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Allie didn’t have to glance up at Brett to hear the strain in his voice. “What happened?”
“It broke, and Reed fell onto some loose rocks, broke his arm, slight concussion. Dad lectured in grim detail how much worse his injuries could have been before Slade and I got his belt. The next day, he was back to shoving us off on Ward, our foreman. We’d better head back.”
Brett’s hand brushed across her backside as he lowered his arm to nudge Allie around. Tiny tingles raced across her butt even through her jeans, her cheeks clenching in reaction to the subtle caress, making it difficult to keep from begging again, damn it. “Is that when your fetish with spanking started?”
His lips quirked with amusement. “No, that came later. A girl I dated in college couldn’t get off without a little bite of pain, and I found that the safest way to give her what she needed. Hop up.”
She accepted his boost into the saddle, and, looking down at his bland expression, was compelled to remind him, “I may like your kink, but I’m still twelve years younger and won’t change for you, or any man.”
“I’m aware of that gap, and I’m not asking anything of you.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Exploring my options.” Brett caressed her thigh then mounted Shadow, as if that statement should suffice instead of raising more questions.
As he led the way back down the trail, Allie said to his back, “You sure know how to keep a girl on her toes, Mr. Kincaid.”
“In more ways than one, Ms. Sauer.” She nudged Honey close to look at him but couldn’t read his expression as he added, “Play your cards right and I might show you at our next play party.”
When they arrived back at the stables, Allie was too pleased by his remark to let seeing his ex, Gina, bother her. All she could think about was picturing herself in place of the woman she’d witnessed sprawled on that desk during her tour of their private floor above Casey’s. Her imagination added people watching as Brett tormented her into a shattering climax, leaving her to wonder if she could go that far in public. Brett’s low, vicious curse as they reined in their mounts helped reinforce her belief he was well over his divorce and his wife.
“What the hell is Gina doing here?” Brett asked Slade, his voice rumbling with annoyance.
“Don’t ask me. She’s your ex. How was your ride, Allie?” Slade took Honey’s reins and helped Allie alit.
“Awesome. I could spend weeks exploring your ranch, and Honey is a sweetheart.” She ran a hand over the palomino’s hip.
“Well, Gina isn’t, so excuse me while I deal with her.” Brett squeezed her shoulder, his gaze, along with hers, going to the arrival of more guests. “I’m sure you’ll know a lot of the people coming this afternoon. I’ll come find you shortly.”
“I wouldn’t want to be her,” Allie mumbled under her breath, watching him stomp toward a picnic table where Gina sat with a few other people.
“She’s the only woman I’ve met who can piss him off like that. Usually, he’ll just brush them off.” Slade pulled the saddle off Honey and hefted it over his shoulder. “Go enjoy yourself, Allie, and don’t let her ruin your evening.”
“I won’t.”
No, she wasn’t concerned about Brett’s problems with Gina, only about her growing feelings, worrying she was already beyond lust. Brett was right – she recognized several people from Eagle’s Nest as she headed for the house, her taste buds craving something sweet. Grabbing a piece of pie, she carried it outside, waiting as an older woman approached with a look of curiosity.
“Hello. I’m Andrea Hastings, Brett’s mother.” She smiled, and Allie recognized the resemblance to her sons. Brett’s eyes were the same bright green as his mother’s. “Reed tells me you’re the one responsible for Brett’s good mood today, at least until now.” She flicked an uneasy glance at Brett and Gina who had moved away from the gathering guests to stand under a shaded tree and appeared engaged in a heated disagreement. “Try not to let Gina bother you, dear. As far as my son is concerned, there’s nothing more between them.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hastings. I’m Allie, and I’d love to hear more about your oldest son.” If she was falling for a guy for the first time, she wanted to proceed armed with more insight into what made him tick, and who better to fill in those gaps than his mother?
Andrea beamed, nodding to the porch rockers. “There’s nothing I like more than bragging on my boys. I’ll join you in having dessert before dinner then we can visit.”
It seemed Brett’s family was on her side. Now, if only Allie could pinpoint which side that was, it would simplify this back and forth relationship.
****
“I’ve had it with yourshit, Gina.” Brett welcomed her sudden appearance today as much as eyeing his mother talking over pie with Allie.
“Then give me what I want.” Gina smiled sweetly, appearing nonplussed by his anger.
He didn’t want Allie thinking there was still something between him and Gina, and, if he intended to keep seeing her with an open mind to a relationship, the first step was to end his ex’s holdup on finalizing their divorce.
Though it grated to do so, he pitched one final offer to her. “I’ll add 10 percent to your prenup agreement and not a penny more. Meet me Monday morning at my lawyer’s office.”
She shook her head, the look in her eyes hardening. “No. Double it or let me move back in and accept my offer.”
“The one where we live separate lives but you have full access to everything my family and I own?” Brett fisted his hands on his hips to keep from giving in to the temptation to shake some sense into her. “You really don’t know me at all, do you?” Flicking his gaze toward Allie, he couldn’t imagine her suggesting or settling for such a relationship, let alone expecting him to agree.
