Chapter Three
River
The thing about working with Colby Burke is that he’s like a cactus.
He’s full of thorns and prickles, and you have to know how to work around the barbs.
But damn if the man doesn’t have a way of making “prickly” look good.
Every time he barks an order or tosses me one of those broody stares, I catch myself wondering how it would feel to wipe that scowl off his face—with a kiss or a shovel, depending on the day.
I’ve only been at the ranch for a few days, and already, I can feel myself changing. There’s a lightness to my steps and a brightness in my eyes. And I know, without a doubt, that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
My father always said that the best cure for a broken heart is hard work, and he’s not wrong.
The days are long, but the nights are peaceful, and the routine settles me.
There’s something to be said for the simplicity of waking up and knowing exactly what you’re going to do.
It’s nice. Calming. And a hell of a lot easier than living life with a man who thinks the only place a woman belongs is in the kitchen like Christian did.
Christian. Just thinking his name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and have to swallow back the sourness.
The thought of him is still enough to set my blood boiling.
I never should’ve let him get close. I knew it was a mistake the second he walked into that bar.
He had the swagger and the smirk, and all I wanted was a good time.
But I should’ve known that he’d turn out to be the worst mistake of my life.
I’ve heard the saying that love is blind, but lust is stupid, and damn if it isn’t true.
A soft breeze floats over my skin, and I glance up, shielding my eyes from the sun. I’ve got the day off, and instead of sleeping in, I’m up bright and early, sitting out on the back porch, watching the sunrise.
It’s the same thing I did as a kid. Every morning, when the birds woke up, so did I. I used to love getting out of bed and running around the ranch. It was like a playground, and the world was mine for the taking.
Now, I’m not a kid anymore. I’m not running, or riding, or doing much of anything, and a part of me misses that girl. The one who had nothing to worry about but what kind of trouble she could find next.
I’m still watching the sun creep up over the horizon, sipping my coffee and wishing I was anywhere but here, when a knock sounds on the doorframe behind me.
“Hey, River. Mind if I join you?”
I don’t bother to look over. The voice is unmistakable. Colby’s standing behind me, probably looking all kinds of sexy in those dark jeans and a white tee.
“Help yourself. It’s your house. Your coffee. Your porch.”
“That it is.” He pauses. “I’d ask if you’re having a nice morning, but you’ve got a look on your face that’s telling me otherwise.”
“Oh, yeah? What kind of look is that?”
“Pissed.”
“Well, well. A man who knows his expressions. Maybe there’s more to you than just a pretty face and a bad attitude.”
“So, you think I’m pretty?”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He grins, and the sight sends my pulse racing. “What’s got you all pissed off so early in the morning?”
“Nothing. Just thinking about things.”
“Like what?”
“My life. Where it’s gone. Who I am.”
“Sounds serious.”
“Does it? Because, to me, it sounds like bullshit. Nothing but a bunch of wasted thoughts. Why the hell are you even out here, Burke? Aren’t you supposed to be out there with your cowboys, doing ranch-y stuff?”
“Ranch-y stuff, huh? Well, as it happens, I’ve got the day off. My foreman has it covered. So, no ranch-y stuff for me.”
“Oh, yeah? Then why aren’t you off enjoying yourself?”
“Well, now, that’s a good question.”
He walks over to where I’m sitting and drops into the seat beside me.
He’s close enough that I can smell his scent, fresh and masculine.
The smell makes me weak in the knees, and I’m suddenly aware of every inch of my body, as though it’s humming with some new energy.
A very unwelcome energy that makes my nipples pebble and a rush of heat flood my panties.
I shift in my chair, trying to adjust myself, and cross my legs.
Colby’s eyes follow the movement, and a muscle jumps in his jaw. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but the look in his eyes is unmistakable. He’s undressing me, and the thought of his hands on my bare skin makes my heart beat a little faster.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“How come you’re not married?”
I stare at him, trying to decide if he’s playing with me or not. What the hell kind of question is that?
“Seriously? You’re asking me about my marital status?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re a strange man, Colby Burke.”
“You’re avoiding the question.”
“Am I?”
“You are. Now, tell me, River Thurston, why are you single? A woman like you must have men crawling all over her. What are you doing here, all alone, on this big empty porch?”
“I’m not alone. You’re here.”
“That I am. And I’m asking you a question.”
I let out a long, slow breath and turn my attention back to the horizon. I can’t bring myself to look him in the eye. Not when he’s staring at me like that.
“I’m actually here because of a guy,” I admit.
“A guy?”
“Yeah. My ex-boyfriend. The relationship went bad. He...well, he didn’t want a partner. He wanted a possession. A toy he could play with and put away whenever he wanted. I was too stubborn and stupid to see it. We were together for two years, and it was a mistake. The whole damn relationship.”
“So, what happened?”
“What do you think? We broke up.”
“I suspect there’s more to it than that, or you wouldn’t be hiding out on my ranch.”
“I’m not hiding, Burke.”
“No?”
“No. I’m healing. And this is a nice place to do it. It’s quiet. Serene. Getting away from that monster nearly killed me. Literally.”
“What do you mean, literally?”
“I mean, literally. I nearly died.”
He sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You wanna elaborate on that?”
“Not particularly.”
“Thurston, if he hurt you...”
“I don’t wanna talk about it, Burke. Okay? I’m fine. Everything’s fine. I just...I need some time.”
He sighs and pushes himself out of the chair, walking over to stand beside me.
The sun dances off his bronze skin, and his dark hair flutters in the wind.
I’m suddenly aware of how close we are. His chest is just inches from my cheek, and I’m overcome by a powerful urge to lean forward and rest my head against his chest.
It’s not something I would normally consider, but the truth is, something about Colby Burke makes me feel safe. And that’s not an emotion I’m used to.
He’s still staring at me, and I know he’s waiting for me to say something, anything. But my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth, and I can’t seem to form a single word.
“Well,” he says after a moment. “I’m sorry, River. If he hurt you, I’m sorry. But as long as you’re here, I give you my word that he won’t have the opportunity to do it again.”
And just like that, the spell snaps like a cheap elastic band. I don’t need his sympathy or his apologies. The last thing I need is anyone feeling sorry for me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and I don’t need some hotshot cowboy playing the hero.
“I can take care of myself, Burke. Always have. Always will.”
“Never said you couldn’t.”
“It’s implied.”
“Is it? Or are you just putting words in my mouth?”
“Maybe a little of both. The point is, I’m not here to be saved. I’m here to heal. Got it?” I scramble to my feet, eager to end this conversation before it goes any further. He’s seen enough of my pain and shame, and I’m done giving him a front-row seat to the dumpster fire that is my life.
I try to brush past him, intent on walking it off, but Colby grabs me by the arm and spins me back around, catching me by surprise. Call it trauma or instinct, but I can’t control the reaction that takes over my body.
I rear back and throw my fist, but before it can connect with his face, Colby blocks the punch and wraps his arms around me.
“Easy, there, cowgirl. You don’t want to do this.”
“The hell I don’t!”
I struggle against him, kicking and wriggling, trying to free myself. But Colby’s bigger, and he’s stronger, and his arms are like steel bands around my waist.
“Stop fighting me. Come on, now. Calm down.”
“Calm down? Are you serious right now?”
“Very serious. I don’t know what you’re upset about, but we can talk about it. You can’t go around punching people every time they get too close, River.”
“Why not? Seems like a pretty solid strategy, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Yeah? You think so, huh?”
“Absolutely. I’m a fan.”
“Well, lucky for me, I’m pretty damn tough. But not everyone is. If you’d landed that punch, you would’ve knocked me clean out.”
“Then you shouldn’t have grabbed me. That’s on you, cowboy.”
Something seems to click in his brain, and he yanks his hands away, holding them up as if surrendering. “Ah, hell, River. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t think.”
I don’t say a word, just step away from him and wrap my arms around my middle.
“River, I—”
“Don’t. Just don’t. Okay? Don’t say another word.”
He reaches out to touch me, and I jerk away, stumbling backward and falling onto my ass. Colby rushes forward and reaches for me, and God help me, I let him. He pulls me to my feet and holds me steady while the world rights itself.
“Easy. Easy, now. You’re okay.”
“Yeah. Sure. I’m okay.”
“River, look at me.”
“No.”
“Look at me. Please.”
“I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both. Either. I can’t look at you, and I won’t.”
“River, please.”
I grit my teeth and relent, dragging my eyes up to meet his. He’s staring at me, studying me. Those hazel eyes are boring holes in my skin, and for a second, I feel naked. Like he’s looking straight into my soul.
His tongue darts out to wet his bottom lip, and my gaze drops to follow the movement. A small sound works its way out of my throat, and then he’s cupping my face, tilting my head, and dipping his down. Our lips collide, and my body goes up in flames.
He’s kissing me. Colby Burke is kissing me, and I’m not stopping him. In fact, I’m kissing him back. My hands are curled into his flannel shirt, and my lips are moving against his, and everything is hot and frantic and desperate.
Colby tastes like coffee and mint, and his lips are so soft. It’s a jarring contrast to the stubble on his chin and the rough hands cupping my face. It’s dizzying. Exhilarating. And exactly what I need.
I press my body against his, reveling in the feel of his hardness against my curves.
God, this feels good. Better than anything I’ve ever felt.
His tongue swipes along the seam of my lips, and I gasp, opening my mouth for him. He groans, and the sound shoots straight to my core. My panties are damp, and my clit is throbbing, and all I want is for Colby Burke to throw me over this railing and fuck me into next week.
As if he can read my thoughts, Colby lets out a growl and pulls me flush against him with one hand on my lower back and the other buried in my hair.
His lips move to my neck, and I can’t stop the whimper that slips out.
His breath dances over my skin as he presses soft kisses across my jaw, and down the side of my throat.
“You smell like sunshine and cinnamon,” he remarks. “I’ve never smelled anything so damn good.”
I can’t speak. My heart is hammering, and my lungs are screaming for oxygen, but I can’t even breathe. Not when Colby is touching me. Not when his lips are doing unspeakable things to my neck.
His tongue flicks over the shell of my ear, and I shiver, clinging to him as though my life depends on it.
“You taste even better,” he murmurs.
I can’t think straight. Every word I’ve ever learned has left my head, and all I can manage are moans and squeaks. And the more noises I make, the harder Colby’s cock gets. He slides his hand from my back to the curve of my ass and gives it a squeeze. My breath hitches, and my knees go weak.
But then somewhere in the distance, the sound of one of the ranch hands shouting pulls us apart. They aren’t speaking to us, but it’s enough to break the spell and bring me back down to earth.
We’re standing outside, on the back porch of Colby’s house, with ranch hands just yards away. Anyone could see us. What the hell am I thinking?
I slide my hands up between us and shove at his chest, forcing him back a few steps. Colby clears his throat and takes a step back. His eyes are dark, and his cheeks are flushed. He looks like a man who just got a taste of heaven and is already missing it.
“River, listen—”
“No, you listen. That...that shouldn’t have happened. Whatever you think is going on here, you’re wrong. I’m not...I’m not that girl.”
“What girl?”
“The kind who’s up for a romp. You’re the boss, and I’m an employee. We both know what would happen. People would talk. Assumptions would be made. It can’t happen. And even if it could, I wouldn’t want it to. Do you understand?”
“Not even a little bit.” There’s a teasing lilt to his voice, and that combined with the smirk on his face is almost enough to make me smile. Almost.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Colby. Just because I kissed you... It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Didn’t think it did.”
“Good. As long as we’re clear. It was just a moment. A lapse in judgment. Nothing more.”
“Got it.”
“I’m serious, Burke.”
“So am I.”
I exhale, long and slow, trying to shake the lingering heat crawling up my spine. Whatever this is between us, it ends here. It has to. Because if I let myself get tangled up in Colby Burke, I know I won’t come out the other side unscathed.