Stranded with a rich, rugged rancher…

Single mom Alexa Rodriguez’s first child-free vacation in years is supposed to be low-key. But then she meets brooding Texas rancher Hayes Elliott. Heir to an empire and suffering deep emotional pain, he tries to push her away—even as she craves his touch. And when a storm strands them together, their undeniable chemistry explodes. Now Alexa finds herself introducing Hayes to her precious son, imagining herself in Hayes’s world and keeping secrets that could destroy everything…

This was crazy.

She’d just met the man, yet he did something to her that she couldn’t quite put into words. Granted right now she was having a difficult time with any coherent thought other than “take your shirt off, cowboy.”

He took a step closer, never looking away from her eyes, her mouth. “Your clothes are all wet again.”

“They’re your clothes,” she countered.

The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Yours are dry now if you want to change.”

She pulled in a deep breath, her breasts brushing against his chest. Had he closed the distance so tight or had she stepped forward? She’d been so mesmerized by his voice, his predatory gaze.

“Are you changing?” she asked.

Hayes reached behind his back and jerked the wet shirt up and over his head, tossing it onto the wood porch with a heavy smack. Ink covered his chest and up one shoulder. Dark hair glistened all over his pecs.

“You’re not playing fair,” she told him.

“Who said I was playing?”

He thrust his hands into her hair and covered her mouth before she could take a breath.

* * *

Taming the Texan

is part of Harlequin Desire’s #1 bestselling

series, Billionaires and Babies: Powerful men…

wrapped around their babies’ little fingers.

Taming the Texan

Jules Bennett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

National bestselling author JULES BENNETT has penned over forty contemporary romance novels. She lives in the Midwest with her high-school-sweetheart husband and their two kids. Jules can often be found on Twitter chatting with readers, and you can also connect with her via her website, www.julesbennett.com.

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This book is for anyone who suffers from PTSD,

depression, anxiety…please know you’re not alone.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

One

“What are you doing here, Ma’am?”

Alexa Rodriguez spun around, her hand to her heart. The low, gravelly voice had shocked her, but not as much as seeing the man strut toward her.

Well, he had a cowboy swagger with a slight limp, so she wouldn’t quite call it a strut. Regardless of the label, the man held her attention and there was nowhere to go...not when she was pinned in place by that dark-as-night stare.

When she first stepped into the impressive stables on Pebblebrook Ranch, she hadn’t seen a soul. And now this sexy cowboy stood only feet away, staring at her from beneath the wide brim of his black hat. Her heart shouldn’t be beating so fast, so hard. But...yeah, he was one sexy stable hand.

Was she trespassing? The owner of the bed-and-breakfast next door had told Alexa the stables were open to B and B guests, but maybe there was some disconnect because this man did not look happy to have a visitor.

“I’m a guest next door,” she explained as she tried to keep eye contact and not fidget. “I was told I could come ride and that someone would be here to assist me.”

The stable hand grunted, but never took his eyes off her. Well, this was awkward.

Stepping out of her comfort zone was the theme of the weekend. Her meddling yet well-meaning best friend had bought Alexa a package for a three-night stay at the B and B, stating Alexa was an overworked single mom who deserved some alone time.

Alexa had just registered next door and put her bag in her room when she decided to check out the outdoor amenities before the predicted storm moved in. She hadn’t been on a horse since she was five. Yeah, she was so far outside her comfort zone she didn’t even know where comfort was anymore.

But if the horse came equipped with a captivating cowboy, maybe doing something different wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Her best friend would definitely be thrilled Alexa was showing signs of life in the lust department, that was for sure.

This stable hand had sultry written all over him, from the dusty boots to the fitted denim over narrow hips to the black hat. And the way he drawled out the word ma’am had her stomach tingling.

Clearly, it had been too long since she’d had interaction with someone outside her preschool special education classroom and her fourteen-month-old son.

“You ever ridden before?” he finally asked.

“Once,” she admitted, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “I was five and at a cousin’s birthday party.”

He took a step closer, minimizing the gap between them, and all the breath in Alexa’s lungs seemed to vanish. How could one man be so striking, so bold? The deep eyes with long, dark lashes and a stubbled jaw outlining the most perfectly shaped lips...and that was all just his face.

Broad shoulders stretched his button-up black shirt in the most glorious way, one that had her imagining what excellent muscle tone he must have beneath the fabric. Those lean hips covered with well-worn denim could make any woman beg...but not her. She’d sworn off men who made her tingle—they were nothing but a hindrance in the life she’d carved out for her and her son.

And this man? He looked like pure trouble. The kind of trouble that could make a woman forget all common sense, the kind that would have a woman crying out his name over and over, the kind—

No. Her days of flirting or dating or anything else with a man were over—at least until her son got older and she could focus on her own life. For now, Mason was her everything and all that mattered.

Still, that didn’t mean she couldn’t look and appreciate...and there was so much to appreciate with this cowboy.

“Do you work here?” She had to assume so, but now she wondered if he was a guest, too.

He held out his hand. “Hayes Elliott.”

Elliott. She wasn’t just ogling any stable hand or random guest. Hayes was the elusive, mysterious war-veteran Elliott brother. Living in Stone River, she’d heard rumors about how he never left the ranch and the term PTSD had circulated nearly every time she’d heard his name.

Also what had cropped up along with his name was how he’d saved several children in a small village overseas and then been left severely injured, and how some of his friends had died in the same battle.

Something like that alone would make waves across a small town like Stone River, but couple the rumors with the fact that Hayes was a member of the prestigious Elliott family, well...it was difficult not to have gossip.

So where were his employees? A spread this large surely had several workers so the owners didn’t have to lift a finger. She knew the Elliott brothers were gearing up to open a dude ranch on their five-thousand-acre spread. What she didn’t know was why this brother, the sibling scarcely seen since he’d returned home, was the only one around.

“Alexa Rodriguez.”

She gripped his hand and, though it was cliché, she felt... Well, she felt legitimate sparks. Sparks she hadn’t experienced for years, and never at just the simple touch of a man’s hand. How did that even happen?

“You’re staying at my sister-in-law’s bed-and-breakfast?” he asked, still holding on to her hand and looking her over.

Alexa nodded, impressed that he knew the goings-on of the B and B—but even more impressed at how her entire body responded to a handshake and a heavy-lidded stare. “I arrived this morning and thought I’d venture out before the storm.”

And because she missed Mason. Alexa had already texted Sadie three times and requested a picture of him.

“My sister-in-law has the best B and B in Texas.”

The low tone combined with a dimple that appeared when he spoke drew her attention to his mouth...a place she should not be looking. Granted, the rest of him was just as impressive. So where was a girl supposed to look when presented with such an intriguing man? Even his dusty boots were intriguing. They instantly sparked fantasies of him doing manual labor around the ranch...shirtless, to show off those sweaty, tanned muscles.

“The stable hands are all gone for the day. How long will you be staying next door?”

Well, that pulled her right from her glorious daydream.

“I’m here through the weekend,” she replied, nerves swirling through her belly. “I, um... I didn’t know they were gone, and I wanted to check things out before the weather turned. Sorry if I disturbed you.”

The horse behind her stomped its foot as if protesting. She sort of felt like doing the same. She’d talked herself into taking a ride even though she wasn’t completely comfortable, because she wanted to do something for herself and she didn’t want to feel guilty about her friend paying for this getaway.

When Hayes continued to stare at her without a word, she got the impression he didn’t want to be having this conversation any more than she did at this point. He obviously hadn’t expected to find someone in his stable, especially when he thought his workers were gone.

The awkward silence had her offering a feeble smile before she turned. No need to stay where she obviously wasn’t wanted.

“Wait.” Hayes muttered a curse beneath his breath that had her cringing. “I’ll take you out if you really want to go.”

Alexa fisted her hands at her sides and pulled in a deep breath. Hayes’s boots shuffled behind her as the horses shifted in their stalls. It was almost as if they were waiting for her answer.

“Listen.” She turned, but stopped short when she realized he’d moved in closer than she expected. “I don’t want to put you out.”

There went that stare again, the one that held her in place and made her wonder what he was thinking...because the way he looked at her seemed an awful lot like—No, it couldn’t be.

Why would someone like Hayes Elliott look at her with desire? He was a sexy cowboy, a war hero, a wealthy rancher and she was, well...just a single mom and schoolteacher.

“I came to take a ride now that everyone is gone,” he explained. “Might as well take you.”

Didn’t that sound like a lovely invitation? All warm and sincere and wrapped in Southern hospitality.

“That’s okay,” she replied. “It’s obvious you want to be alone.”

She turned to go again, more than ready to get out of here. So far her vacation consisted of irritating a grouchy cowboy. The weekend could only get better from here...right?

“Damn it. Don’t go.”

Alexa laughed and spun back around. “It’s fine. Really.”

“No. I’m just not used to dealing with guests. It’s supposed to rain later and over the next two days.” He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. “You’re here now. Let’s do this.”

Let’s get this over with.

The unspoken words hovered in the air between them. Fine. She wanted to ride and he was here. It wasn’t her fault he was the only one left or that he was angry.

The sulking, sultry cowboy continued to stare at her from beneath that Stetson and another jolt of lust shot through her.

Who knew a cranky rancher would be the one to get her heart beating again? She’d been pretty emotionally stagnant since becoming a widow two years ago, just before discovering she was pregnant. Grief and motherhood could do that.

“You’ll ride Jumper.”

Hayes’s words pulled her to the present before she could dive too far into the dark time of her life. Alexa took a step back and held up her hands.

“Maybe you missed the part where I hadn’t ridden since I was five. I think I’d rather have a horse with a name like Buttercup or Princess.”

Hayes reached just past her, causing Alexa to freeze in place. His arm brushed against her shoulder and Alexa attempted to act calm. But that smell, that purely masculine aftershave, enveloped her. For a half second she breathed in deep and cursed herself for the instant carnal thoughts that flooded her mind.

“Jumper is our newest mare and she’s a sweetheart,” Hayes explained, oblivious to Alexa’s inner turmoil. “We’re getting her used to riding long distances and she’ll be perfect for you. Don’t be fooled by her name.”

Alexa took a step to the side to get away from his casual touch. When she focused on the horse instead of the man, Alexa noticed a gorgeous chestnut mare with a white star on her nose.

“She’s my favorite girl.” He rubbed the side of her face and murmured something to her. “I got her specifically for new riders and children at the dude ranch because she’s so gentle.”

“You’ll stick close?” she asked as she came to stand beside him. “I mean, I literally have no experience.”

Hayes eyed her from beneath the large black rim of his hat. “No experience, huh?”

He raked that heavy-lidded gaze over her and he might as well have touched her bare skin. There wasn’t a place on her that wasn’t tingling. She’d met the man only five minutes ago and he’d managed to awaken something in her that had been dead for two years.

“You’re in luck.” He brought those dark eyes back up to hers. “I’m very...experienced.”

Okay, they were definitely not talking horses anymore. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind this man was much more worldly than she’d ever thought of being. If she had to guess, she’d put him in his midthirties, nearly a decade older than her own twenty-five.

“And I’ll definitely stick close,” he promised.

The ride hadn’t even started and Alexa was already wondering if she was getting in over her head.

* * *

What the hell was he thinking?

He shouldn’t be offering rides to or flirting with a total stranger. He’d come down to the stables to be alone, to ride his brother’s stallion. Being back on the ranch was supposed to help him return to some semblance of the life he’d had before he’d been gutted by experiencing things no one should ever be subjected to.

But the second he’d hinted that she’d have to come back later for a stable hand to take her on a trail ride, a burst of jealousy speared him. The feeling had caught him off guard. He didn’t want to feel, didn’t want to allow himself any happiness. He’d been through hell and was just trying to survive each day and uphold his promise to his brothers and his ailing father. They had a dude ranch to get up and running and Hayes had a home to renovate.

Hayes had been back home a few months and he was not looking forward to getting involved with anyone right now...if ever. So no matter how mesmerizing Alexa’s brown eyes were, no matter how she seemed to be a little sad and vulnerable, sparking that fierce protective instinct inside of him...he simply couldn’t act on this unwanted chemistry.

He saw how she looked at him; he wasn’t a fool. She was young; she was attracted. He was only going to show her a portion of the ranch, bring her back, and send her on her way. That would be the end of things. Her attraction had no place here...and neither did his.

He carried too much baggage, had too much to sort through within himself before he could think of trying anything with a woman again. Hell, he barely left the ranch, let alone attempted to be social and date.

Taking a beautiful woman out for a ride didn’t have to be anything more than just that. Once she was gone, he could ride alone like he’d originally intended. Adjusting to civilian life was more difficult than he’d believed possible and riding alone was the only thing that cleared his mind.

PTSD was nothing to mess with, and he needed space. Perhaps a little one-on-one time with a total stranger wouldn’t be such a bad thing. With Alexa, there would be no need for him to talk about himself. He didn’t have to put on a front like he often did with his brothers. He could talk up the dude ranch with Alexa, which was a welcome distraction in his life. This family project might be the only thing keeping him from going out of his mind and giving in to the demons that had followed him home.

“I’ll get her ready and we’ll go,” he told Alexa.

Alexa. Such a beautiful name for a woman with such striking features. He’d only heard the name one other time, long ago. His high school buddy had dated and married someone named Alexa. Hayes had to force himself to stop staring because she was the type of woman a man could get lost in.

All that long midnight hair, her dark skin tone and those wide, chocolate eyes. Her curves were damn near hypnotic in those jeans and fitted tank. Yeah, she would turn any man’s head and he was no exception.

Years of military training had enabled him to mask his emotions—something that would come in handy on a trail ride with this beauty. The sooner he could get this ride over with, the better.

Hayes saddled up Jumper and Doc, his brother’s stallion. Nolan had been working overtime at the hospital, so Hayes had offered to get Nolan’s horse out for exercise.

“Right this way, Ma’am.”

If he didn’t refer to her by her name, maybe he could keep this little escapade impersonal...exactly the way he wanted to live his life. Detached.

Hayes took the reins and led the horses from the stable. Alexa fell in step beside him. The subtle aroma of jasmine tickled his senses. His instincts hadn’t failed him in all his years overseas, and he was positive he had Alexa pegged as someone who wasn’t taking time away because she necessarily wanted to. Something about her reserved nature and an underlying hint of fear made him all the more determined to make this ride to be enjoyable and memorable for her.

After all, wasn’t Pebblebrook using Annabelle’s B and B as a way to spread the word for the dude ranch? By the time they were ready to open, they would not only have her guests already talking, they’d also have hired the best PR firm in the country. This dude ranch was a goal of their father’s and Hayes wasn’t about to let that man down.

“You live on the ranch?” she asked as they stepped out into the bright June sunshine.

“I do.” That was the easy answer. The ranch was now in its third generation of Elliotts, and Hayes wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. He owned two other homes: one in the mountains of Montana and a tropical getaway in the secluded part of the main island of Hawaii. He had options, but the ranch was where he’d come to heal, to find that piece of himself that had been damaged...possibly destroyed for good.

“There are several homes on the ranch,” he continued. “My brother Colt and his wife, Annabelle, live in the first house you see as you come up the drive. Nolan and his wife live in the back on the east side, and I live in the original Elliott homestead back on the west corner. It’s set between the river and the brook running through the ranch.”

He loved not only owning that piece of history from his family, but having the privacy he so desperately craved right now. His brothers respected the fact that he needed his space.

“Sounds like quite a family,” she stated. She wrung her hands as she glanced back to Jumper. “Are you sure the horse is safe for me? Does she know I’m nervous?”

Hayes looped Doc’s reins around the post and moved to Jumper’s side, right by Alexa. “You’re not nervous. You’re anxious. There’s a difference.”

Alexa smiled, a simple gesture that packed a punch of lust straight to his gut. Damn it, he didn’t want a punch of any kind. Couldn’t he just enjoy the company of a beautiful woman without lust entering into the picture? He wanted this ride to be simple, but the stirring in his body was anything but.

Someone should’ve notified Annabelle not to send any guests up today because the stable hands had all gone with Colt to the auction for more steers, leaving Hayes in charge. Not a position he’d wanted to be in.

Despite all the pain and anguish and betrayal he’d been through, something about Alexa made him want to get closer. Perhaps it was all those curves packed into such a petite frame, maybe it was those striking eyes that seemed to look deeper than just the surface, or perhaps it was that underlying vulnerability that made his inner protector surge to the forefront. Regardless, he knew this ride wasn’t going to be quick and painless like he’d first intended.

“At any time, we can turn back,” he stated, hoping that would give him the out he desperately wanted.

Alexa nodded. “I’m ready. Just tell me what to do so I don’t hurt or scare her.”

“Grab the pommel and hook your left foot into the stirrup.”

She followed his command and, before he even realized what he was doing, he’d stepped in behind her and circled her waist with his hands. Alexa stilled beneath his touch. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, her eyes met his.

“I’m helping you up.” He left no room for argument because, while he might not have thought about his actions at first, now that he had his hands on her, he was in no hurry to let go. “Relax,” he murmured.

Her eyes darted to his mouth—as if he needed another reason to feel that pull of sexual tension. Those dark lashes framed striking eyes and all of that rich black hair slid over her shoulders, the tips brushing against the backs of his hands. An image of all of that hair sliding over his body came to mind and Hayes knew in that instant he was fighting a losing battle.

He wanted this woman, the first woman he’d wanted since his return. And he planned to have her... To hell with all the reasons this ride was a bad idea. He’d just figured out the reason this was the best idea he’d had in months.

Two

This was not a good idea. Nope, nope, nope. As if the horse agreed with her, each nope in her mind fell in tandem with each stomp of a hoof.

Alexa wished she could just ignore the zing shooting through her, but how could she? This man was the first to strike any type of spark or interest in so long... There was no ignoring the emotions.

She’d done well to mask her feelings for years, but there was no way she could lie to herself right now. Hayes Elliott was one sexy cowboy, and he had the brooding, broad-shoulder thing down to perfection. And those jeans? Yeah, they fit gloriously over lean hips that produced the sexiest swagger she’d ever seen. Even with the minor limp, Hayes was intriguing and every part of her wanted to know more.

Down, girl. Alexa hadn’t come on this little getaway to find some cowboy. Though Hayes Elliott would no doubt fuel her fantasies for a good long time.

Alexa’s horse stayed alongside his. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time they’d been out together. Her hips rocked back and forth in the saddle with the motion of Jumper’s easy gait. Alexa didn’t even want to glance over to see what Hayes’s hips were doing. Her eyes needed to stay straight ahead.

The picturesque ranch was breathtaking. White fencing ran as far as the eye could see. The rolling hills were dotted with cattle in the distance. With the bright sun beating down on the land, Alexa found it hard to believe a storm would be rolling in soon.

She wanted to focus on enjoying the ride, but on occasion Hayes’s thigh would brush against hers and those tingles would start up all over again.

Good grief. She’d met the man only moments ago and already he held such power over her... How was that even possible?

Maybe she’d been too enveloped in her classroom and her son. Alexa needed to venture out more, as Sadie had said when she’d insisted Alexa take this vacation, but in her normal life...well, where would she go? It wasn’t as if she had guys asking her out or a large group of friends she went out with. She had Sadie, who taught in the class next to hers. They’d met in college and had been friends since. And she had Mason.

Alexa was fine being a single mother with not much of a social life. Her job right now was to be both mother and father to Mason, so anything else would have to wait. And that was more than okay. She had one guy in her life and he was more than enough.

“How long has this land been in your family?” she asked, desperate for a topic that would get her mind off the rugged, moody man and slice through the tension between them.

“My brothers and I are third-generation ranchers at Pebblebrook. My grandfather built the house that I live in.”

So he had mentioned before. “How many acres are there?”

“Over five thousand.”

Alexa had read that in the pamphlet for the B and B, which advertised the upcoming dude ranch. She’d asked because the last thing she wanted was silence. That would only be awkward and cause her daydreaming to start all over again.

Alexa couldn’t even imagine trying to keep up with all this land and the livestock, but of course the Elliotts had the funds to hire people to do all the maintenance and grunt work.

Her world consisted of wrangling four-year-olds all day and coming home to a rambunctious baby boy. Her life was quite different from the Elliotts’ ranch lifestyle. Part of her was proud of herself for taking this break Sadie had insisted and paid for. The other part of her wondered if Mason had enjoyed his morning snack of blueberries and bananas.

Maybe she should stop to call and check in.

“That’s the first barn my grandfather built on this land.”

Hayes cut into her thoughts with the history of the ranch. Up ahead, Alexa spotted a small barn, definitely old in comparison to the massive stone-and-metal structure at the beginning of the property. The Elliotts might be billionaires, but she could see the way they’d grown this estate from something small into something grand.

“You doin’ all right?” Even with the concerned question, Hayes had that low, gruff tone.

“Fine,” she replied.

“Want to explore more?”

Or turn back.

Alexa wasn’t quite ready to head back, but at the same time she knew he didn’t want to be out here with her. He probably preferred privacy.

“I could stay out here forever,” she replied, finding it to be true. “But I don’t want to keep you.”

He grunted, whatever that meant.

“Was that a reply?” she asked as she glanced over to him. It was nearly impossible to see his face in the shadow from his hat’s wide brim.

“I’ve got nothing,” he replied, sounding way too lost, too broken.

Alexa glanced at his hands on the reins. Scars randomly crossed over his taut knuckles. Those large, tanned hands no doubt had done so much. He was a soldier, a rancher. Everything about him screamed alpha and loner. For some insane reason, she found that attractive. She chalked it up to the fact that she always looked out for those in need, not that she found him irresistibly sexy.

Hayes was the exact opposite of her late husband. Before Scott had passed away, they’d been so in love and ready to spend the rest of their lives together. He was safe, made her feel safe. She hadn’t felt that way since he’d died of heart disease. The doctors had tried to comfort her by telling her there was no way they could have known he’d been born with the defect that had ultimately taken his life.

She hadn’t been able to save him. Not that she was a medical professional, but she had survivor’s guilt. There was no way to dodge it. And finding out she was pregnant only a week after she’d lost him had only added to the guilt.

Alexa was familiar with the emotion, even before Scott died. She had been only eight when her sister drowned while they were swimming. On their family vacation to the beach, they’d both gone out too far. A riptide pulled her sister out and it was all her father could do to save Alexa from being swept under as well. Years of remorse and counseling had held her family together.

So Alexa recognized the brokenness Hayes displayed.

Alexa gripped her reins and enjoyed the steady trot. They were going a bit faster than before and she figured Hayes had urged his horse to speed up and hers had followed suit. Someone like Hayes wouldn’t ask permission first, but he kept glancing her way to check on her.

“So you’re the only one around today?” she asked, needing to break up the thoughts swirling around in her head about the sexy man brushing his thigh against hers.

“There are a few workers milling about,” he replied. “I just happened to be the only one in the stables.”

“But you weren’t working.”

He threw her a glance and adjusted his hat. “I’d just gotten done at my house and decided to take a break and ride.”

So he had been planning on going out alone. “You could’ve told me to come back later.”

“I could’ve, but as you said, there’s a storm coming in later. You would’ve thought I was a jerk.”

Alexa couldn’t help but laugh. “You wouldn’t have felt bad for sending me away?”

Hayes shrugged and turned his horse slightly. Alexa followed. “I don’t have feelings anymore, but this is my family’s ranch and I know how hard they’ve worked.”

“So it’s about respect, then.” When he remained silent, she went on. “Whatever it is, I apologize for taking you away from your personal time and I appreciate you showing me the grounds.”

As they continued toward the back of the property, the sky darkened slightly and thick clouds rolled in. Texas weather was crazy; pop up showers and storms were the norm. She didn’t think it was supposed to do much until later this afternoon.

If it was stormy over the next few days, as predicted, she could lounge in that oversize garden tub in her suite back at the B and B. The moment she’d stepped foot in the house she could tell no expense had been spared. The beauty of the house and her bathroom—hello, heated floors—made her want to move in and bring Mason with her.

The first fat raindrop landed on her nose. Then, before they could find shelter, the skies opened up and Hayes cursed. The next thing she knew, he’d plunked his cowboy hat on top of her head. The gesture shouldn’t have touched her, but beneath his gruff exterior and grunting dialogue, he had a big heart. The fact that he was a true gentleman warmed something deep inside her, something that hadn’t warmed in quite a while.

“Storm came sooner than I thought,” he called over the sound of the pouring rain. “Follow me.”

He and Doc took the lead and started trotting faster. Alexa gripped her reins tighter and kept up, her bottom bouncing in the saddle as the rain continued to soak through her clothes. She wasn’t comfortable with the faster speed, but all she could do was hold on for the ride and pray they weren’t going far.

They rode another few minutes and Alexa was starting to wonder where they were heading. Then, up ahead, she saw an old two-story farmhouse. Hayes’s house. She didn’t have to ask—she knew. It was just as she’d imagined an old farmhouse should look.

The white home with black shutters had a first and second-story porch and a pitched gable right in the center of the roofline. So adorable, and much different from the grand home his brother lived in on the other side of the property. This house seemed simpler, tucked in the back of the ranch as if protected.

Is that why Hayes chose to live here? So he could be away from everything and remain safe? The man might scream badass, but even after their short acquaintance she could tell he was on guard at all times. Just how deep did his pain run?

Beneath the brim of the borrowed hat, Alexa took in the beauty of the house...even through the raindrops. The brook ran alongside the home and the river flowed behind it. The house and a barn were nestled up on the hilly part of the land.

Hayes rode straight to the small barn at the side of the house. As the showers continued to pummel them, she followed and before she could hop down, he was at her side. His hand landed on her thigh, doing nothing to help with those tremors she’d been experiencing since meeting Mr. Elliott.

That hand slid up to her waist as she swung one leg over and dismounted. The brim of the hat bumped against him and fell off her head to land at her feet. His hands remained on her hips to steady her and Alexa gripped his biceps...and those muscles were just as impressive as she’d thought they’d be.

His eyes darted to her lips and Alexa didn’t care about the rain anymore. She didn’t care if snowflakes started falling from the sky or a tornado ripped through. She wanted to stay just like this—it wasn’t like she could get any more soaked—and have Hayes look at her like he desired her.

Oh, this was lust at its finest, but it had been so long since anyone had looked at her lips, she didn’t care. Lust was a welcome emotion at this point. After two years of nothing, the idea that someone might find her attractive was quite the turn-on. The defined, taut body beneath her fingertips didn’t hurt, either.

The muscle clenched in his jaw beneath that dark stubble. “Get up on the porch.”

The angry tone left her wondering just what, or who, he was upset with. The fact they got caught in the rain or the fact that he clearly wanted to kiss her and opted to have restraint?

“Tell me what to do.” She reached for the horse’s reins. “In the barn?”

He shook his head and swiped his hat off the ground before striding back to his horse. Hayes led them into the barn and secured each horse in their own stall.

“Hopefully the rain will pass soon.” He didn’t even look at her as he closed the stall doors. “The bigger storm wasn’t forecast until much later. You can wait here or go onto the porch.”

A rumble of thunder had her wondering just how quickly this would pass.

Hayes jerked his gaze toward the opening of the stable at the storm’s approach. She hadn’t taken him for someone who was afraid of storms. Pop-ups weren’t uncommon in Stone River, but since it was supposed to rain all weekend, she wondered if the storm had already begun. They might just have to ride back in the rain.

“We can go back,” she told him. “I mean, it’s not like I’m going to get any wetter. Or I can ride back alone. I know the way.”

Hayes turned to focus on her now, and man did those dark eyes focus. He raked his gaze over her like he was one leap away from pouncing. Alexa’s skin heated just the same as if he’d touched her with his hands.

Mercy sakes, she’d known the man maybe an hour. Clearly, she needed to get out more if the first good-looking rancher made her want to sit up and beg.

“When you go back, you won’t be going alone,” he told her. “We’ll wait. It’s a downpour and a long ride back.”

The showers beat down on the old metal roof and there was something calming, refreshing about being out here without a care in the—

“Oh no.” Alexa cringed. “My cell phone.”

She patted the pocket where she’d stored it, but her pants were wet. She only hoped her cell had survived. She couldn’t be cut off from contact with her son. This was her first trip away. She needed to cling to texts and video chats.

“Texts to your boyfriend can wait.”

Alexa squared her shoulders and swiped her damp hair away from her face. “That wasn’t subtle, if you were asking if I was single.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

Yet that gaze never wavered from hers and those heavy lids said otherwise. Hayes might not want to be attracted to her, but he was and he was none too happy about it.

“Sure you were,” she countered. “You keep looking at my mouth and wondering what it would be like to kiss me, so don’t pretend you didn’t want to know if I’m taken.”

There went the old Alexa again. Scott had always told her she was bold. She’d always said what was on her mind, because...why play games? But since his death, she’d been quieter, more reserved.

Apparently the moody cowboy brought out the best in her.

“You’re an attractive woman,” he replied. It shocked her that he was just as blunt. “I’m a guy. But don’t worry, sweetheart. Your lips are safe from mine.”

Cocky cabron. Like she’d asked for a kiss?

Alexa spun away and jogged through the rain to the safety of the back porch. The old swing swayed in the wind as another rumble of thunder rolled through. She crossed the porch and took a seat. Pulling her hair over her shoulder, she squeezed out the excess water.

Glancing back to the barn, Alexa saw Hayes standing in the opening, hands on his hips, black hair plastered to his head from the rain. He stared across the yard at her as if trying to decipher his next move.

Well, he could think all he wanted, but she was staying right here until it was time to roll out...or whatever lingo ranchers used. Wagons ho?

As if she didn’t have a care in the world, Alexa used the toe of her boot to push off the concrete. Even though she was completely soaked through, she sat on Hayes’s porch swaying back and forth as if this were a sunny summer day and she was sipping a cold glass of Southern sweet tea. As if this were her own home... If she really stretched her imagination, she could picture Mason toddling around in the grass, splashing in the puddles.

Wait. She needn’t get swept away in her own dreams. Fantasizing about a sexy cowboy was one thing, but imagining herself here with her son was flat-out dangerous.

Just because she’d been saving for a home of her own with a yard for Mason didn’t mean she should picture him here. This was Elliott property. This was Hayes’s property. To be here with Mason would mean an emotional investment she wasn’t ready to make.

Hayes started across the yard, favoring his left side, walking as casually as you please, as if he weren’t getting pelted by rain. Oh, that control he managed to cling to was so maddening, even more so because she didn’t seem to have any of her own at the moment.

The entire time he closed the distance between them, he had those dark eyes fixed on her.

Alexa swallowed and attempted to give herself a mental pep talk on not getting tangled up with this frustrating, captivating cowboy. But the closer he got, the more her nerves danced around in her belly.

She had a feeling her interesting day had just gotten started.

Three

Being drenched did absolutely nothing to get his mind back on track. Granted, his life in general hadn’t been in the right place since he’d signed up for the Army at eighteen.

How the hell had this simple trail ride turned into Miss Alexa, of the swinging hips and sultry midnight eyes, nestled on his porch swing? Since when did he ever let anyone else take control of his life?

Oh, yeah. Ever since his former fiancée betrayed him with their commanding officer while he was fighting for his country, seeing things no man or woman should ever have to see. Clearly, he hadn’t had control over that situation.

Hayes stepped up onto the porch and leaned against the post. “You might as well come inside,” he told her. “This doesn’t look like it will pass anytime soon, after all.”

She braced her feet to stop the swaying swing. “I’m soaking wet. I don’t need to go in. I’m quite happy swinging and watching the storm. With those dark clouds, I bet it will be a doozy.”

Hayes sighed. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re drenched and I can at least offer dry clothes and put yours in the dryer.”

“Oh, don’t be so cliché,” she told him as she came to her feet. “Wearing your clothes during a storm? Next, you’ll find some way that we need to share body heat by wearing nothing.”

Hayes had actually thought of that, but he wasn’t about to mention it now. She clearly had a low opinion of his intentions.

He forced himself not to stare at the way her jeans and her tank molded to every single dip and flare of her curves. A gorgeous woman with a killer body...it was like fate was seriously testing him. He wasn’t in the mood to be tempted and he sure as hell wasn’t in the mood for games.

“I’m going inside to change, you can come or you can stay out here and be wet. I don’t give a damn.” He crossed to the screen door and jerked on the handle. “And offering you clothes in a storm isn’t cliché. It’s called manners.”

He stepped inside and eased the squeaking screen door shut without slamming it. The old linoleum in the entry hadn’t been replaced in decades, so he wasn’t too concerned about dripping in here.

Hayes headed toward the utility room off the kitchen. There was laundry in there he needed to put away, so he knew he’d find something for himself and he could throw his things in the dryer.

The loud bang behind him had Hayes crouched down in an instant, his hands coming up to shield his head. But within two seconds he realized he was home, not in battle, and the slam came from the back door.

Slowly rising to his feet, he glanced over his shoulder to find Alexa staring down at him, her eyes wide with worry.

Damn it. He didn’t want pity or empathy. Hell, he didn’t want company, but that wasn’t an option right now. Couldn’t he ever fight these demons alone without witnesses? His brothers knew to keep their distance, and he’d come out of his house when he was having a good day...which happened to be earlier today, but now he was ready for privacy.

His heart still beat rapidly in his chest, he continued to stare at Alexa, silently daring her to apologize.

“I—I didn’t know that would trigger something,” she murmured. “What can I do?”

Clenching his fists at his sides, he willed his mind to chill out and stay focused on the fact that he was safe here on Pebblebrook.

Well, as safe as he could be with a soaking wet woman standing in his kitchen. She’d asked what she could do. That in and of itself was rather amazing.

He was so tired of everyone asking if he was okay. Hell no, he wasn’t okay. Jumping at a door was not normal. Flipping out at the roll of thunder was damn embarrassing. He never knew what would set him off until it happened, so there was no way to prepare.

Well, except the screen door. He’d let it go once and it had slammed at his back and he’d flattened himself on the floor for several minutes before he came back to reality. He’d only made that mistake once, but he hadn’t thought it would be an issue again because it wasn’t like he had regular visitors.

“You want a change of clothes or not?” Hayes asked, ignoring her question.

He tugged at the hem of his soaked shirt and peeled it up and over his head. Clutching the wet material in his hand, he turned his attention back to Alexa.

Her eyes were fixed on his chest, no doubt zeroing in on the scars. Definitely not a story he wanted to get in to, but he wasn’t ashamed of fighting for his country. He was only ashamed he’d been fool enough not to see the betrayal going on behind his back. But even that pain paled in comparison to the horrific scene in that tiny village where he’d been able to save the women and children, but not his brothers-in-arms.

“If you have a spare shirt, that would be great,” she finally told him.

“What about your jeans?” He knew his were irritating him already.

“I don’t wear your size.”

Her instant sarcasm had him almost ready to crack a smile. Snarky comments were a staple in the lives of the Elliott brothers, so it was nice to talk to someone who wasn’t coddling him. She’d asked what she could do to help, and not pushing the issue was going a long way.

“I’m a foot taller than you,” he agreed. “But I’m sure I have sweats that you could fold up while you’re waiting on your jeans to dry. Your call.”

She propped her hands on her hips and tilted her head. “Do I get privacy or are we both changing in the middle of your kitchen?”

“Are you always so blunt?”

She shrugged, dropping her hands to her sides. “You bring out my sunny side.”

Hayes shook his head and moved into the laundry room. He quickly found a gray T-shirt and a pair of navy sweatpants. Clutching the clothes, he came back into the kitchen.

“There’s a half bath right through there,” he said, pointing to the hallway that led to the front of the house. “You can change and bring me your wet things after.”

As she stepped forward and closed the space between them, he couldn’t ignore the stir of arousal. Why? Really, why did he have to be attracted to someone? One would think after what he’d been through he would be immune to women, but apparently that was not the case.

Maybe it was that initial vulnerability he’d seen in her at the stables. Perhaps it was all of that silken raven hair. Or maybe it was how she was clearly a strong woman who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.

Regardless, the sooner this storm passed, the sooner he could get her back where she belonged. Between his jumpiness and the unwanted attraction, this was going to be a hell of a storm...both inside and out.

* * *

The bathroom was just as dated and neglected as the kitchen. Which was rather surprising, considering the Elliotts had more money than she’d ever see in a lifetime.

But finances were the least of her concerns right now. For one thing, the shirt smelled amazing. So amazing, in fact, that she might have taken her time in sliding it down over her face so she could inhale that woodsy, masculine scent.

Her other concern was really the reason she hadn’t stepped from the bathroom just yet. Where was she supposed to put her bra? It was soaked, so she wasn’t going to keep it on. But it wasn’t like she wanted to walk out and hand him her pink lacy demi. She’d only met the man a few hours ago. Him handling her unmentionables seemed a bit too intimate.

Grabbing her wet jeans, socks and tank, she wrapped the bra inside the wad of clothes and stepped barefoot from the bathroom.

Thankfully, her phone was okay. No messages from Sadie, so Alexa would check in later. She’d only been gone a few hours, so checking in now would seem overbearing...though she probably would’ve already done so had this little predicament with Hayes not presented itself.

Hayes stood in the kitchen with his back to her, the coffeepot in the corner brewing to life. The sight of that broad back had her clutching her wet clothes and willing herself to calm down. He was just a man. A really sexy, intriguing, frustrating man who’d stared at her lips and stripped his shirt off in front of her.

“Can I throw these in?” she asked.

He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes flared slightly when he raked his gaze over her body. Yeah, his 2X shirt was nearly to her knees. Apparently he needed this size to accommodate those muscles, but she was neither muscular nor tall, so she looked utterly ridiculous. But she was dry and that’s what mattered.

“I’ll take them.”

When he started toward her, she shook her head. “I can do it.”

“Have a seat and give me the clothes. I’ve seen women’s underwear before.”

Of course he’d know why she was clutching her things like a lifeline. “Well, you haven’t seen mine.”

Not a smile or a comment from him as he took her things and disappeared into the utility room. Alexa crossed to the coffeepot and nearly groaned at the glorious smell. She glanced at the bag on the counter and didn’t recognize the brand. Probably something she couldn’t just pick up in the corner market. The Elliotts probably had minions to handpick their coffee beans and make a special roast just for them.

She glanced around, surprised she’d missed the French press on the counter. This kitchen had an expensive coffee maker and a French press? Well, he apparently had his priorities in order.

“They should be done in about forty minutes,” he told her as he came back in.

“The rain hasn’t let up,” she commented as she stared out the large window over the sink. “The sky is getting darker, too.”

Not a good sign. Not good at all.

“I drove my truck down to the stables before riding the horses here with you and most everyone else on the ranch is gone for the day,” he muttered, as if wondering how the hell to get her back to the other side of the property in the middle of this storm.

A bolt of lightning flashed through the sky. Now she was being mocked by Mother Nature. Apparently there was no good way to get back to a vehicle that could take her to the B and B.

Alexa wrapped her arms around her waist and glanced around the room. This was all so...awkward for her. She had a small town house in Stone River and lived with an infant. But here she was thrust into the country, into an old family home with a sexy man and wearing his clothes, which smelled far too fabulous. Part of her couldn’t help but think back to another man and another T-shirt she used to wear.

But that was a lifetime ago and she was in a whole new world. Everything here was so foreign, yet so familiar. From the masculine scent to the intimacy of the moment to the rush of adrenaline when Hayes had been staring at her lips out in the rain.

“You’re not afraid of storms are you?”

Hayes’s question pulled her from her thoughts. The way he studied her from across the room had her wondering if he always stared with such intensity.

“No, no.”

Silence settled heavy between them and Alexa didn’t know how to keep this situation from getting more uncomfortable.

Smoothing her damp hair away from her face, Alexa met Hayes’s steady stare. “Don’t let me get in your way,” she told him. “I can sit here and drink coffee and you can do...whatever it is that you do.”

He continued to stare, not showing an ounce of emotion. “I don’t do much other than renovate this place when I’m not working on the ranch.”

He worked? Like, manual labor? Alexa knew the Elliotts were well-known ranchers, but she figured they handled the glamorous side of things and hired out all the work.

“Well, point me toward the coffee mugs and I can take it from there. I’ll just wait for the storm to pass.”

Hayes stared another minute, then turned to the cabinet to pull her down a navy mug. He set it on the counter and walked out of the room.

Alexa simply stood there, staring at the now empty hallway. Apparently Hayes wasn’t in the hosting mood. Oh well, she’d told him to go about his business and clearly that’s what he intended to do.

Fine by her. She didn’t want to annoy him any more than she apparently already had.

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