Heartbreak Ranch (17 page)

“Yes. That would be a start,” he said tightly before he spun her around and ruthlessly captured her mouth.

She moaned softly as his tongue slipped between her parted lips. When he was through plundering her lips, Colt turned her back around to face the ranch, allowing their bodies to revert to their former positions. She was panting, and it took a moment for her to catch her breath.

“I think your sister likes me,” Colt spoke softly.

Graysen sensed the smile in his words. “She thinks you’re one of the hottest men she’s ever seen.”

“I knew I would like that girl.”

“Well she does have good taste.” Colt squeezed her tightly. “The rest of my family disapproves though.” Graysen’s tone became serious.

It was becoming difficult for her to keep up her Scarlett O’Hara approach to being involved with Colt. The whole “I won’t think about that today, I will think about it tomorrow” wasn’t working any longer, especially when it came to the fact that she would be returning to Iowa in two days. She didn’t want to bring it up to Colt, afraid of his reaction, afraid at the pain that would come with talking about it. At the same time, she needed to know how he felt. She needed to know where things stood. She needed to know if this was more than a passing summer fling.

“I am sure they think I am too old for you,” Colt’s voice was still light as he held her in his arms.

“That’s probably part of it ...” She spoke softly, finding herself trying to keep it in, but it was the elephant in the room, and she couldn’t ignore it any longer. “It’s more than that, though. I think they are concerned about the distance between us rather than just our age difference.” Graysen’s voice betrayed the fact that she was just as concerned about the miles between their lives.

“Graysen ...” He was stern, warning her not to continue. She was barely listening to him though.

“Tonight reminds me of the night I first saw you,” she said gently as she gazed out to the dark corral. “You were over there,” she pointed to the empty corral. “It was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever seen. You were so masterful on that horse.” Her words were soft and reflective. “I remember thinking that I would give anything for you to touch me with those strong hands. And now …” Her voice cracked with emotion. “If I had to do it all again, I am not sure I would be as reckless with my heart.” Graysen was shocked by her revelation. Her heart caught in her throat as she thought about losing him and never being in his arms again if he decided to end things when she had to leave.

Colt spun her around and cupped her face in his hands. His eyes bored into hers. Tears pricked the back of her eyes and her heart ached. “Don’t you dare say that, Graysen,” he commanded harshly.

“What are we going to do?” Her whisper was filled with anguish. His mouth came down on hers with an urgent need, as though he was willing her to forget everything. It took every ounce of strength for Graysen to break free from his embrace. “Colt, you can’t just kiss me and make everything better.”

“The hell I can’t,” he said breathlessly.

“No ...” She tried once more before his mouth was there again. Alright, maybe he could, she thought, as his lips moved over hers once more.

She tried to fight it, but her intense sadness transformed into a raging desire. His hands grasped her and held her body to him. What was this hold he had over her? What kind of spell had he put her under? “Colt, I need you,” Graysen whispered against his mouth.

“The barn ...” he whispered desperately.

“Let’s go ...” She wanted answers, but at this moment, she wanted him more. Perhaps she could have both if they went somewhere more private.

“Colt!” Colt’s head shot around like a politician caught with his pants down. It was Heck Edmiston, and he was walking toward them, embarrassment plastered across his face from interrupting their embrace. “Umm ... sorry to interrupt you two, but June and I need you inside for a moment.” Colt rolled his eyes and looked back to her.

“Sure, Heck. I’ll be right there,” he said curtly. As Mr. Edmiston walked away, Colt apologized with his expression.

“Go to the barn, it’ll be empty. This won’t take long, and I will meet you in a couple of minutes.”

Graysen nodded and tried to smile. “Hurry up,” she whispered, trying to convey her need. He kissed her one last time before he went back into the lodge.

***

As she headed for the stables, Graysen shook her head at the ridiculousness of her situation. All Colt had to do was touch her, and she totally lost all control. She hoped to spend time with her family and maybe even dance with her wonderful rancher, but all of her plans flew out the door when Colt walked in. She wondered if the craving to be with him would ever dissipate.
Never.
The answer kept reverberating in her head. The need to be with Colt would never vanish. In fact, the closer they became, the greater her need grew. The thought frightened her. Would she be able to go on if he decided he wanted to end things when she left?

Her thoughts tortured her as she opened the barn doors and stepped inside the dark stable. She groped around in the dark and eventually found a switch. She flicked it on, and it produced a dim light. Her heels crunched the hay as she walked into one of the empty stalls to wait for Colt. She let her imagination run wild thinking about all of the things Colt would do to her when he got there. The images made her pulse race, her mouth go dry, and other parts of her grow decidedly moist. She thought briefly about undressing before he arrived so she could greet him with nothing but her smile, but decided Colt might prefer to unwrap her.

Suddenly she heard the barn doors swing open. “Hey cowboy, going to try to tame me?” she called out to him in a seductive tone. She opened the gate to greet Colt, but stopped in her tracks when she discovered it was Brady. “What are you doing here?” Graysen was shocked to find him in the barn.

“Were you expecting someone else? I saw you come in here and thought I would come find you. You look stunning …” He stalked toward her, and his hand came up to brush her cheek. She slapped it away quickly. His breath reeked of alcohol, and he looked every bit the wolf waiting to devour the lamb.

“Brady, just turn around and leave. I am not interested in spending time with you,” Graysen responded calmly, not wanting to show the fear that crept through her.

How dare he follow me in here?
she thought. Didn’t he have a clue that she wasn’t interested in him? He should have after the way she rejected him a few days ago. Perhaps she ought to complain to the Harvard Admissions Board for admitting someone who had less common sense than the horse in the stall nearby.

“C’mon, baby. I’m not used to taking no for an answer, especially when I’ve made it clear how attracted I am to you. I get what I want, no matter what.” His hand reached for her again.

“Brady, you’re falling down drunk.” She shoved him away and started to walk to the barn doors to put some distance between them since he clearly wasn’t going to.

As she moved to leave, Brady caught her and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. Panic spread through her like cracks across a frozen pond.

“How much I drink should be of little concern to you, Graysen. You don’t seem that discerning when it comes to men, especially given the fact that you are giving it up to that redneck rancher.” His words slurred as he spoke, but he was still cognizant enough to wield considerable physical force. He grabbed her wrist tightly, and she tried to break free. The more she pulled the tighter he held her. “I saw you two together on the porch. I didn’t figure you for the slumming type, Graysen.” His tone was rough with cruel edges.

“Just let go of me, Brady!” Her free hand whirled around, and she slapped him across the face. It was a mistake—like angering a swarm of bees. He still held one of her arms captive and now reached for the other. If only she could get out of his grip, she could make a run for the door. If she made it out of the barn, she could scream for help. She thought better of that; she would have to run to the lodge. With all the festivities going on in there, no one would hear her screams.

“You little bitch!” He spit the words out before forcing her against the wall, pinning her arms against it. His body pressed against her so she couldn’t move. “If I had known you were such a slut, I wouldn’t have bothered pretending to be a gentleman. You like to be ridden hard and put away wet, don’t you? That’s why you’re letting that dumb hick of a cowboy screw you, isn’t it?”

Graysen opened her mouth to scream, but Brady brutally covered it with his. His tongue forced its way between her lips. He tasted like vodka and cigarette smoke, and she forced back a gag.

She bit down on his tongue with force. Brady howled in pain and jumped back a step before he backhanded her. He smacked her so hard she was thrown to the ground. Graysen still couldn’t quite believe what was happening. One good scream escaped her mouth before Brady’s hand moved up her leg and under her dress. His other hand quickly covered her mouth. She struggled to get out from under him, but he was pinning her to the stable floor with the weight of his upper body.

Brady’s mouth singed the delicate skin of her neck, and she felt as if she would throw up from the disgust and horror churning within her. Suddenly, the barn doors flew open and a wave of relief washed over her. She couldn’t see who was there, but Brady, who had been pressing himself into her, stood up instantly. Graysen closed her eyes for a couple of seconds trying to stop the barn from spinning as she heard an angry roar heading toward them.

She was right; Brady was as stupid as he looked. He puffed up and hissed, “Who do you think you are coming at me like that? You’re just a hired hand. I could buy and sell you four times over before the night is through. Leave us. This is none of your business.”

Colt growled, “She is my business. Take a good look and then don’t ever look in her direction again. She’s mine. You fuck with what’s mine, and you’ll live to regret it. Let’s go, Jackass! Right now!”

As Graysen tried to regain her composure she heard a fist connecting with a jaw, and then a body being slammed against one of the stall doors.

When Graysen finally sat up, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Colt holding a battered and bloody Brady Heyward against the wall. Fear gripped Graysen’s heart. She had trouble reconciling the raw violence that emanated from Colt with the soft, tender side of him that she knew much better. She didn’t want Colt to get in trouble for coming to her rescue, and she felt certain that was what would happen if he didn’t stop.

“Colt, no!” She scrambled to get up and raced over to him, grasping his arm and wincing at the sight of what his fists had done. “Stop! Please!” He released Brady and let him fall to the floor, but Colt didn’t take his eyes off of him.

***

Graysen’s sobs brought Colt out of his blind rage. Immediately his arms were around her, cradling her face to his chest.

“I’m here. It’s okay,” he whispered as he stroked her hair. He pulled her head back gently, examining her for injuries. “Are you hurt?”

Her cheek stung, and her legs were a bit bruised from where Brady had tried to pry her thighs apart. In truth, she was lucky. Brady didn’t have a chance to do much of anything before Colt stormed in and discovered what was going on.

Colt titled her head back and saw her swollen cheek. His eyes widened and filled with anger as he looked the rest of her over. Her beautiful dress was torn, and purple bruises were starting to bloom on the inside of her thighs.

“Graysen, look at me. Damn it! Did he …?” He could hardly get the words out. For a split second, he turned back toward Brady with a murderous gaze, but Graysen clutched his arm and he hugged her close before lifting her in his arms and carrying her out of the barn.

Colt carried her to one of the out buildings, which turned out to be a storage pantry. He placed Graysen in a chair and then went rummaging through a cabinet. He disappeared into another room for a bit and when he returned he had a towel filled with ice. He held it gently to the cheek Brady had struck. His eyes were a mixture of concern and anger as he looked at her. Graysen held still as he held the ice to her face and stroked the other side of her face with the back of his free hand.

“Darlin’, keep this against your cheek for a bit longer. I’ve got to take care of something, but I swear I will be right back,” he said softly. Graysen knew he had to go take care of Brady, so she took the ice and nodded to him. Her stomach twisted in knots wondering what would happen. Would the sheriff have to get involved? Would Brady press charges? Would she press charges?

She didn’t want to deal with any of this. She knew her parents would have a meltdown. Although she had been scared out of her mind while Brady was attacking her, somehow she could only focus on another issue that needed to be resolved. In order for that to happen, she needed to be alone with Colt, and she knew that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

The minutes slipped away, but Graysen found it soothing to be alone with her thoughts before all hell broke loose. Soon enough her parents were there, rushing to her side, bombarding her with apologies and questions. She put their minds at ease as she answered all of their questions. She tried to convey that she was all right and that it was just a close call. She didn’t need to worry them any more than necessary.

“This is our fault.” Graysen’s mother burst into tears. “We shouldn’t have encouraged him. We shouldn’t have pushed you into going anywhere with him. We should have trusted your instincts about him and not been so insistent you go. We just felt that …”

“Mom, I am okay. No one is to blame. There is no way any of us could have known Brady would behave this way.” Graysen tried her best to comfort her mother, even though she was the one who needed support and reassurance.

Colt returned while Graysen was speaking with her parents. He told them that Brady would have to go to the emergency room before being taken into custody because of a broken nose and broken arm. The county sheriff was on his way, and Graysen would need to give him a statement. She glanced at Colt, her eyes pleading, and he apologized with his expression, knowing that all she wanted was to go somewhere away from all the confusion. He knew, though, that while her parents where there, it was better if he just stayed put.