CHAPTER ONE
KYLE
I gathered the reins on Grifter, my majestic black gelding, and scanned the horizon one last time before turning toward home. I hoped I'd done enough to prevent the feral cats and foxes from taking down any more of the cattle. Electrifying the boundary fence had been costly, and time consuming, but I couldn't keep Dufus in the barn for the rest of his days and wasn’t about to risk losing my prized bull. The randy bull produced high quality calves which sold for a small fortune and it was what kept us making good money rather than just scraping by.
I galloped Grifter across the open paddocks and felt the strength between my thighs as his muscles rippled and flexed. The horse's strides were lengthy; he loved to gallop flat out and he ate up the ground in no time. When I slowed to approach the barn, I noticed my foreperson, Wendy, talking with someone.
Someone who caused my groin to tighten and heart to beat faster. Even with his back to me, there was no doubt in my mind as to who had those curly blonde locks.
His shoulders were much broader than the last time I'd seen him. His hair hung longer and lifted in the slight breeze. The jeans he wore were molded over one helluva sexy arse.
Wendy waved when she saw me approach and the man spun around to face me. My heart missed a few beats when he smiled in my direction. Pressure mounted behind the zipper of the jeans I wore as my cock thickened with interest.
"Luke Kelly." I barely whispered the words.
It had been fifteen years since I'd last seen the man who'd haunted my dreams for more than half my life. Once school was done, he'd gone off to university in the big smoke to study law. His family had moved away shortly after when his father had started a new legal practice in Brisbane. I'd assumed Luke would be working with his father. So, what was he doing here? It wasn't as if we'd ever been friends.
Wendy took the Grifter’s reins and I dismounted. Luke took two long strides toward me, his hand outstretched. I knew it was a mistake the moment our fingers touched. A shudder cannoned through me and I fought to keep my composure as we shook.
"Kyle Walker, been a long time."
"Luke Kelly, it has been a long time. I assume you're working with your father, how's the legal business going? What brings you back here to Clearlea?" More specifically, my property?
"Didn't much like the business of being a lawyer, so I joined the police force and worked out of the Gold Coast. I tired of being in the city, missed being here in the country where you can see the stars and breathe clean air. I got a promotion to Detective Senior Sargent and when a position opened up here, I requested a transfer to take charge of your town."
"Congratulations, but why my place?"
"I heard your dad left the property to you and came out to say hello. I know we weren't friends or anything in school, but I always admired your ability to ignore those around you and get on with what you were doing."
"It wasn't hard to melt into the background when you're a country geek surrounded by football studs and cheerleaders."
"We never purposely ignored you, we…."
I waved my hand in the air. "Long time ago, Luke. Water under the bridge. You still haven't answered me though, I find it hard to believe you only came out here to say hello. Was there something you needed?"
Me? Please say me.
Get your fucking head on the right way, Walker. Football Player. Cop. Straight!
I hated that fucking voice that was all common sense.
I caught the glance Luke shot in Wendy's direction and the penny dropped. Straight guy remember and Wendy is one gorgeous woman. One very single, straight, gorgeous woman.
"Oh, sorry, you're here to see Wendy, I'll leave you to it."
I stepped away but was stopped in my tracks when Luke's large hand gripped the top of my arm.
"No, it's you I need to speak with. I kind of need a favour."
I was intrigued. Luke Kelly, who had some long official name with the third at the end, a man from one of the wealthiest families in the area, wanted a favour from me? I was all ears.
"I'll take care of Grifter while you two talk" Wendy turned and headed for the stables.
"Um, Wendy, can you hold on," Luke called.
She spun back around. "Yes?"
"This concerns you too being as your Kyle's wife."
Wendy and I exchanged a quick glance and burst out laughing.
"What?" Luke’s eyes ping-ponged back and forth, his expression one of confusion.
Such a beautiful face—strong, square jaw, a nose which sat crooked thanks to being broken a few times on the football field only added to his beauty. And the bluest eyes God ever bestowed on a person. I decided to erase his confusion.