"I grew up in farming country—not on a farm myself, but in a town primarily populated with farmers and hands. Every now and then, the farm that needed workers would contact the school to see if there was anyone on the verge of dropping out who'd do well with a physical job. I was one of those kids." I spoon a piece of pie into my mouth and let out a moan. "This pie is amazing, Regina."
"Don't give me the credit," she says with a chuckle. "I can't cook for shit. Kym made the pie. Josh made the roast and gravy. I simply peeled some vegetables and took everything out of the oven when the timer went off."
"Well, you all make a great team. The entire meal has been delicious."
I notice Kym blush as I compliment the meal. I can't help but feel drawn to her. She's got a spark in her eye that tells me she's not like any other woman I've met before. As we finish dessert, Josh excuses himself to take care of some work outside. Regina clears the table, leaving Kym and me alone in the dining room.
"So, Hayes," Kym starts, leaning an elbow on the table as she looks up at me. "I can’t help but notice that you're a man of few words.”
“I try not to take over the conversation, if that’s what you mean?”
“Um…” Her eyes dart to the side before she straightens her shoulders. “Does that mean you're a man of action instead?"
I swallow hard, her comment suddenly making sense to me. Internally, I kick myself for not recognizing she was trying to flirt. But I’m so out of practice that I missed it. I also wasn’t expecting her to be so forward, but I don’t want her to regret shooting her shot and lean a little closer with a smile playing on my lips.
"I suppose it does. After all, actions speak louder than words, don't they?"
Kym bites her lip, and I can’t take my eyes off her. "That they do," she says softly.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?" I ask, standing up from the table. "I'm not ready to head back to that rowdy lot in the bunkhouse just yet."
Kym nods, flashing me a dazzling smile that makes my heart race. I say a quick thank you to Josh and Regina for sharing their table with me, then find Kym waiting by the door.
"All ready?" she asks.
I nod and hold the door open for her, feeling a burst of excitement that I haven't felt in a long time. As we step out into the cool evening air, Kym shivers slightly and I instinctively take off my jacket and offer it to her, which she gratefully accepts.
"Thank you," she murmurs, sliding her arms inside it. Seeing her in my jacket does something to me, something that has me dreaming of lazy mornings in bed with her while her clothes and mine lie rumbled on the floor and neither one of us wants to get out of bed and start our day. We’d rather languish and lose ourselves in each other over and over and over again.
It’s in the midst of that dreaming when Miffy decides to join us on our walk. She doesn't join us in an unobtrusive way. No. The overly rambunctious pup comes barreling out of the door, racing toward us so fast that we don't have time to react. She slams right into Kym, knocking her off balance.
"Miffy!" Kym's arms helicopter at her sides, and I rush forward to grab her hand and set her back on steady feet. But it's too late; the momentum is already carrying Kym down the stairs, and no matter how fast I chase after her, there’s nothing can do anything about it. Fate and gravity conspire against me; I miss, and she tumbles, reaching out to grab onto whatever she can to halt her fall.
That's when I feel the pain of all pains. That’s when I see stars...
KYM
"Let go." Hayes lies in the grass beside me, winded and groaning.
"Oh god." I'm winded too, flat on my back in the small garden next to the steps. It's all happened so fast that it takes a moment for me to come to my senses and start wondering why I'm holding something kind of firm yet squishy in my hand.
"Let...Let go, Kym. Oh fuck." Hayes' shaky hand covers mine as he tries to pry my fingers open.
He wants what I'm holding, but I can't seem to let it go, and my grip tightens. His face contorts in pain, his breathing coming out more labored with each passing second. Yet he still manages a weak chuckle between puffs of air as he says, "If you're going to grab something when you fall down the stairs, you might want to make sure it isn't my dick."
Realizing what I'm holding, I scream and let go of Hayes' manhood. "Oh my god. Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Is it OK?" I ask, shifting to my knees beside him.
He groans, but I can see a smirk making its way across his face. "I don't know. It's never been used as a swinging rope before," he forces out through gritted teeth as he sits up and adjusts himself over his jeans. "Holy crap, you've got a strong grip."
"Let me see." I move to undo his jeans but he stops me before I can.
"No, no, darlin'." He shakes his head, catching my wrist and pressing it against the ground to keep me in place. "You don't need to look in my pants."
I swallow hard, panic and embarrassment setting in as the gravity of what's just happened begins to take over. Hayes is the first good-looking man who's come to Cedarwood Valley and shown any interest in me, and what do I do? Trip over and use his dick as a bungee cord.Fuck my life.How do I fix this?
"Ice. We need ice," I say, before jumping to my feet and sprinting into the house while Miffy hides out under the porch furniture.Smart dog.
"Ice!" I yell out as I rush into the kitchen and dig through a drawer for a Ziplock bag and a dish towel. With those in hand, I empty the full tray of ice cubes into the bag as Josh comes searching.
