Enamored Page 3

  I open my mouth to say something, and he cuts me off, leaning forward so his upper body is stretched across the picnic table. I can smell his intoxicating scent, and I want to fist his shirt and pull him to me for a brutal kiss. I lick my lips. His eyes roam down to the motion, and he stares at me. His eyes darken, and for a moment, I think it might be in lust until he opens his mouth.

  “Do me a favor. Don’t tell me how to run my ranch.” He keeps his voice low and level, but the meaning is clear. Don’t fuck with me.

  I take a deep, shaky breath. “Message received. I have enough to start working on the designs. I’ll show you some later, and we can discuss.” I close my laptop and pack my items. I need to get away from this man. Just when we start falling into old habits, I’m reminded that he’s not the same man I fell in love with.

  Walking back to the cabin, I drop my stuff off and look around. It’s too nice outside to stay cooped up in this cabin. I grab my sketchpad and decide I need some fresh air to get the creative juices flowing. First stop—the pond.

  I meander down the familiar path to the pier that overlooks the water. Off in the distance, I notice a few horses drinking, and I smile as I watch them. There must be some guests out for a ride. I sit cross-legged on the pier and open the pad, placing it in my lap. I drew the basic layout on the plane, so now it’s a matter of filling in all the details Tristan said he wants.

  I’m hard at work, bent over my project when my phone rings. It’s unexpected, and I’m startled by the noise. Looks like they finally fixed the service problem. Eloise’s name lights up the large touch screen, and I slide the accept button up.

  “Hi, Eloise. How are you?”

  “Fine. How’s the ranch? Have you met with Tristan Ellis yet?”

  I sigh. “Yes. He’s given me ideas on what he wants, and I am working on a design as we speak. It’s pretty straight forward. He wants the expansion to be garden style rooms built into a large cabin. He also wants to redesign the old cabins. New window treatments, layouts, and furniture.” I pause, and my chin quivers as I try to get the next words out. “I don’t think it’s a good idea I’m here. Remember how I said I have history here?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “Well, he’s still here.”

  Chapter 4

  Tristan

  The meeting did not go as expected. I run my fingers through my hair, tugging on the ends in frustration. I don’t know how I expected it to go. I guess I thought she was going to be excited about my idea. No, I thought she would act like she did ten years ago when I first told her about owning the ranch. I wanted her hazel eyes to light up in excitement, and for her to tell me it’s the most amazing idea she’s heard.

  Fuck.

  My real problem is I’m so caught off guard with her being here. I expected some uppity Boston woman with a flair for design, not the one girl who can bring me to my knees with a simple look. She can’t be here. It’s going to ruin everything. She’s going to ruin me. I can still smell her sweet scent. It’s different than it was last time, her natural scent covered by some perfume. But I can still smell her under it. I remember her essence. It doesn’t make any sense.

  Holden sits in a chair next to me, waiting for me to say something. I want to wring his neck for asking her to stay, but I also don’t want her to stay anywhere else, so I’m grateful he opened his big mouth. When I keep quiet, he dares to speak first. “How’d it go?”

  I glance at him, seeing the shit-eating grin plastered on his face. I roll my eyes and shake my head. “I never thought I’d see her again in a million years. I figured she’d be dating some pompous asshole, planning her wedding by now.” I look out into the driveway, staring at nothing as I contemplate telling him the next part. “I can’t do this, Holden. I can’t have her so close to me and not be able to do a damn thing about it. Why did you ask her to stay?”

  “Tristan, I saw how much this girl ruined you. I know you were trying to do what’s best for her, but it killed you in the process. I hoped that, if she stayed here, the two of you would be able to work things out. It’s fucking ironic if you ask me. You hired a company from Boston, and they sent her.”

  “There’s nothing to work out between us. I did what I was told to do. I don’t need the distraction right now. Things are tough around here, and I need this project to move forward without any hitches. She’s just the designer, nothing more.” I sigh and glance up as an SUV comes up the driveway.

  I wave as Kasey parks the car. She gets out and waves back at me. “Hey, guys. I wanted to get some new pictures of the horses and the land today. The cloud coverage is neat. I think it will make for some good pictures.”

  She reaches into the back seat for her camera bag and unstraps the toddler from her carseat. She bounds over to us, her red curly hair bouncing with each step she takes. Her pink tutu sways around her tiny legs. She doesn’t stop until she slams into me, and I pick her up, blowing a raspberry on her cheek. Her giggles make me smile as I put her on her feet again.

  “Maddie couldn’t wait to see Uncle Tristan and Uncle Holden. She wants to see the horses, too,” Kasey says, smiling at the two of us. “Right, Maddie?”

  The little girl nods her head in excitement. “I wanna ride one, Momma,” she says.

  “When you’re bigger, baby,” she says. Maddie reaches for me again, and I pick her up, holding her on my hip.

  Lana walks in our direction, holding a notebook to her chest, and she stops mid-step when she spots Kasey and me. Her eyes dart to Kasey and Maddie, then back to me. For a second, I see the pain covering her features. It’s like she has it all figured out, but she couldn’t be more wrong. She schools her features and continues on her path to me.

  “Is that the girl from years ago?” Kasey asks in a hushed tone.

  I nod my head, never taking my eyes off Lana.

  She stops in front of me and all but ignores Kasey. She takes a deep breath and plasters a fake smile on her face. “Mr. Ellis, I have some designs I thought you might want to take a look at. Let me know if I’m heading in the same direction as your vision.”

  “I was going to take Kasey and Maddie here into the field to see the horses. Why don’t you come, and you can show me out there?” She looks between the three of us and bites her lip. I forgot how adorable she looks when she does that. Snap out of it. She’s a distraction I can’t afford.

  “No, you’re busy with your family. This can wait a while. Why don’t we schedule some time later today or tomorrow morning to review it?”

  I don’t bother correcting her that Maddie isn’t mine or that Kasey and I aren’t together. “No, it’s fine. Come on. You loved the field when you were here last time, remember?”

  She flinches. From the corner of my eye, I see Holden straighten and clench his fist. Yeah, I’m being an asshole. I need to keep away from her. I need both of us to go our separate ways when this is over. She needs to go back to Boston and find someone who won’t tie her down—literally. Because if I ever get the chance to be with her again, she’s not leaving my side.

  “Oh, Lana, are you joining us?” Mom asks as she steps off the porch.

  She opens her mouth to say something, and Maddie interrupts, reaching out for Mom. “Grammie,” she giggles. Mom scoops her up in her arms and kisses the top of her head.

  Lana hardens her stare at me and stands up tall. She’s not going to turn down my mom’s request. “Sure. I’d like to be able to show Tristan my designs so I can change them if need be and can get out of your hair.”

  “You’re not imposing, dear. We’re happy to have you on the ranch. Tristan hasn’t stopped talking about the fact that you’re here.” Are you kidding me, Mom? She smiles at me and feigns innocence as I stare at her in shock. Shock morphs to anger as soon as Lana speaks.

  “I’m sure he’s just excited about the new designs. I have nothing to do with it.” She smirks and raises her eyebrow at me.

  God, she has no idea how difficult she’s making this. She has no
fucking clue what her being here is doing to me and how much I want to pull her over my knee for saying something so incredibly stupid. I’m fighting my feelings tooth and nail to do what’s best for her, and she has the audacity to think so little of me.

  “Get in the truck, Lana.” I leave no room for discussion as I open the bed of the truck and place Maddie inside. Kasey climbs in after her, and I hold my hand out for Lana. She looks at Kasey and Maddie, who is settled between her mom’s legs. I lean closer, and my lips brush the shell of her ear. My blood pumps fast as I try to contain my excitement from being this close to her. “It will be fun, I promise.”

  She turns her head and narrows her eyes at me. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” She climbs in and sits opposite of Kasey, looking anywhere but at her. Holden jumps in back, and Mom gets into the front with me. I watch Lana in the rearview mirror as she leans into Holden, smiling and laughing with him like they have been friends forever. I’m the outsider, and it fucking sucks.

  Mom is resting under a tree, watching the horses along with a few guests from town. Holden takes Maddie into the field, letting her pick some wildflowers as Kasey sets up her camera. She’s only in town for another few days before she heads home to California.

  Jackson, her husband, will be home from his final tour in the middle east, and they have been talking of moving back home. Kasey wants Maddie to be closer to family, and she wants to be able to help take more pictures to sell at the ranch. I never thought I’d see the day when she wants to give up California.

  Kasey has been good to me. When Lana left, I didn’t want to do anything or see anyone, but she was there helping to pick up the pieces. When Mom got sick, she came home to help out around the ranch. She met Jackson here of all places. Black Stallion Ranch seems to do that for people. Molly even came out to visit Holden once or twice, but Holden sent her on her way, claiming it was best for her. I never thought that one would last anyway.

  I sit beside Lana, pointing out to the horses. “What do you think? Pretty cool, huh?” Holden discreetly stands and walks away, leaving the two of us to talk alone.

  She smiles and nods. “Yeah, it’s cool. How long ago did they come back?”

  “Right around the time Mom got sick. She said it’s a gift from Grandpa.”

  She turns to look at me, her lips turned down into a frown. “What happened? She looks so frail. Holden told me she was sick.” Her voice is quiet as she speaks. I want to take her hand in mine but pull back at the last second. I focus my gaze on Mom, trying to find the words to tell her.

  “Cancer. Took a toll on us and the ranch. She’s a survivor, though. Tough as nails. About five years ago, she was diagnosed. Between doctor’s appointments and hospital stays, the ranch began to suffer. People weren’t coming the way they used to because we had to make cutbacks. I took over, and Holden invested to keep the place running.

  “We’re trying to find ways to bring more money into the place. That’s why we opened the shop, and Kasey takes pictures of the ranch and the horses. I thought more cabins would help so more people could stay for only a night or so. More turnover, but also more revenue.”

  She places her hand on my knee, her eyes fixed on me. “I’m sorry, Tristan. I had no idea it was that bad.” She looks out at Holden and Maddie, then drops her hand from my knee. I miss her soft touch. “Your daughter is cute. She looks like her mom.”

  I grin and shake my head. “She’s not my daughter.” Her head whips in my direction, and I see her confusion. Her face is scrunched, and she opens her mouth to speak, but I stop her. “I didn’t correct you, but she’s not mine. Kasey’s married, and when he’s away, she comes back and visits.”

  “But she called your mom Grammy?”

  “Our families are close, remember?” She nods slowly. “There’s nothing going on with me and Kasey. We’re friends, and that’s it. She’s very happy with her life the way it is.”

  We sit in silence as she ponders what I said. When she finally speaks, it’s the one question I honestly can’t answer. “And are you happy with your life?”

  I think back to the past few years. I had Savannah, and she made me happy during that part of my life, and lately, there have been women that have warmed my bed, but those have all been random fucks. Nothing meaningful. Relationships are too much work. It was easier to get my dick wet when needed, and then send them on their way.

  When Mom got sick, I poured my life into the ranch. Nothing else mattered than making sure Mom was okay and the ranch stayed afloat. When we weren’t at doctor’s appointments, I was figuring out inventory and staying on top of the daily activities. I’d been doing it for so long, it was already second nature. When my parents decided to hand the ranch to me earlier than expected, I took charge, no questions asked.

  “Yeah. I am. I have the ranch and good friends. What else do I need?” I keep my eyes trained on the horizon, watching the horses graze and play in the field.

  “Do you have a girlfriend?” She asks the question quietly, seemingly afraid of the answer I might give her.

  I glance at her, and she’s picking at a blade of grass next to her hip. My eyes travel down the length of her leg, and my dick stirs. I picture her soft curves under me and the pretty moans that used to fall from her lips. I want to reach out and touch her, push her on her back, and press my lips to hers. I want to feel her under me, pressing her hips up to meet mine as I tease her like I used to. It’s torture being this close to her and not being able to do a damn thing about it.

  “No, I’m not seeing anyone.”

  She slowly nods her head, keeping her eyes trained on the grass at her feet, and cocks her lips up into a small smile. I start to ask her the same when Mom stands in front of us.

  “Tristan, I’m ready to head back to the house to lie down. Can you bring me back?” she asks.

  “Sure, Mom. Lana, are you going to stay here? We still need to go over your designs unless you want to review them back at the house.”

  “You’re going to have to come back for everyone else, right?” I nod. “Then, I’ll stay. Come back when you’re done, and I’ll wait for you here.”

  I smile and jump to my feet, already eager to get back. “I’ll be back soon, promise.”

  Her smile fades. “Hopefully, you plan on keeping this one.”

  Chapter 5

  Lana

  Tristan’s smile falters as the words slip past my lips. I always keep my promises. Those five words were uttered to me ten years ago, and I believed him. I believed when he said he didn’t want to hurt me, and I believed him again when he promised I meant something to him. But back then, I was a silly girl. I know better now.

  Okay, I know it was a bitchy thing to say, and seeing the hurt flash across his features makes me feel bad for uttering it, but I could feel myself slipping into the familiarity of him. I wanted to pull his face to mine and kiss his pain away. I wanted to hold him, comfort him when he told me about his mom. Since coming back here, I have felt lighter somehow. It’s like there is some invisible connection between Tristan and me. As soon as he’s driven away, I feel his loss.

  I lean against a tree and watch Maddie run around with Holden. I can’t help the smile that settles on my face. Time seems to stand still here. There isn’t an urgency to get things done or be on the move. Everything is relaxed. Kasey sits next to me and keeps her eyes on her daughter.

  “Lana, right?” she asks.

  “Yeah. Nice to see you, Kasey.” No, it’s not. I hoped I would never in my life ever have to see her again. I only met her once, but that was enough for me. But being an adult now means sometimes you have to put feelings aside and be nice.

  “Listen, I don’t remember everything that happened between us, but I’m sorry. I was extremely immature and jealous over everything back then.” She turns her attention to me, and I study her, pulling my brows together. What’s her angle? “I do remember the day you left, though.” That piques my interest. “He was devastated. He became a
shell of himself. I’ve never seen him like that, and I don’t want to see it again.”

  What is she talking about? He’s the one who told me he didn’t want anything to do with me. He’s the one who sent me away. I would have fought for him, for us. I clear my suddenly dry throat. “He’s the one who chose to end things with me. Not the other way around.”

  She shrugs. “Yeah, I know, but it’s not because he wanted to. He was told to.”

  My heartbeat picks up, and I hear my blood whooshing between my ears. She’s lying. Holden would have said something to me. He wouldn’t have listened to me cry all those times and let me suffer like that, would he? “What are you talking about? Who told him not to?” Why am I even listening to her? She made me feel like I was beneath her while I was here, like I was gum on the bottom of her shoe.

  “There was some guy that was here the same time you were. He threatened Tristan. Tristan did what he thought was going to be the best for you.” She shrugs and raises her arms out in front of her as Maddie tumbles into her lap. She kisses the girl on the top of her head and nuzzles her nose into her.

  I get up and walk over to Holden, who’s watching me like a hawk.

  “Holden, why did Kasey just tell me there was someone who forced Tristan to end things with me?”

  I see his jaw tick, but other than that, he keeps his features neutral. “Because she doesn’t know how to keep her damn mouth shut,” he mumbles.

  “Holden, what happened that day you found me? Who threatened Tristan? What is she talking about?” Is it possible he never wanted to end things with me? Was I actually good enough for him? I can’t stop the tidal wave of emotions threatening to bring me under. All this time, I thought I was just a fuck for him. Not worth his time.