The Reluctant Virgin [Ride 'em Hard 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (11 page)

“Chance seemed like a nice fellow.”

She spun away from her mother, looking out into the black fields. The cool air was settling in now, crisp and refreshing. “He has a new girl every couple weeks. He’s looking for immediate gratification, not a long-term commitment. Besides, he’s looking for perfection, and that’s something I’m not.”

“Nobody’s perfect, sweetheart.”

Her mother wasn’t helping. Cindy didn’t worry about a fat ass, acne, or stretch marks. She didn’t hide behind a layer of makeup or stuff her bra. She was missing a leg. According to her, that put a scarlet letter right on her forehead—not for adultery, but still warning men to pass her by. Even if nobody could see the letter, she knew it was there and felt it burning into her flesh whenever she got her hopes up.

“You’re right, mom. I best get to bed.”

She loved her mother to death. She’d always defended Cindy and loved her unconditionally all the years of her life. Her parents weren’t rich or educated, but they tried their best to raise Cindy the best they could. Sometimes life just was what it was.

As she made her way to her room, she knew her mother would never mention men to her again. It made her sad for so many different reasons. Part of her wanted Chance to come back, whisk her off her feet, and declare his undying love for her. But the logical part knew she’d only push him away again, certain he had a hidden agenda. How could she teach herself to trust? Because it was terrifying.

She crawled under her blankets and rolled the lip of her prosthesis off with her foot, just wanting it off for the night and not caring to look at it. Once she’d managed to get it off, she kicked it to the floor. They had a love-hate relationship. She was thankful to have it because it kept her out of a wheelchair. But she also wished to be normal, something she’d never be. She wanted to slip into a fairy tale where she could trade her voice for a leg…or true love.

Before she fell asleep she said a silent prayer. She gave thanks for her mother, her father, their home, and the security of her job. She also thanked God for the three men who briefly opened up her world. They’d given her a glimpse of what it would feel like to be normal, to be desired. For that she’d suffer the pain now making her heart ache.

A week had passed since Cindy Taylor showed up to appraise his land. Josh had busied himself with work around the ranch, trying his best not to focus on those blue eyes haunting his waking thoughts.

He stabbed a pitchfork into the hay and wiped his brow with a clean rag. The heat wouldn’t let up, making the installation of an irrigation system even more imperative. But he refused to be the first to call. She had to make that move.

“Hay won’t shovel itself,” said Adam. Josh hadn’t noticed his younger brother staring at him. He was leaning against the bay doors of the barn

“Just taking a breather.”

Adam shoved off from his spot and approached him. “You look like shit. You haven’t been yourself since that girl left.”

“I’m busy is all.”

“Bullshit, Josh. You’re acting like a lovesick teenager, and you barely knew that girl. It’s ridiculous. Part of me thinks you want her just because Matthew does.”

He’d known Matthew took Cindy out to dinner, but he didn’t know all the details. In fact, he preferred not to think about it because it made him see red. “What girl are you talking about?”

Adam laughed out loud and threw up his hands. “That’s the biggest joke I’ve heard in a long time, brother. I mean, I know our town lacks for eligible females, but come on. It’s like you have a neon sign above your head announcing that you’re pining over a woman. Everyone knows it, not just me.”

It was true that men outnumbered women ten to one in their town. It was likely the reason there were so many ménage relationships. Both Matthew’s brothers and his sister had settled down with more than one partner. Did Matthew plan to do the same thing? Would Josh even want to share Cindy if she agreed to date him?

Adam was right. He was acting out of character. It wasn’t like Josh had known the girl all his life. He faintly remembered her from before she left town, but that was it. There was just something intangible about Cindy—her personality, her strength, her guarded playfulness. His attraction, combined with his recent urge to settle down, had put him in a black mood since she left. Add a healthy heaping of jealousy and he was not to be reckoned with.

“Well everyone can just mind their damn business. I ain’t pining over anyone. If I were, I certainly wouldn’t be out here doing my job. Do you see me calling her?”

Adam adjusted his Stetson. “Maybe you should.” Then he returned to the shadows of the barn, leaving Josh alone with his morose thoughts.

He finished hauling the hay over the split-rail fence for the horses, and then he made a beeline for the telephone in the kitchen of the house.
It’s only business
, he told himself. He needed to find out about the irrigation system quote, or he’d have to look elsewhere.
Just business.

“Mr. Oakley?”

“Can I help you?”

“It’s Josh Granger. I was calling to find out about my quote. It’s been a week, and I thought I’d hear something by now.”

“Son, I apologize, but my girl Cindy asked to be taken off the last leg of this assignment. Can’t say why exactly, but she was quite adamant. I only have one other staff member knowledgeable enough to finish the final details with you. He won’t available until Tuesday.”

“That just won’t do,” he said. “Ms. Taylor started this quote and I expect her to finish it. It’s nonsense to redo the work she’s already done, wasting everyone’s time and money. Have her complete her job, or I’ll be forced to look elsewhere.”

Why the fuck was Cindy giving him the brush-off? What had he done so wrong besides kiss her? Was she that unattracted to him? Did she prefer Matthew? He’d called Mr. Oakley, but he’d really called to find out about the girl plaguing his mind. She’d been avoiding him all this time.

Josh knew there were little options in finding an irrigation company close enough and available to do the work he needed, but he wasn’t thinking with his head when he gave Mr. Oakley the ultimatum. He felt like a jerk, but before he could retract his words and apologize, the old man agreed.

“I’ll have Cindy drive up first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Sneaky little devil,” she muttered under her breath. Mr. Oakley had sided with Josh Granger and insisted she finish the job up north. And the job was nearly complete, just a few minor details she’d overlooked. How was she expected to think clearly after everything that had happened on the ranch? When her boss said she had to come back, she argued and threw a little fit, but he wouldn’t budge. Her job at Oakley Irrigation was all she had, and she couldn’t lose it by refusing the boss.

Cindy had hoped to avoid both Josh and Matthew, unable to come to grips with the array of emotions they brought out in her. Over the past week, since Chance walked out on her, she’d decided it was safest and best to cut off men entirely. There was more to life than marriage and children. And sex. She may die a virgin, but at least she’d have her pride.

She neared the back roads of her old town. Seeing the familiar sights brought her the usual anxiety, but now there was something more. Her body lit up in anticipation, her pussy growing moist just recalling her time with the two cowboys. This was not good.

How was she supposed to remain professional and distant if all she could think about were all those hard, tanned muscles, kissable lips, and roaming hands?

Cindy pulled into the lot in front of the Granger ranch. Josh was leaning against the fence as if he knew the moment she’d arrive. What game was he playing?

She slammed her truck door shut once she hopped down to the gravel with disregard.

“You have some nerve, Granger!” She didn’t care about being professional now that he’d crossed the line himself. He only wanted her to complete the job so he could have another chance to court her—right into his bed. It was bad enough she had to deal with one playboy at home, but two was an overload.

He tilted his black Stetson back, looking too good to be holy. “Well aren’t you in a mood, Ms. Taylor,” he said, playing innocent.

“A mood? I had to drive all the way out to this god-forsaken land just to keep my job. And I have you to thank for that.”

“I just asked for you to finish the job you started. Was there a reason you wanted to drop the assignment?”

“Yes, there was, actually. You!”

She stormed off to the rear of the house. There wasn’t too much data to collect, but she planned to do it in record time and be on her way.

He tagged along behind her, his heavy footfalls closing in fast. “Me? Did I get under your skin, darlin’?”

“Yes, like a splinter. Now, please leave me be so I can do my job.”

He laughed—a deep, masculine sound. His presence was a distraction. Josh was so tall and commanding. Even his scent drove her libido wild.

“Can’t I watch?”

For some reason his comment made her think of Chance when he asked to hear about her encounter with Matthew. She could imagine two of the men watching as another fucked her. Maybe in Josh’s hay loft with the wooden doors wide open.
What is wrong with me?
She’d gone from a respectable woman to a wanton hussy in the span of a week.

“You’re a menace,” she said. But by the time she turned around to gauge his reaction, he had her pinned to the side of the house. He shackled her wrists and brought them high above her head. Her heart raced, her blood heated, and her pussy tightened.

“You have no idea what I am. Or what I’m capable of.” He stared at her, his eyes so blue she swore she saw the ocean waves. “You avoid me, but then you play games.”

“I’m just trying to do my job.” She struggled, but he held her still. “I have no idea what games you’re talking about, Mr. Granger.”

“Mr. Granger now?” He clucked his tongue.

She felt no sense of fear, only titillation. There was no anger in Josh. He remained calm, his voice steady, but he was in control. She liked it.

“Let me go.”

“I bet if I slid my hand down your pants you’d be soaked through.” He held her wrists up with one big hand and used his free hand to lightly run along the side of her breast. “And your nipples are begging to be sucked.”

“You’re disgusting,” she said. But in truth, his words spiraled around inside her, lighting up every erogenous zone. His raw, crude nature was driving her wild on the inside. Could he sense it? Did desire have a unique fragrance to men? He certainly behaved like an animal. Would he be as untamed in bed? Or would he be patient for her first time?

“Better for you.”

She wasn’t sure what that meant, but she was certain it had sexual connotations.

Cindy parted her lips to breathe. Her heart was pumping so fast she didn’t doubt she’d pass out for the thrill.

Josh slid his work-roughened hand up her shirt. She closed her eyes as he neared her breasts. Cindy wore no bra today even though she always did. It was as if part of her anticipated this moment, secretly yearning for it. Would Josh refuse her in the end like Matthew and Chance had?

“You’re soft, Cindy. Like silk against my fingers.” He cupped one breast in his palm, squeezing slightly. The forbidden nature of the touch set her nerves afire. Her senses became magnified. She could hear the wind, the birds in the distance, even the shed door flapping open and closed near the front of the house.

“Why’re you afraid?” he asked.

“I’m not,” she blurted, too fast. If he knew she was a virgin, maybe he’d refuse her, too. It was better if he believed she was an experienced woman, because her body no longer cared about honor and pride. She wanted to know the pleasures of the flesh. If she was destined to become an old maid, she at least wanted some memories to reflect on during the long, cold nights alone.

“Then why are you shivering? If I didn’t know any better I’d say you weren’t used to a man’s touch.” He released her pinned arms. The blood pooled into her hands in a rush, creating thousands of pinprick sensations. “That’s hard to believe seeing how beautiful you are.”

She felt defensive, determined to maintain her ruse. “I’ve been touched plenty. I was with Matthew just last week.” She left out the fact they hadn’t actually had intercourse. Josh frowned, not at all pleased.

“I don’t want to hear about Matthew now.” His voice was dominant, carrying a hint of a threat. She liked this possessive side to him. “Touch me.”

“What?”

He practically ripped off his own checkered shirt, one of the buttons flying off into the long grass along the house. “I want to feel your little hands on me. Don’t be shy. Like you said, you have plenty of experience.”

Josh was so close to her, only a breath separating their bodies. His chest looked rock hard, his nipples small, brown, and tempting. She desperately wanted to test those taut muscles for herself. What the hell was holding her back? This was what she wanted.

She tentatively reached out and laid a palm on his pec. His flesh was much warmer than hers. She’d never had the pleasure of exploring a man’s body. Cindy let her hands roam—lower. His abs were ripped, and her fingers traced each toned ridge on their descent. As she neared his big silver buckle she discovered a trail of dark hair.