Riding Her Rancher Boss Read online

  Jared stiffened. “Sometimes there’s no other choice. Didn’t you feel like abandoning your photography due to uncertainty?”

  “Plenty of times. But I couldn’t let those I love down or myself. It may seem persistent, but it’s the way I am.”

  Jared nodded curtly. “You know what you want. You had your family supporting you unconditionally without judgment. My father did his best to support me, but he wants me here. My mom doesn’t care either way. It’s hard to overlook that. Seeing your achievement gives me hope he’ll eventually accept my position in New York.”

  Ambiguity clouded his eyes – for his father, or himself?

  Cassie searched his face. He wouldn’t budge. And she knew that not even the concept of settling down in Mountainbrook with her would make him reconsider. His intention to leave was unpalatable to her optimism, but she swallowed it down. “Sorry, I don’t mean to insist. I have no right telling you what I think is best.”

  “No, it’s who you are. You look out for others, want to see them happy. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  He saw her in a way no other man had. She clung to that escalating warmth for him, not wanting to forget how she felt with him and how he perceived her despite her initial trespassing.

  Jared cleared his throat. “Once the right circumstances are in place, I’m leaving. I’ve been waiting for a position to reopen at Brandon and Green Investments and have arranged for someone to contact me.”

  That astounded her. “But it’s been years...”

  “My resignation is temporary. I arranged for someone to hold my position until my return.”

  He was serious. She stared helplessly at him, aware he was stubborn as much as she was. And thinking back to his father’s plea, she wondered if they’d both mistaken Jared’s commitment for passion. She wanted to believe he loved the ranch, the lifestyle, but perhaps she’d been blinded by her own intentions.

  “Then I’m happy for you,” she managed to say.

  He briefly averted his gaze. “Tell me about your sister.”

  A drastic change of topic, but judging from the look in his eyes, he wanted her to concede. It tore at her to realize he wanted to hear about her family life, what he’d lacked. “She’s only two years younger than me. She got a boyfriend soon as she graduated, the job in retail she always wanted, while I struggled.”

  Jared smiled. “Do you two get along?”

  “We did, until she got involved in financial crimes. It broke my parents’ hearts. When Sharon got engaged to Matt, they moved to Spokane. We mended our relationship and she encouraged me to follow her there. It meant giving up my passion, but I figured not everyone’s lucky to do what they love. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.” She hesitated, her eyes burning with unshed tears. “But coming here led to all of this and I’m so grateful to you. More than I can say.”

  Her burgeoning tears weren’t for the culmination of her dream, but the realization she had all she wanted – but not Jared. He’d shown her to embrace life, live in the moment. He’d shown her how to feel, irretrievably. With her heart wide open, it was bound to be broken again. And she no longer feared that. Only the loss of Jared from her life.

  He touched the side of her face, bringing her lips close for a soft kiss. “Then it’s a good thing I was so insistent.”

  “Why were you?”

  “Your mannerisms reminded me of Heidi. She flouted her obligations while working here, flirted with all the ranchers. I still fell for her. She was a childhood friend, a bracing change compared to the women who threw themselves at me in New York. I thought I’d struck it lucky. Until I caught her cheating on me.”

  She flinched, her heart wrenching for him. The worst kind of betrayal and especially painful for him, considering his parents’ unhappy marriage.

  “I went to her room with her favorite flowers and a diamond ring. She was in bed with one of my stable hands. I’d been damn stupid. She’d been seeing him for weeks, the two of them working and sleeping together right under my nose.”

  Her jaw slackened. She leaned into his chest, wishing she could comfort him from the pain.

  “We agreed not to tell the others for the sake of disrupting the work environment. For days I had to tolerate how happy she was with another man. Without me. Her behavior went unpunished. In some way, I couldn’t let yours be the same. The situation brought up emotions I thought I’d resolved.”

  “I’m sorry, Jared.”

  “Don’t be. I thought Heidi was the woman I’d spend my life with. I was just some damn fool on the side while she played around with the man she’s now married to. I couldn’t believe she was that type of person. There were no warning signs. Nothing.”

  Cassie knew how blind love could be. She’d ignored any red flags with Aaron, pushing through with a litany of excuses until they both had to face the truth.

  “I had my heart broken, once. While I worked for my mom at Passionflower, he used to visit every week to buy flowers for his sick grandfather. It was sweet. I got the wrong impression of him. I eventually asked him out, we had some good dates. I was willing to give him everything and he barely returned it.”

  She ran a hand over her face, her stomach churning. “He dumped me after a year on his birthday. Right after I told him I loved him.”

  There was a tender silence.

  Jared shook his head. “If we’d stayed with them, we wouldn’t have found each other here and now. That’s what matters. Not the past. I know I’ve let it dominate me for too long.”

  He kissed her and she fell amongst the sheets. His chest pressed into her, and she felt her heart race, the sensation of his hot skin making her weak.

  His lips captured hers gently, softening to a deep, slow kiss. Jared was surrounding her, his hard cock between her legs, his hands skimming down her body. Talking of the past, sharing their innermost experiences had been painful, but here he was, showing how much he cared.

  She pulled away, running her tongue across her lip. “Jared, I need…”

  “Tell me what you want. I’ll give it to you.”

  There was so much she could say. She hesitated. “Take me hard. Fast.”

  “I’d love to, honey.”

  He eased between her legs and she parted them wide, her pussy throbbing with anticipation. He slid inside easily and she gasped from the fullness, the amazing feeling of having him completely. His hardness made her clench around him, drawing him in further. She was so wet that when he started thrusting, she heard it.

  “Hell, Cassie. So sexy.”

  She tilted her head to kiss him but Jared pulled out. He flipped her over, grasped her waist and raised her up so she was on all fours then slammed into her from behind. She cried out. It was a different angle, different sensation, but so good as he began pounding her. Hard. Fast.

  Grasping the sheets, she murmured his name incoherently. Maybe a bunch of other things. But she couldn’t think straight. Could only feel as he took her, his balls touching her when he went in deep.

  With his body pressed against hers, she felt the tension in his muscles. The strength as he maintained his quick pace. He grabbed her breast, kneading, sending pleasure shooting across her skin. Every part of her was overwhelmed, alive.

  Her orgasm came quickly. She shouted his name, her body weakening. Jared slowed and she felt every movement in her overly sensitive pussy. She took his cock as he pumped her with a few heavy thrusts before his cum filled her. She tightened, wanting to take all of him and more.

  “Jared…”

  “You’re amazing.”

  When she hit the sheets, he was there, holding her close, still inside her. And she could do nothing but surrender to sleep. And him.

  Jared was never far from her mind as she wandered the ranch and snapped photos. Her gaze lingered on the framed portraits proudly displayed on the lone wall in the living room, a personal interlude within a ranch that would soon be open to the public. She smiled at the proud smiles of a younger Jared and his fat
her, taken all over Mountainbrook atop horses. One had his mother, smiling faintly, her blonde hair harshly pinned back.

  There was happiness there, and a proud love Derek showed for his son. Jared couldn’t see it, but after all he’d been through, the disappointment from those he’d loved, she understood him. She loved him for who he was.

  A woman with long black hair appeared beside her, distastefully glaring at the photos before facing her.

  “Hello, Ms. Mills. I recognize you from your blog. I can see reception’s not open right now, but do you know where I can find Jared Weston? It’s important. I’m Diane Wilkins.”

  Cassie grasped her camera, drawing conclusions. “From New York.”

  Diane smiled warmly. “I’ve taken a red eye flight to see Jared. I know he’s here. May I see him?”

  She swallowed. It had to be imperative for her to come so quickly. She couldn’t help but wonder if something had happened between them, and the thought caused a painful stab to her gut. Jared’s meeting with Diane would instigate him to return to New York. Away from his father, the ranch. And her.

  But why did it matter? They weren’t in a relationship. Yet last night, their conversations, every moment with him felt like they’d been getting closer in every way. When he looked at her, she felt a glowing warmth, an abundance of happiness and a consummate passion that had been missing from her life. It was undoubtedly love.

  She met Diane’s gaze. Either way, Diane would ensure a confrontation, with or without her help. Jared must’ve arranged a return to New York and despite her misgivings, she needed him to realize what he’d lose. The ball was in his court.

  “He’s in the stables.”

  Jared patted Ember’s flank, glancing up as soon as he heard someone enter. He expected it to be Cassie and smiled, eager to kiss her again, pin her body to his as he delved into her mouth.

  “I’m busy. Wait outside, I’ll be right there,” he stated, raising his Stetson to see the figure clearly. Recognition jolted through him. Blinking away his shock, he stepped out of the stall and brushed himself down. Diane looked no different than he remembered, slim with perfectly styled dark hair and flattering makeup, but hell, he was surprised she’d turned up this suddenly. He hadn’t made arrangements until after New Year’s.

  He felt himself go taut at her approach. “You’re here.”

  Diane smiled widely. “I heard about Mountainbrook’s renovations. Figured I’d come by and remind you what you’re missing out on.”

  She tilted her hips in a blatant attempt to draw his attention. The reminder silenced the hint of cordial response he had. He no longer felt any attraction toward her.

  He swallowed, remembering how they’d parted ways with a bitter argument over his departure. “I remember. I need time to reconsider.”

  She laughed. “Because of that photographer, right?”

  “Don’t bring Cassie into this.”

  “Fine. I’m sure you’re aware the position of CEO is open. Jack’s retiring to be with his wife. They notified you last week.”

  “I got the message.”

  And he didn’t respond due to his responsibilities with Mountainbrook’s renovations. He couldn’t understand his complacency toward the position he’d harbored and could reclaim again, but the drive he once felt had dissipated. Hell, he didn’t know his former boss had married, relinquishing the position he’d happily taken up for Jared. It was obvious Jack preferred ownership and regretted promoting Jared due to his subsequent success. At the time, Jared felt relieved to leave it all behind, if only briefly.

  Diane pursed her lips. “Actually, it’s been available for several weeks. I applied for the position. When I heard about Mountainbrook, I decided to give you a chance. It’s the least I could do. But you don’t seem enthused.”

  Now he saw through her forced smiles. He understood Diane in a way he hadn’t before – she looked out for herself, first and foremost. He was an afterthought, a convenience, as he’d been for Heidi. Throughout his life, he’d been drawn to the wrong women, perhaps because subconsciously, he believed it’s what he deserved. To be cast aside.

  Cassie had changed all that, made him see his family’s actions from a new perspective. And made him feel. He owed her. Returning to New York would draw him back into the cutthroat business lifestyle where money trumped people, and everyone looked out for themselves. It was a selfishness he’d acquired. Mountainbrook had done more than mend his relationship with his father. It had torn him away from a life that sounded imperative and notable, but felt soulless now.

  He’d clung to his CEO position, wielding it as a trophy, a glimmering distraction from the pain that overshadowed his life as if it was the only good thing to come of it. But now, he had something better.

  It felt like a fog was lifting, and he was hesitant to emerge completely. He met Diane’s cool green eyes, confronting the past with the knowledge he could turn away and no longer feel regret. “Things change.”

  “Not you! This ranch isn’t what you want to do with your life.”

  Was it? Looking back over the years, traversing the pastures had been more fulfilling than analyzing investment predictions. Both involved hard work, but only one made his heart soar. For the first time, he felt free. And he’d been damn stupid not to realize it.

  “My work here has more value.”

  Diane blinked, her smooth features creasing in shock before hardening. “I still live at that condo you like, where we had drinks overlooking the balcony. And that to-die-for view of the Hudson.”

  He’d confided in Diane over conversations laced with glasses of good wine and food. She understood the trials and intricacies working with financial investments, and while he’d taken comfort in that, he’d never sought more from her. They were colleagues, even as he’d entertained the thought it could go further. She had been but one piece of his constructed fantasy life, with the potential for a relationship.

  But that was before Heidi, and the heartbreaking pain of betrayal. Only now had he fully recovered and that was due to Cassie. Her eagerness for life had shown him not to continue enduring indecision.

  “I’m not interested in you, Diane. Sorry.”

  She stepped back as if reeling from a punch, her lips parting. Then she shook her head. “Just as I thought. I can see it’s not only the ranch that’s gotten to you.”

  “It’s not your business.”

  “It used to be.” She jutted her chin defiantly. “And what about New York? If they pass on me, I’d prefer you as CEO than some arrogant stranger.”

  As always, she focused on what benefited herself. He gritted his teeth, knowing he wouldn’t spurn his goal because of her. He had to tread carefully. “It’s on my mind.”

  A smile pulled at her delicate lips. “So people do change. This used to be everything that drove you.”

  While he didn’t want to reclaim his position, he sure as hell didn’t want Diane taking the reins. She couldn’t handle it. “Still is. But if you expect me to leave with you tomorrow, I have business to take care of first. I’ll catch a flight myself.”

  “As long as I see you again. The office isn’t the same without you.”

  Jared tipped his Stetson at her. “Enjoy your stay here.”

  Her smile was thin. “I plan to.”

  He didn’t look at her twice as she walked out of the barn, heels clattering against the concrete. Now alone, he surveyed the stables, conflicted over his future. Determination settled over him. If he chose to stay in Mountainbrook, Cassie was intent on leaving, and he couldn’t ask her to abandon her dreams for him. He had to get his priorities in order, ascertain exactly what he wanted.

  Then he’d make his move.

  Chapter Eleven

  Cassie didn’t intend to eavesdrop.

  But as she passed by one of the occupied rooms on the way to the one she’d been sharing with Jared for the past week, she overheard his voice. Something compelled her to stop, the notion that he’d seemed troubled th
e past few days. He wasn’t as upfront with his feelings, not that she expected him to be, and they weren’t dating, yet she cared for him.

  Enough to risk prying.

  “Look, she’s overstayed for longer than I thought.”

  “You aren’t happy about it?” His father sounded perturbed.

  “Don’t know what to feel other than frustration. I’ll catch you later.”

  Her jaw slackened. Jared felt that uncomfortable around her? Her shock subsided with a flush of anger. If that’s how he wanted it to be, she’d leave. It didn’t stop the aching pang in her chest, the suffocating sensation that the man she’d begun to love couldn’t face being around her.

  The door opened. Jared stepped out and glanced up at her. “My father’s getting prepped.” He paused. “Fuck. You heard me.”

  She folded her arms. “I did. You made it very clear you don’t want me here.”

  “Because what I feel for you is crazy, it’s...”

  “Too much to handle. Tell me I’m wrong.”

  He hesitated, and that was more than enough. God, she couldn’t wait around to hear further excuses equivalent to the words Aaron used. She headed for their room and after shoving the last of her clothes into her bag, she faced the door.

  Jared leaned against the doorjamb. “Cassie, wait.”

  “For what? I know you’d prefer to be in New York. You made that arrangement with Diane. Don’t let me hold you back.” She’d stated the one reminder that they both had acrimonious goals in mind which came between them. It made Jared flinch.

  “Her arrival was unexpected. I made my choice, and it wasn’t because of you.”

  “Right.” She smoothed down her hair, not wanting to dwell on the bitter notion that they’d be separating. “So why do I get you frustrated?”

  “I want you, but going further than that...is a commitment. You wanted to know what I’m afraid of? It’s choosing the woman I want in my life, and after Heidi, I vowed I had to be deeply certain before I committed.”

  She swallowed. “The fact that you’re uncertain is proof enough.”