Play Me

Kendall’s beautiful face broke out in an enormous smile. “It’s perfect for her.”

The way she was looking at me, the way her blue eyes reflected the sky above us, had me losing control. I reached for her hand and pulled her against me. Cupping her face in my hands, I pressed a light kiss to her pink lips and then whispered the only word I could manage at the moment.

“Kendall.”

After making out on the blanket like two high school kids, we stopped before things got carried away. I knew Kendall wanted more—I did, too—but I needed to keep this away from the sex. At least until after my folks left. I really wanted Kendall to see there was more between us than just the intense physical attraction we had for each other. Maybe intense was the wrong word, though. It felt like so much more.

After washing down the horses and getting them into their stalls, Kendall and I headed out of the barn.

“Now what?”

“Now I’m taking you into town so you can get a few things for the weekend. As much as I want you naked in my house tonight, I’m pretty sure you would rather have clothes on. Especially since Mom is planning game night.”

Kendall perked up. “Game night? Oh, how fun! My parents used to have game night, too.”

My father walked out and stood on the porch as we approached. He tossed me my keys. “Got your text y’all are heading into town.”

“Yeah. Need anything?” I asked.

Laughing, my father shook his head. “No. Your mother has pretty much shopped in every single store on Main Street. I may need you to ship some of this stuff back home to us.”

Kendall giggled, and I found myself loving the way it sounded as well as how it made my body feel. I loved it when she was relaxed. When she simply let her guard down and enjoyed life. Not that she was uptight, but she had always put her job first and foremost. It was time to show her there was more to life than boardrooms, high-heeled shoes, and endless work.

I opened the door for Kendall and held her hand while she climbed into the truck. I gave her a wink, kissed the back of her hand, and shut the door. The drive into town was pretty much silent. Kendall appeared lost in her own thoughts, and I figured it was best to let her work through whatever it was she needed to work through. She stared out the window, and I would have given anything to know what she was thinking. Part of me was afraid to ask. Maybe giving her too much time to think hadn’t been a good idea. The last thing I wanted her to do was regret coming. After endless minutes of silence, I gave in, my own fears beginning to take hold.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

She turned and gave me a sweet smile. One that had my entire body feeling something I don’t remember ever feeling before. Not even with Rachel, and I had been in love with her, or so I’d thought. At the time, I’d figured she was the one. The girl I’d ask to marry me, settle down with, and have a couple of kids with. Looking back now, though, I knew that wasn’t what either one of us had wanted. She wanted money and stability. I wanted someone to share my bed for all the wrong reasons.

“I was thinking how glad I am that I came here this weekend. That we’re spending time together. But…”

My heart dropped. “The infamous ‘but.’ Hell, I knew it was coming.”

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Hunter. I just wonder how we’re going to do this once we get back to the real world on Monday. Being here at your ranch, in this town where no one knows me or knows who I am to you, it’s freeing. I’m loving it and loving feeling so relaxed. Once we get back to Bowling Green, though, that’s a whole other thing. I need to know how we’re going to do this. I can’t walk into that part of my life with no plan of action.”

She was right, and I knew it. Kendall wasn’t the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of woman, especially when it came to her career, and I respected that. I couldn’t deny that part of me simply wished we could stay at my ranch and never go back to Bowling Green, but I knew that would never make Kendall happy. Pushing that thought out of my head, I focused on this current problem. The other one could be dealt with when the time came.

“I think we should keep our relationship between us. No one needs to know we’re dating. We’re adults, and I’m confident I can keep my hands to myself when we’re at work. After work, though, you’re mine.”

Her cautious smile turned to a wide grin. “Dating. I’ve never dated anyone. I mean I’ve been with men, but nothing serious. It was more of an arrangement, I guess.”

I found a parking spot on Main and turned off my truck. The last thing I wanted to hear about was her fuck buddy back in Atlanta. I almost wanted to ask her when they’d broken things off, but figured it was better if I didn't know.

“That’s why we’re taking this slow. It’s not just about the sex, Kendall.”

“Speaking of… when will we be revisiting that again?”

I laughed and opened the truck door. Kendall followed my lead and hopped out of the truck.

“Trust me when I say it is taking every ounce of strength I have not to bury myself inside of you.”

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. If I hadn’t been paying attention, I might have missed the soft moan that came from the back of her throat.

“What if that’s what I want you to do?”

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Not very patient, are you?”

“Not when it comes to something I want, but I do agree with you. We need to take it slow. And if this doesn’t work, we won’t let it affect our working relationship. We both have a goal for the Mustangs, and that is to make them a championship team. So for now, this stays between us.”

“Sounds like a solid plan. Come tonight, though, you’re mine, Kendall. I plan on learning every part of your body and what it takes to make you call out my name in pleasure.”

Her breathing increased, and I leaned down, keeping my mouth inches from hers and teasing her with the idea of a kiss.

“Damn it, Hunter. Kiss me.”

Slipping my hand behind her neck, I drew her mouth to mine and kissed her. She parted her lips and sighed when our tongues met. It never ceased to amaze me the warmth that flowed through my body when I touched her. I’d been going fucking mad the last two weeks. Knowing she’d run from what happened between us had both pissed me of and confused me. I hadn’t been looking for a relationship, but Kendall was an unexpected surprise. One that would change my life forever.

We ended the kiss, and I leaned my forehead against hers. “Kendall, I need to be honest with you.”

“Please do. I want nothing but honesty between us, Hunter. I need it.”

“I can’t shake the fear that you’re going to run again. Promise me you won’t run and we’ll talk if anything spooks you again.”

Her bright blue eyes looked up into mine with nothing but truth in them. Kendall simply nodded and whispered, “I promise you, Hunter. I’ll talk to you if I feel scared about something.”

“I’m falling for you, Kendall.”

“Falling for me?” she asked in such a soft voice, I barely heard it.

“Yes.”

“Oh.” Then she stepped away from me, turned and walked into the clothing store.

“Fuck,” I mumbled as I followed after her.

Too soon. What the hell were you thinking, Owens?

Kendall walked in and took a quick survey of the store. A young girl approached us, a smile on her face.

“Can I help you?” she asked, looking at Kendall and then me.

“Yes, I need a couple pairs of jeans, some boots, and a few other things.”

Her voice was firm—not a shake to it. As if what had just happened outside hadn’t happened. I pushed my fingers into my hair and sighed. Kendall turned around and smiled. Does she have any idea what sh

e just did to me? I’d opened myself up, and she’d shot me down.

“Why don’t you do what you need to do and let me take care of this? I won’t be that long.”

She was pushing me away again. Great.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll be down at the feed store. Just come get me when you’re done.”

I was sure she heard the coldness in my voice. I tried not to be that way, but hell, I had just opened my heart to her and she’d ignored me.

Kendall reached for my hand and pulled me close to her. Leaning up on her toes, she kissed me on the lips. When she smiled, I felt my knees shake. “Hey, I wasn’t spooked. Just caught off guard. I needed a minute to process.” She took a deep breath and said, “I’m falling for you, too. Be patient with me, Hunter. Please.”

My entire body sagged with relief. I was positive Kendall noticed.

“I can do that.”

“Good. Now go so I can get this done and we can get back to the ranch.”

Taking a step back, I tipped my cowboy hat to her and replied, “Yes, ma’am.”

Her cheeks flushed. and her eyes did a slow sweep of my body. What had been humor in those baby blues quickly turned to something far more sinful. I needed to leave before I followed her into the dressing room.

22

Hunter

After I picked up a few bags of feed and talked to Charlie Rogers for about fifteen minutes, Kendall met me outside the feed store. In her hands, she held three shopping bags.

“What in the world could you possibly find in that small-town country store to fill up three bags?”

Her eyes were ablaze with excitement. “You would not believe the cute outfits I found in there! I even bought myself a pair of cowboy boots.”

Charlie looked at me, then at Kendall, and back to me. “City girl, huh?”

I nodded.

“You went off and picked yourself a real fine young man here, miss. Hunter Owens is a class act. A good man right down to the bones.”

Kendall smiled. “Yes, he is, sir.”