxers. Then being the giver he was, he stripped her bra, jeans, and matching panties from her. He trailed kisses the entire way.
Peyton gasped from the explosion of sensation rocketing through her. “Okay, now you are just showing off your knowledge of anatomy.”
He lifted his head, his pale blue eyes sparking fire. “Is it working?”
Peyton grounded herself with a hand against the trailer wall above her head. “Hell yeah, it’s working. Don’t stop.”
He chuckled, breathing warm, moist air on some very sensitive parts. “Yes, ma’am.”
Peyton smiled, breathing through the pleasure he was bathing her in, until she couldn’t take it anymore. Burying her fingers in his hair, she pulled him upward. Drew crawled his way up her body, grazing her sensitive skin with his lightly haired chest.
He paused, reaching for his jeans. Hearing the rip of plastic, Peyton smiled. Always the caregiver. The spread of warmth and affection surprised the hell out of her.
Having spent the majority of her life being smothered because she’d been sick—okay, very sick—for a relatively short period of time, she’d made an art out of avoiding people who showed care and concern to the point of being annoying. But with Drew…with Drew it was different. She liked his brand of care. Liked it so much she thought she would explode with delight.
Even though he’d only started caring for her because he was being paid to keep her safe.
Then he was inside her body, and she didn’t care. She didn’t care what, or who, had brought them to this point. All that she cared about was that Drew Neisson made her feel loved. And she didn’t want it to end.
*
Drew tucked Peyton against him after making love until he was left breathless. He was struck by the thought he never wanted to let her go. Which was crazy. He’d sworn to himself he would never expose his heart to the kind of pain he’d experienced while watching his mother struggle to cling to life. He’d never wanted to risk feeling that kind of pain again.
But Peyton, with her crazy way of dealing with the near-death experience she’d had as a child, had somehow wormed her way into his heart.
With the rays of the late afternoon sun slanting through the small window above Peyton’s bed, Drew pulled her as close as he dared without waking her, nuzzling his face into her thick, soft, sweet-smelling riot of red curls. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have allowed himself to fall so completely for a woman who could cost him the future he’d worked so hard for?
He’d been entrusted with keeping her safe by her family. Not to play house with her.
She wiggled her warm bottom against him, and he had no choice but to admit how he’d been so stupid.
Because he’d fallen for her. Plain and simple.
He made love to her again, this time with the slow care she deserved.
When he began to trail kisses down the scar between her breasts, she at first flinched away, obviously self-conscious of the ridged flesh, but he persisted. Drew did his damnedest to let her know how beautiful he thought her, and how her scar was nothing more than proof of how tough, brave, and resilient he thought her.
And how much he loved her.