Chapter 5
ETTA
I’ve always loved feeling productive, but out here on the ranch it feels more important. Like I'm working for something real, not just abstract numbers on a computer screen.
I’m so glad Boss gave me some real work. Not just so I can feel that I’m earning my keep, but also for the reference. He gave me a list of tasks and said to do whatever I wanted on the list. And he’s paying me in cash!
From the lists of tasks he presented me with, it's clear that there’s plenty to do, if I wanted to stick around a bit longer. Then I could explore this random sudden heat I feel whenever Boss is near me. Frankly, it’s making my heart beat off-kilter.
I start in on a deep clean of the kitchen as he explains some of the billing and invoicing procedures while juggling a flurry of incoming texts.
Apparently, the road being out has messed up the delivery of some supplies they were expecting, so some stuff has to be transferred from the horse stables to the goat shed.
I've just sunk myself elbows-deep into scrubbing out the oven when I hear Boss groan. "Something wrong?" I call out.
"No. Well, yeah. I need to go check on the goats, since everyone else is dealing with the road situation." From where I'm kneeling on the floor, he towers over me. "I don't like leaving you here in a strange place all alone."
"You said strangers never come here to the ranch though, right?"
He nods. "True. And I'll only be half an hour."
He gently takes hold of my elbow and helps me to my feet. I can't hug him, since I'm wearing big green rubber gloves, but Boss grabs me around the waist, kissing me with a fire that seems completely out of place considering we're in his work kitchen.
“I like having you here," he murmurs against my ear. "Not just for cleaning. Or for help with paperwork. I like you. Your energy. Your sweetness." His hands drop to squeeze with both hands. "And this sexy ass."
I wave my gloves in his face. "Watch it, buddy. Or you'll have oven cleaner down the front of your shirt. Then there really will be a toxic chemical spill on the property.”
His hand slips into my hair, tilting my head to trail a line of kisses along my throat. My knees buckle from the way he holds me, switching from business to seduction in a blink.
A soft growl rumbles in his chest. “Back soon. Don’t leave this building, angel.”
His bossy tone gives me tingles. I watch his firm ass as he walks away in his worn jeans, then sigh.
This can’t be real. I’ve heard so many horror stories about men stringing women along for years without expressing their feelings.
Meanwhile, I’ve known this man for less than twenty-four hours and he’s already said that he likes me.
I fall into a trance while finishing up the oven, then scrubbing every corner of the kitchen. I also put on a fresh pot of coffee, figuring that Boss will be back soon.
Should I call him Falcon? I’m not really one of his employees, am I? The thing is, he feels like Boss. The guy in charge of this ranch. Of everything, really. The guy with his life completely under control.
"Hey, who's the genius asshole who put on fresh coffee for me?" A tall, broad-shouldered man in a gray plaid flannel shirt shuffles into the kitchen, then pulls up short. "Oh. Sorry."
“It’s fine,” I laugh, grabbing a mug and pouring him a cup.
He saunters over and takes a sip. “Whoa, this is better than usual. What did you do?”
“Ran a vinegar rinse through the machine to descale it, then put in a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon. Not enough so that you taste it, but it boosts the flavor.”
“It sure does.” He takes another sip, nodding appreciatively. "Did someone secretly hire a cute little coffee fairy to take care of us?" he asks with a grin.
Boss steps through the door wearing a scowl. He heads over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist and nuzzling my neck. “I’m sorry I left you alone, angel. Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” I laugh.
The guy is already backing away. “Settle down, man, I’m just here for the coffee.”
As soon as Boss is breathing me in, he straightens up, the storm in his eyes cleared. “Etta, this is Hunter. He wrangles the cattle, goats, and whatever else we end up with.”
Hunter shakes my hand politely, keeping a wary eye on Boss. “Nice to meet you, Etta. Thanks for the coffee.”
After he leaves, I turn to the man pouring himself a mug as if oblivious to what just happened. "What was all that about?"
He opens his mouth to speak, then snaps it shut again. He stares into the depths of his coffee mug before setting it down with a sigh. "I'm honestly not sure, Etta. I've never had that kind of reaction before."
Boss looks at me, blinking in surprise. "I heard a male voice call you cute and something snapped. Even though I knew it was one of my guys, who would never hurt you."
Geez, I'm not going to mention that Hunter inadvertently called me a genius asshole, then. Boss will definitely not find that nearly as funny as I did.
"I know it must look like I’m a jealous jerk," he continues. "I don't think I am. I'm just… overprotective, I guess. And I'm trying to figure out how to beg you to stay for at least a week so this…" He points back and forth between us. "Can be sorted out."
"Sorted out? Like I'm a puzzle that needs to be solved?"
"Nothing like that." He scratches the back of his head.
"I really like you, Etta. I'm hoping you can grow to like me, too.
But I realize it's going to take more than twenty-four hours – especially since it seems that I just ruined your work project.” He hesitates.
"Plus, I'm older. A rancher. I have no idea what kind of man you envisioned yourself settling down with someday, but I doubt it was someone like me. "
I burst out laughing, then clap my hands over my mouth. "I'm sorry," I mutter through my fingers. "I have a tendency to laugh when I'm nervous."
He nods. "It’s okay. Let it out."
I drop my hands, still giggling. "It's just…
You're talking about settling down with someone you've just met.
" My hand waves toward the window. "Out there in the real world, women feel that men don't express their emotions or want to settle down, and don't know how to keep a nice home.
Here you are with a gorgeous house, taking me in, and talking about—" I stop, still not sure I'm understanding him.
"About us being a couple? Yeah. But I think we deserve a few more days, at least. I don't want to freak you out or pressure you, beautiful."
Exhaling a slow breath, I nod. "A few more days sounds good. Let's do that."
I shriek as he grabs me around the waist, then swings me around the room.
Once we're both laughing, he sets me on my feet, kissing me mid-giggle as my body melts against his. He twists and leans against the wall, my body molding to his as he pulls me close. He's so big and warm and solid. It’s comforting. But he’s also almost savage, a wild beast barely controlling himself.
I don’t know why that’s sexy, but it is.
The thought invades all my senses and sweeps over me like a dense fog: Boss wants me.
I moan uncontrollably as he nudges my mouth open, his tongue playing with mine as my fingers tangle in the back of his hair. He caresses my hips and lower back, then his right palm moves around to my ribs, slowly snaking up the front of my shirt.
He pauses, both of us breathless. I realize he's waiting for me to nod. The second I do, I gasp at the sensation of him squeezing and stroking my breast through my t-shirt and bra. After a moment, I hear a faint growl, then feel his hand slip into the front of my shirt.
A deep shudder rolls through me. This feels so fast, but so right. He clearly knows where every single one of my nerve endings is as he massages gently, rolling my pebbled nipple between his thumb and forefinger until I'm trembling.
"So hot," he mutters. "Can't wait to get you home, beautiful."
"And what are you going to do with me when we get there?"
His eyes blaze. "If you kiss me one more time, I might lose my mind and try to take you to my own bed tonight."
Is that a challenge? A dare? No. Boss is being playful, making it easy for me to tell him what I want. And he's careful to do it when we're in the dining hall kitchen, not anywhere near his bedroom. He's taking every opportunity to make sure I don't feel pressured.
All it does is make me even more aroused and on fire for him.
Stretching up, I press myself firmly against his chest, kissing him as my hands slip into the back of his shirt to stroke his shoulders. "One more kiss? Like this?" I breathe.
"Now you've done it, beautiful." His hands drop to squeeze my ass as he grins, a wicked gleam in his eye. “You’ve crossed the line.”