ROUGH RANCHER Read online

Rising to his feet, he walked across to the old oak buffet against the wall and picked up a photograph. As he stared at it, he could almost understand her confusion. The teenager standing next to Ernie bore little resemblance to the man sitting at the table.

  “Here,” he said, laying it down and returning to his chair.

  “That’s ridiculous,” she exclaimed. “That’s not you, that’s Kyle!” Then gasping, she stared across at him with wide eyes. “No…are you…?”

  “Kyle, in the flesh, except I go by Callum now.”

  “But…your hair…your size…everything. You’re completely different.”

  “Don’t you remember what you said?”

  “When?”

  “The day you chose to come down from your lofty heights to speak to me for thirty-seconds, and offer me an impossible invitation?”

  “I…uh…” she stammered, the pink blush on her cheeks turning crimson. “Kind of.”

  “Hey, Kelly, what did I say about lyin’,” he warned. “I won’t hesitate to spank your ass again.”

  “God, I can’t believe this,” she mumbled, shaking her head as she stared at him. “Why did you change your name?”

  “Now you’re tryin’ to switch gears. That’s okay, I understand,” he replied patiently, “but to answer your question, isn’t it obvious?”

  “So you wouldn’t be found by those awful friends of yours?”

  “Give the girl a gold star, though I wouldn’t call them friends, but yeah. Ernie—and a great cop—gave me a chance to leave that life. I sure as hell didn’t want it followin’ me here.”

  She nodded, then started to speak, but dropped her eyes to the table. Not wanting to push, he remained quiet while she gathered her thoughts.

  “I still can’t believe it’s you,” she finally whispered. “That moment…I’ve thought about it so many times.”

  “Kelly, look at me. I mean, really look at me.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “Yeah, I know. That’s why you have to.”

  Her chest rose and fell as she took in a deep breath, then she slowly lifted her gaze.

  “My God, it is you,” she breathed, her face crinkling.

  “Yep, your very own bad boy, right here. That’s what you called me. Now you’re gonna tell me what happened that night. Why did you leave me hangin’?”

  “God. Why are you torturing me like this?

  “Me torturing you? It’s the other way around, sweetheart. You tortured me, and I need answers. You said—“

  “I know what I said and I know what I did…or rather…didn’t do! Sorry…it’s just so hard sitting here with you like this.”

  “Our demons, our decisions, our mistakes, our regrets… whatever you wanna call them, we all have to face them at some point.”

  “Kyle, I mean, Callum. Fuck. What do I call you?”

  “Callum, that’s who I am now. But I still have Kyle’s memories.”

  “Callum, I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. I feel weird about that. Really weird. And I’m sorry about—uh—that night. Truly I am.”

  “Just tell me what happened. Did you get scared? Couldn’t you get away? I waited for almost an hour in that damn stall. I couldn’t believe I was so wrong about you. For a long time I thought you’d been messin’ with me for fun. Is that what you were doin? Just screwin’ with me? I really thought you cared.”

  “I did…I do…” she exclaimed earnestly. “It wasn’t like that at all.”

  “Then tell me what it was like.”

  “I’m not sure I can.”

  “Yeah, you can, and we’re not leavin’ this table until you do.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Dropping her face in her hands, Kelly thought back to all the carefree, exciting summers she’d enjoyed at the ranch. The last time she’d been there before heading off to college, she’d started to notice Kyle, the brawny, brooding, muscled bad boy from the inner-city.

  He was from a rough neighborhood, he had long hair, leather bracelets around his wrists, and a don’t fuck with me attitude. He rarely spoke, and when she’d been brave enough to catch his eye, he’d stared right back at her, turning her legs to jelly. Though she’d seen him many times, she’d always avoided him, but suddenly, from his torn jeans to his smoldering glances, everything about him was irresistible.

  For weeks, her pulse racing, she’d watched him from a distance, but whenever their paths were about to cross she’d hurry away, too intimidated to meet him.

  Then out of nowhere, she had a burst of courage.

  In one insane, impetuous moment, she’d arranged to meet up with him.

  There were other boys she’d liked back home.

  But Kyle was different.

  He was edgy and dangerous.

  She imagined him kissing her, then holding her tightly in his muscled arms.

  She’d almost realized her wish.

  But she been unable to keep their date, then forced to leave the ranch early the following morning, she wasn’t able to find him to explain. Staring out the back window as her parents drove down the dusty driveway, she thought she’d never see him again.

  Now he was sitting in front of her.

  Merciless rain pounded the roof and splashed against the windows.

  Peals of thunder roared overhead.

  But all she could focus on was him.

  He was making her heart pound and her stomach do somersaults.

  “I’m waiting, Kelly.”

  “Oh, my gosh!” she suddenly exclaimed. “That’s why I didn’t know you. Besides your short hair and beard, your nose is different. What happened?”

  “It collided with a fist.”

  “What? Holy crap. How? When?”

  “That story can wait. I want to know why you left me hangin’ that night.”

  “It’s not complicated,” she said hastily. “We were supposed to stay for another week, but at dinner that night, dad got a call. There was a big emergency at work and he said we had to leave first thing in the morning. Mom was completely frazzled and I had to help her pack everything up. I tried, but I couldn’t get away. I did manage to sneak out really early before we left, but you weren’t around, and I was afraid to send you a letter in case Uncle Ernie found it. I’m so sorry. Truly I am. I wanted to see you so much.” She had spoken quickly in a torrent of words, but staring at him, her stomach in knots, she added, “I should have known it was you. I do now, I feel it…and your eyes…how did I not recognize your eyes?”

  “What did you think would happen that night?” he asked, his expression and voice softening as he leaned across the table.

  “I, uh, I wasn’t sure.”

  “Is that the whole truth?”

  “Yes, kind of…” she murmured, trying to ignore the delicious heat rippling through her body.

  “But you were hopin’ for…? Tell me, Kelly, what did you want?”

  “I, uh, I wanted you to kiss me and hold me,” she managed breathlessly, feeling like the girl she’d been that summer, “and…uh…”

  “Go on.”

  “Touch me,” she whispered, but unable to hold his gaze, she dropped her eyes to the table.

  “And now? Look at me and tell me what you want now.”

  With a hot lump burning in her throat, and filled with an unfamiliar, deep longing, she managed to slowly lift her gaze.

  “The same—except—”

  But before she could finish, he abruptly stepped around the table and pulled her from her chair. As she fell against his chest and his arms wrapped around her, every muscle in her body quivered.

  “Finish what you were about to say,” he murmured, his lips against her ear. “You want the same…except…?

  “Except—more,” she breathed. “God, I can’t believe I said it.”

  She felt him grip her hair, then jerking her head back, he lowered his lips on hers, softly at first, then consumed her mouth in a fervent, demanding kiss that made her heart pound and her entire being weak.


  Suddenly he was lifting her off her feet and carrying her down the hall to the bedroom. Tossing her on the bed, he deftly removed her clothes, and as she watched him strip, she thought she must be dreaming. It was impossible to believe. But as he climbed on top of her and pinned her wrists on either side of her head, it was incredibly, wonderfully, magically, real.

  “I was afraid to come here,” she confessed, gazing up at him. “I was so heartsick for so long I didn’t know how I’d feel. That’s why I was so bitchy when I arrived. Being here hurt.”

  “I knew you’d have to come back at some point, and I wanted to be here when you did. One way or another, I was gonna find out what happened, then finish what barely got started, or walk away and never look back.”

  “Kyle—Callum—you’re the same, yet you’re different.”

  “That kid grew up, and he learned a few things,” he said with a grin, then lowered his lips to her neck and hungrily sucked her skin.

  As shivers of pleasure sent goosebumps popping across her skin, she closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his chest hair scraping against her nipples, and his cock hard against her thigh.

  “You wanna be touched?” he murmured as he kissed his way to her chest.

  “Yes, yes, please…”

  “Where?”

  “Everywhere, God, I’ve waited for so long. I can’t believe we’re here.”

  “Some things are worth waitin’ for,” he murmured, then abruptly releasing her, he rolled off her body, settled on his side and circled his finger around her nipples. “Your tits are gorgeous.”

  As he covered the cherry tip with his mouth, she moaned loudly, raising her chest to meet his lips. But all too soon, he raised his head.

  “Close your eyes and stay just like you are,” he growled. “I’ll be right back.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Callum had never lacked female company, but through the years Kelly had continued to haunt him. After Ernie had passed away, and she’d emailed to arrange her visit, though he was excited at the prospect of seeing her again, he was also anxious.

  He wasn’t the same kid she’d known, and he assumed she would have changed too, but the moment he’d seen her standing in the bedroom door, flustered and embarrassed, the feelings he had for her that summer flooded his heart.

  Now walking quickly into the bathroom to fetch a condom, he realized it was probably fortunate they hadn’t hooked up when they were teenagers. His life had been a mess, and she’d been heading off to college. If their feelings had exploded, the separation would have been agonizing, and God forbid her parents found out. They would have been mortified at the prospect of their princess involved with a leather jacketed, long-haired bad boy from the streets. All hell would have broken loose. Now their lives were their own, and she was naked, waiting in his bed.

  He could scarcely believe it.

  Hastily finding a condom and sheathing his stiffened cock, he strode back into the room, but when he approached the bed, though her eyes were still closed, her legs were spread and her fingers were against her pussy.

  “Hey, what are you doin?” he asked, grabbing her wrist and pulling her hand away.

  “I didn’t hear you come back,” she replied breathlessly. “Can I open my eyes now?”

  “Yep, but that’s not the answer to my question.”

  “I couldn’t help myself. Please make love to me,” she begged, staring up at him. “I need you so much.”

  “Rule number one, no touchin’ yourself without askin’,” he said sternly, sliding his fingers into her sex and fervently moving them in and out. “You understand?”

  “Yes, yes, I understand,” she panted. “I won’t, I promise.”

  Continuing to finger her, he lowered his head to her breasts and hungrily sucked in her nipples, eliciting a long, low moan.

  “How often have you imagined this?” he asked, turning his head to the side and studying her flushed face.

  “More than I can say,” she groaned. “I never stopped thinking about what it would have been like that night.”

  “Are you ready to find out?”

  “God yes, please, Callum…”

  Hastily climbing on top of her and placing himself at her entrance, he slowly pushed himself into her warmth.

  “Damn, girl, you feel so fuckin’ good,” he grunted, abruptly grabbing her wrists and holding them above her head.

  “You’re filling me,” she gasped. “It’s never been like this…”

  Thrusting with slow, measured strokes, he savored her tightness, and her whimpered utterances of pleasure. But as he began to quicken his pace, she squeezed her eyes shut and cried out.

  “Am I hurtin’ you?”

  “No, no, it’s incredible. Please don’t stop.”

  He was shocked she might already be nearing the edge, then he remembered she’d been urgently rubbing her clit when he’d returned from the bathroom. Pulling out, he grabbed her ankles and flipped her over, eliciting a loud squeal.

  “Move your knees apart,” he ordered, landing a sharp slap on each cheek.

  “Why do I love it when you talk that way? Why does it make me so hot?”

  “I’m doin’ what I want. It turns you on.”

  “Yes, God, it does,” she whimpered, then wriggled her hips as if asking to be spanked again. He obliged, landing a series of hard smacks on each cheek. Though she squealed and yelped, he didn’t stop until the blush blooming on her skin was rosy pink.

  “Listen good, Kelly,” he murmured, leaning over and placing his lips against her ear. “That spankin’ was just a taste of how I’ll burn your ass if you don’t listen. I told you to spread your knees and I’m still waitin’,” he scolded, then straightening up, he grinned as she quickly shuffled her legs apart. “That’s better. You want me back inside you?”

  “Yes, yes.”

  “Say please.”

  “Ooh, yes, please.”

  Holding himself at her opening, he plunged forward, gripped her hips, then pitched in and out with powerful strokes.

  “I knew you’d be like this,” she panted. “I don’t know how, I just did.”

  He paused, but stayed buried inside her.

  “Like what?”

  “Don’t stop.”

  “Don’t stop?” he repeated, spanking her again, moving his flattened palm from cheek to cheek. “You don’t give the orders, you follow them. Tell me what you meant. Like what?”

  “In charge…I love it so much.”

  As her breathless admission sent energy surging through his loins, he grabbed a fistful of hair, pulled her head back, and began pummeling her pussy.

  “Yeah, I call the shots,” he growled. “I’m guessin’ you’re not used to that.”

  “N-not really.”

  “You liked me back then cos I was from the streets,” he continued, pausing to slip his hand beneath her to rub her clit.

  “You were -d-different…n-not afraid of anything…ooh, Callum, that f-feels so g-good….I’m so c-close… “

  Releasing her hair and placing both hands around her waist, he withdrew, then plunged back inside her, stroking slowly at first, then quickening his pace, riding her into her orgasm. Suddenly throwing back her head, she yowled like a wolf baying at the moon.

  “Let go!” he ordered gruffly, feeling his own climax looming. “Give it to me!”

  The muscles in her back tightened, and as a rush of energy rippled through his cock, she suddenly shrieked, then shrieked again and again. With sparkling spasms shuddering through his body, his guttural groans joined with her cries, until drained and spent, he slipped out and fell beside her.

  His heart pounded like a blacksmith’s hammer, but hearing her moan softly, and feeling her curl against him, he managed to raise his arm and move it around her shoulders. As she mumbled something he didn’t quite hear, his eyes closed and he drifted away.

  * * *

  Stirring from his deep doze and hearing the storm still raging, Callum let out a
heavy sigh and rubbed his hands over his face.

  “Come here, you,” he mumbled, slowly opening his eyes and rolling over to hold her. But finding the bed empty, he hastily climbed out, pulled on his jeans and hurried from the room.

  “Kelly?” he called, starting for the kitchen.

  “I’m in here, in Uncle Ernie’s office.”

  Quickly walking down the hall, he entered to find her wrapped up in a robe, sitting at the desk holding a photograph.

  His pulse ticked up.

  “I didn’t mean to pry. The envelope was blank. I just opened it,” she said nervously. “Who is this guy you’re with?”

  Stepping forward, he took it from her hand and stared at the picture.

  “His name is Smiler, and he’s someone you never want to meet.”

  “Really? But, Callum, I already have…”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Though Callum didn’t say anything, his eyes narrowed, and Kelly saw his fingers curl into fists. She wasn’t sure if he was angry or worried, or both.

  “Where did you meet him? How…?” he asked, striding towards her as thunder rumbled overhead.

  “It was no big deal,” she replied hastily, thinking the fearsome sound accentuated the moment. “It was that morning… when I was leaving here for the last time before going off to college. The morning I couldn’t find you.”

  “That’s when you saw Smiler? But…that’s impossible,” Callum muttered, shaking his head. “Are you sure you’re not getting him confused with someone else?”

  “Oh, no, he was wearing that weird pendant around his neck, just like the one in the photo, and I’m not surprised his nickname is Smiler. That was all he did, smile the whole time.”

  “Where did this meeting take place?”

  “At a gas station. We’d been on the road a couple of hours when dad had to stop and fill up. Mom and I went into the convenience store and that guy—Smiler—was inside.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Callum muttered, his frown deepening. “When you say you met him, what happened exactly?”

  “Not much. Mom was at the coffee machine, and I was getting a soda. He came up and started talking to me. He gave me the creeps, so I—“