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“You will live on this ranch full time?” my dad asks, and I nod. “What will you do when you finish your hours? Once you’ve lived on a farm and been given your dream? Will you come back here to this house with none of that and be happy, Luciana?”
“I don’t know,” I say. It’s my greatest fear. Living the life I want to but being afraid of where it will lead. I take a deep breath and look him in the eyes. “I know that I have to do it. And afterwards, I will do what I need to. This is one step. We’ll have to see where it goes.”
He and Mateo share a look, and then Mateo smiles at me. “Your mama would be so proud.”
I feel little tears sting my eyes, because he’s right. She would be jumping for joy right now. Probably packing my bag and running around getting everything together. I nod and look to my father for his answer.
“I think this is a good opportunity for you. And with as much as you commute to work now, you’re gone a lot of the time as it is. This is the next step.”
I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. I was so worried about what my dad would say that I didn’t allow myself to be excited about the possibility. Reaching out, I hug him and then my sister. They all talk excitedly about the job and how much experience I’ll be getting.
I think about the money I’ll be able to save and send back to them while I’m working. The letter said I’d be staying on the Braided Rope Ranch south of town. I’m not familiar with all the farms yet, but Dr. Long said that this one was exactly what I was looking for. That I’d get experience with large animals and that there was plenty to look after.
For some reason the man with steel-blue eyes who always watches me comes to mind. I shake it off, not wanting to put that in my mind right now. Those eyes follow me every time I’m in town. And the way he tries to get my attention… I’ve had to focus on my family and on my work, and I don’t have time for men, despite the feeling that always comes to life when I think about him or see him.
I’m twenty-three and have never been kissed, but there’s time for that later. I can’t keep daydreaming about the tall dark-haired beast of a man who won’t stop smiling at me. The kind of smile that looks like he’s been doing it his whole life. The kind of smile that makes my knees weak so all I can do is fall into his arms. His T-shirts stretched tight by those thick arms of his. His dirty jeans and boots that make him look like he’s been in a field all day. His big hands that I’m sure would feel rough against my untouched skin.
“Luciana,” my sister says, snapping her fingers in front of me.
“Oh, sorry,” I say, trying to push away the lust fog I was in.
“Are you feeling okay? Your cheeks are flushed.” She puts the back of her hand to my forehead, and I push it away.
“I’m fine. I’m just going to pack some of my things. The letter says I start as soon as possible.”
I tell everyone good night and make my way up to my small room in the finished attic. I gave up my bedroom for the kids, and the third floor is more private, anyway. When I close the door behind me, I walk over and sit down on my bed, putting my face in my hands.
I can’t believe I got so lost thinking about him. I’ve never been so hung up on a man before. Any man before. I’ve never so much as given a thought to falling in love. Sure, I see what Fernanda and Mateo have, and I want it, but actually having that with someone wasn’t part of my plan. My life has been about finishing school and helping my family as much as I can. But ever since those eyes saw me, I haven’t been able to get them out of my mind.
Falling back on the bed, I close my eyes and see him. Standing there in the middle of town looking like a god among men. Looking like the type of man that would take what he wanted and ask questions later.
In my mind, a fantasy forms. The stranger stomping over to me and grabbing me by the waist. His full lips coming to mine, me being carried away by him. His size and strength no match for me. I feel the heat between my legs pulse.
I tell myself I’ll pack later… This vision is too good to stop now.
Chapter 3
Blake
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
I stop in my tracks, turning to look at Ben, one of the hands who’s been working for me for a few years now. He leans against one of the posts on my wraparound porch and stares at me. I’ve been pacing in this spot since the sun started to come up. It’s all I can seem to do at the moment.
“You got a fucking shirt or something?” I toss my own question back. He glances down at his bare chest. It’s not uncommon to not have a shirt on around here, but it looks like I’m going to have to make a new rule or something. That shit won’t be flying once Luciana gets here. Which should be any minute. I don’t like the idea of her seeing anyone without a shirt besides me.
“That’s actually why I came over. Ripped the shit out of mine on a fence and I wanted to see if you had one I could borrow. I’m doing field work today and don’t want the sun on my back burning the hell out of me,” he says, still eyeing me like I’m acting funny. Probably because I am. I’ve been acting funny since Luciana came into my life, and each day is getting worse. I’m hoping having her here will cool the edge and help me revert to not being an asshole. It’s almost like Ty and I have switched spots. Now I’m the asshole and he’s the one who can’t stop smiling like he doesn't have a care in the world. I used to be like thatcarefreeuntil the world showed me what I was missing.
It’s then I see the ripped shirt in his hand. I shake my head and take another deep breath. Recently I’ve been trying it to calm myself. The counting thing wasn't working, but this doesn't seem to be either. Nothing is. One would have thought I’d cool down a little once Luciana took the job. But I haven’t. In fact, I think I’ve only gotten worseknowing how close I am to having her under my roof. Knowing each night when I go to bed she’s under my roof, and I have no intention of ever letting her leave.
I feel like a teenage boy who’s never talked to a girl before. She’s about to show up here and I’m probably going to make an ass out of myself. The always calm and collected me is anything but at this moment.
“Yeah, come on.” I open the front door and heads toward my room to grab the shirt. When I get back to the living room Ben’s standing there looking all around. I hand him the shirt, but he’s still not looking at me.
“What’s happening here?” he asks, motioning at the room. I feel myself actually start to fucking blush. I turn to mask it, walking over to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. It’s the only thing in the kitchen I can make without burning, and that’s only because Dolly got me some fancy machine that pretty much works itself. It’s even on a timer.
I pause as I doctor my coffee. “Wanted a change,” I finally reply. I don’t offer him one because I don’t want him sticking around. People say I’m a flirt. Ben has me beat by a mile. I don’t think there’s a skirt in fifty miles he hasn’t lifted, or at least tried to.
I don’t really get that. Maybe when you’re young it isn’t so bad, but what happens when it’s time to settle down? You want your wife hearing that shit? Every day having to see women you fucked to get off? My ma would have skinned my dad alive. I smile thinking about the fire they always had for each other. Ma would get so worked up over something and Dad could cool her down in a second. I want that. To have someone who is your other half to balance you out. They needed each other to function. I want that. And I know Luciana is that person. I can feel it. I’ve always been this way. Can tell with one look what can and can't work.
I wonder what kind of fire Luciana will have. I can tell by the way her dark eyes narrow on me that she has it in her, and I can’t wait to see that fire on full display, aimed my way.
“Are those flowers?” he asks, picking up a vase I’d filled this morning. It makes my hand tighten around my coffee cup. “Oh shit. Not you, too.” He looks over at me. “I remember when Mary-Jane got here, Ty decorated his house to try and win her over. I see you two have the same taste.” He laughs the last
words, and I can’t even argue with him.
I didn’t want this place to look like a man cave when she got here. There are already stupid rumors around town that I’d been with some women around here, which is utter bullshit. It isn’t a secret that our family has money and some want to sink their claws into us. I know one thing I’m going to have to show Luciana is that wasn’t true about the women. If she’s ever even heard the rumors. I thought it was best that the place didn’t look like a bachelor pad when she showed up. I wanted to show her this was a home built for a family. A home that she could see herself in. I want to make her fall in love with it, make her never want to leave, and I’ll do anything to make that happen. The more she loves being here, the harder it will be for her to try to leave.
She’s already likely going to be pissed that she’s staying with me and not with Mary-Jane and Ty. It’s not proper for her to be staying with me, a single man. But I don’t give two fucking shits. She’s staying with me. Period. It isn’t even up for discussion.
Sure, we have a few little houses I could maybe let her use while she’s here, but her being all alone doesn’t sit well with me. Some of the homes are separated by miles. If I thought I wasn’t getting any sleep now, I would get absolutely none sleeping outside of whatever empty house we put her in. This is the only option. She belongs here with me, filling up my space and making it her own. Leaving her girly shit everywhere for me to trip over. I like the sound of that. Every part of me does. I didn’t think someone could get turned on just thinking about a woman’s mess in their house, but here I am, my cock trying to get free once again.
“You got the shirt,” I tell Ben, finishing off my coffee and putting the cup down on the counter. He slides it over his head and I make my way back to the front door. My message is clear. It’s time to go. I glance at the clock and see it’s already ten after eight, meaning she’s late. Worry hits me that something could’ve happened. There was a bad storm last night and some of the roads can get messy. Maybe I should have picked her up. Hell, why hadn’t I thought of that? Then she wouldn’t have a vehicle here. She’d really be stuck. Would need me to go anywhere. I'd be able to make sure she was always at my side no matter where she was going.
Ben follows me out the door. We both look when we hear the sound of gravel crunching to see a little beat-up blue VW Beetle coming down the driveway. I pray that’s not her. Normally she drives a two-door truck. That car isn’t fit to even be on the road. The way it’s throwing up gravel, I know the tires are as bad as the rest of the car.
“Can’t believe she still has that car,” Ben says absently, taking me off guard. I pull my eyes from the car and over to him.
“Whose car is it?” I grit the question out, knowing I’m not going to like what I’m about to hear.
“Luciana.” He looks at me, and I can’t stop myself from grabbing him by the shirt and pushing him into the side of the house. He raises his hands in surrender, clearly not wanting to tangle with me right now.
“What the fuck, man?” he exclaims, but I can see the edge of fear run through his eyes.
“You touch her?” I growl. Ben touches fucking everything, and I don’t like the idea of him having his hands on her. If that’s the case, he’s gone. I couldn’t bear to have him around knowing something may have happened. I’d spend the rest of my life making her forget him, and that would be a hell of a lot easier if he wasn’t around.
Ben starts to laugh. “I swear, I only touched her car. Once. When it broke down in town last week. She just got the thing and it's a piece of shit, as you can tell. I told her to take it back.” I feel some of my anger start to drain away at that. “Hell, you’re worse than Ty. Should I make sure I don’t look at her either? We all know how Ty gets when anyone even looks at MJ.”
I take a deep breath and let Ben go. He’s got a fucking stupid smile across his face. He might have only touched her car once, but I know he tried for more, and I’m guessing she shot him down. He still tried, and that chaps my ass. I narrow my eyes at him in warning, still not happy about this, and the smile drops away. I don’t want him close enough to even talk to her. I also don’t want him thinking this is some fucking funny game where he can poke the bear. That wouldn’t end well for him. Then I remember how I’d done that to Ty the first day MJ showed up here. Karma is butting me right in the fucking ass for that.
“I’ll leave you to it, man,” Ben says as if reading my mind.
“Put the word out,” I tell him as he heads around the other side of the porch. He knows not to go around the front where he can be seen. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with all these men being around her. I’m either going to have to get a ring on her finger fast, or learn to deal with this jealousy I have. I wonder if that’s even possible after witnessing my brother over the last year. Seems the Jennings men have a jealous streak a mile wide when it comes to their women.
When I turn, I see Luciana standing there looking at me, one hand on her little hip and her big brown eyes narrowed on me. Her hair is in a braid like always, and my fist clenches as I think about taking it down and running my hands through it.
She’s so small it makes me wonder how she can handle some of these animals. How she’ll handle me. She says something in Spanish, and that only makes me smile. No way am I telling her I understand every word she just said. I need every advantage I can get with her.
Chapter 4
Luciana
Curses fly out of my mouth as I stare into the steel-blue eyes that have been haunting me. The eyes I see every time I close my eyes and think about my future. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, now that I’ve started down this new path.
I’d always has a small crush on Blake, which is why I avoided him, thinking nothing could come of it. We come from two different worlds that are literally miles and miles apart. It could never work between us, and I didn’t want to walk down a path that led only to heartbreak. After losing my mom I knew I was still too fresh to take that kind of pain again. It was best to stay clear of it, but now it seems to be standing right in my path, and the look in his eyes says he's got no plans on moving anytime soon.
He leans against a post on the huge front porch of a beautiful farmhouse. It looks like something out of a magazine. There are rolling green hills all around us, with a big red barn close by. The place looks like something you’d dream of when you thought of a Texas ranch, and I fell in love the second I drove around the bend and saw it. It’s everything I’ve ever wished for in a place to live and work. Including the dark blue eyes that don’t ever seem to leave me when I’m working in town.
Maybe this is some kind of mistake. But my heart tells me that this is more than a coincidence. Like I always thought from the moment I’d seen Blake, if he wants something, he gets it, and I’m not naïve enough to think he had his sights set on me and I didn't know what to do with that and what it means to have a man like Blake set his sights on you. Is it for fun? To pass the time? Or is it something more? His eyes make me think it’s more, but I don't know if that’s the truth or what I want the truth to be.
“Welcome to the Braided Rope.” he says, pushing off the porch and walking towards me.
His easy smile is there, even through the rough shadow of his short beard. The stubble does little to hide the deep dimples on either cheek, and the lines around his mouth show that he smiles often. He’s wearing a white T-shirt snug tight to his muscles, worn jeans, and tan boots that look perfectly broken in. But the worst part is his cowboy hat. It’s black and pulled down low, and it makes him look like every cowboy wet dream come to life. If he were wearing a pair of chaps I might not be strong enough to keep from climbing on him. As it is, I’m having to hold myself back. It’s like I’ve driven up to my own little fairy tale and I want to throw myself right into his arms and into that life. If only things in life were that easy. I know I have to work hard for everything I want in life…and there is no way this could be that easy.
“Don’t tell me thi
s is your ranch,” I say, looking around like someone else is going to pop up and tell me this is all a joke.
“It’s yours now, too,” he says, and for a second I think he means something much more than my home while I get my farm hours. The thought makes my heart miss a beat. Warmth floods my system. “I’m Blake Jennings, and I’m really happy you’re here, Luciana.”
He holds his hand out to me, and I look down at it. His deep voice rolls over my skin like a massage, and I lean towards him involuntarily. I reach out, placing my hand in his, and look up through my lashes to see his smile is gone and he’s looking at me from under the brim of his hat with hard eyes. His jaw is clenched, and his grip on me tightens. For half a second I’m scared, but then that melts away into something so much more. The nervous feeling I had dissolves and a warm heat forms in my belly. I reach up to tuck a stray hair back behind my ear, and have to take discreet deep breaths to keep from passing out. The intensity of his presence is so intimidating yet comforting. He’s like a stallion with all that muscle and restrained strength. He’s holding back, I can feel it. But I don’t know for how long. And that’s what scares me, and attracts me to him.
The sound of a rooster crowing breaks the spell, and I look over to the barn.
“That would be Spartacus,” Blake says, still not letting go of my hand.
“You named your rooster Spartacus?” I can’t help the laugh in my voice.
