Pax gripped the poker and stoked the embers in Kira’s fireplace. The orange glow burst to life as the heat took hold of the new logs he’d just added. The sun still hadn’t come up and the only light in the cabin came from the fire and the ridiculous tree in the corner.
He didn’t know why he’d stayed the whole night—he hadn’t done that in years with a woman. There was something about Kira that made staying hard nearly impossible. Not only that, but he’d come here because he’d been eaten up with jealousy over that harmless encounter between her and Brandon. The man flirted with everyone, but the flashy smile toward Kira had really agitated Pax in a manner that was both unhealthy and unexpected.
He propped the poker against the stone and took a step back. Rubbing a hand down his bare chest, Pax contemplated getting dressed and heading back to his own space. Sleeping over and encountering the whole morning after never held any appeal to him. Purposely putting himself in an awkward situation that could give off the wrong impression could only lead to a disaster for both parties. But considering Kira wasn’t staying and she’d already labeled this a temporary fling, he hadn’t been able to pull himself away...so he didn’t.
Pax quietly made his way to the kitchen and figured he’d at least start some coffee. He hadn’t been able to sleep much, not with his mind working on overdrive trying to figure out the plans for the ranch. Plans that most certainly never included a certain sexy traveler, but he couldn’t be sorry for the distraction. As much as he thrived on working 24/7, there had to be time for other activities, and he’d just encountered some of the best of his life.
Kira had all the personality and charm and charisma outside of the bedroom, but inside... Well, who knew that sultry vixen lurked beneath the surface?
Pax found coffee filters and a dark roast bag from the local coffee shop. At least she had good taste in coffee, not that he was looking for or wanted to find similarities in their lives. He’d managed to temporarily unload a heavy portion of his worry onto Brandon and needed to remain in control and focused on the ranch. He couldn’t mentally afford to let Kira take up too much real estate in his head.
Thankfully they were in agreement as to what this was and wasn’t. He didn’t do messy, complicated, or long-term.
Pax glanced to the closed bedroom door and wondered how late she slept. Did he wait on her so he didn’t look like a jerk by just disappearing? Or would the pot of coffee and a note be sufficient for their morning after?
Once the pot had nearly filled, Pax poured himself a cup. He might as well drink one while he figured out the gentlemanly thing to do here. He hadn’t taken a lover in nearly a year and even that had been casual...yet nothing compared to what he’d experienced last night with Kira.
Was that only because he’d gone so long without? He couldn’t count on his thoughts right now. His mind had never been more vulnerable, and trusting any type of personal emotions wasn’t smart at this stage.
Hank had entrusted Pax with the dude ranch, and that’s the only thing he needed to be pouring his energy into.
Pax curled his hand around the warm mug and crossed the old hardwood until he came to the large area rug in the living room. The warmth from the fire and the coffee soothed something inside of him as he stared at the dancing flames. He couldn’t recall a recent time in his life when he’d felt any type of contentment or peace. Something with his career or growing business always seemed to be up in the air and at times, precarious. Making deals and never losing or backing down was the only way he’d climbed to the top in his field, and he didn’t intend to stop now. The ranch just gave him a very minor setback, but thanks to Brandon, this wouldn’t be an issue. He could get this ranch up and running again and launch his Spanish agency, all within a smooth, efficient process.
He rolled over in his mind where to start with the ranch. Definitely he’d have to start with a long talk with Tate. The old stable hand had been around for years and knew more than Pax in regards to this property. Pax hadn’t worked any type of ranch or farm work since he’d been a teen here in Willowvale Springs. Not that he couldn’t remember what all he’d done, but there were so many details that went into running not only a ranch, but a successful business. He assumed he and Tate would have to be on the same page here, but ultimately, Pax would have the final say. He just wanted to keep the valued, trusted employee on hand because he wasn’t staying a minute beyond the time it took to set some plans into motion here.
He took a sip of the hot, black coffee just as a floorboard creaked behind him. His gut tightened in an instant as he glanced over his shoulder. The sudden impact of desire hit him once again, harder and more intense than last night.
Kira stood just outside the bedroom door wearing only the comforter draped around her shoulders. One bare leg and bare feet stuck out the bottom with one creamy shoulder on display. Her long, dark hair still tousled, evidence of their passionate night together. The picture only thrust him back to those erotic images.
“You stayed.”
Her soft statement sliced right through the silence and the moment. Pax fully turned to face her as he nodded, his breath still caught in his throat, making him unable to speak. The sensual sight of her made all thoughts vanish. How could he want her so soon? No, not want...crave.
“I thought you’d be gone,” she added as she made her way closer.
Yeah, he thought he’d be gone, too, but now he was damn glad he opted to hang around.
When she got about two steps away, she released the blanket, then took those final steps. Without glancing around, Pax reached behind him to set his mug on the mantel, not giving a damn if the thing crashed to the floor. He’d clean it up later.
Kira went into his arms. Her bare chest pressing against his had his body tightening up once more. Arousal and desire pumped through him as her delicate hands ran up and down his back.
“You stayed and you made coffee.” She tipped her head back to stare up at him and those dark eyes held both need and joy. “I might make you stay here until I leave.”
The idea of staying here for two more weeks should send him into a panic...yet it didn’t. Yeah, he had a business to get back into shape, but damn it, that seemed not near as important as the naked, willing woman in his arms.
He gripped her backside and lifted her until her ankles locked around his waist. They weren’t going to make it back to the bedroom. Pax covered her mouth as he carefully maneuvered to the sofa. He turned and eased down, adjusting her so she straddled his lap. In a lighting move, she started working on his elastic pants, and he tipped from side to side until they were low enough. She curled her fingers around his shoulders as she rose up onto her knees. Her eyes held his as she sank down, joining their bodies.
Damn. They’d barely been back in the same room, maybe a whole minute, and they were both primed and ready to go. What the hell did that say about this dynamic chemistry?
He didn’t care. All he cared about was her and how amazing she made him feel.
Her hips rocked against his as she arched her sweet body into his and tossed her head back. Pax kept one hand on the small of her back, urging her closer, while he cupped her breast with the other. She cried out the moment his lips covered her nipple.
Bringing Kira to her climax might just be his favorite new hobby.
Her entire body moved faster, with more intensity and drive than anything they’d shared last night. He released her breast to look up at her face. He didn’t want to miss one single bit of ecstasy.
With her eyes squeezed tight, her mouth open as she let out those soft pants, and all of that bare skin flushed with arousal, watching her come completely undone also sent him over the edge. Pax continued to let her control the pace, but he didn’t even try to hold back. His fingertips dug into her hips as he let himself go.
He had no clue how to stop this roller coaster of emotions he’d started with her, but he did know one thing...he wasn’t in a hurry to stop anytime soon.
“You’re getting married?” Pax exclaimed, his tone a mix of shock and irritation.
Kira glanced toward the living room as she wiped her hands on the kitchen towel.
“Married?” she snorted. “Not anytime soon.”
Pax pointed to her open laptop and she remembered the screen she’d had pulled up. She shook her head and tossed the towel back onto the counter. Pax had offered to make breakfast, but the moment he started burning the pancakes, she took over and kicked him to the living room. She’d served up fluffy, golden pancakes and bacon along with the coffee he’d made before they got distracted. He’d offered to clean, but she really didn’t want him in her space...at least not this space. He didn’t seem too comfortable or confident in the kitchen, but she did give him bonus points for offering and trying.
“My mother is, remember?” she reminded him as she made her way around the small peninsula separating the living area and kitchen. “I mentioned that the other day.”
He stood with his hands on his hips, his eyes boring into hers. While she couldn’t exactly put a label on that stare, she had a feeling he’d gotten jealous. She thought she’d seen a sliver of that back at the café yesterday when she’d been talking to Brandon, but Pax had remained quiet.
Surely she’d been seeing things that weren’t actually there. Pax had no reason whatsoever to be jealous. For one thing, they were just having fun. A holiday affair. Second, they had no ties to each other and had made no promises. But she did have a feeling that Pax would expect his lovers, no matter how temporary, to be loyal.
“I’ve never cheated in my life,” she told him. “And I sure as hell wouldn’t be married, traveling on my own, and hooking up with some hunky cowboy behind my husband’s back.”
“Hunky cowboy?”
“Yeah. That’s you.”
“I’m not a cowboy.”
Kira stopped and blinked. While she’d thrown on a comfy, oversize sweater and leggings, Pax had thrown on his jeans and left them unbuttoned and forgone his shirt. She certainly wasn’t complaining about the view, but she was startled by his statement.
“No?” she laughed. “Yet you work on a ranch, you have the swagger and the hat. If you’re not a cowboy, then what are you?”
He stared another minute before he let out the most robust laughter she’d ever heard. Kira crossed her arms over her chest as she waited on him to calm himself and stop chuckling at her expense. She hadn’t even been aware that the man had that much humor living inside and the raw emotion really struck something in her that seemed to just click. While she never liked being on the receiving end of a joke, she did enjoy hearing his deep laugh.
“I really don’t know what’s so funny,” she stated after he still hadn’t composed himself.
“A hat and a swagger?” he asked. “That’s what makes a cowboy? And what the hell is a swagger? You’re saying I walk like I’m off a horse?”
Kira shrugged, now feeling a little silly. “Listen, I’m from a city. I don’t know the lingo here. I just know you look, walk, and act like a cowboy.”
Some dark wave of emotions seemed to come across his face, but was gone in an instant. She wasn’t sure what to make of the gesture or what thoughts rolled through his mind or what she’d even said that triggered his reaction. Despite being intimate multiple times, he still kept his feelings guarded and close to his chest.
She could appreciate that and respect him for it, but a sliver of her wished he’d just open up a little and let her in. This all might be temporary, but she wanted to feel like she wasn’t sleeping with a stranger.
“I’m actually into real estate,” he offered.
“Real estate?”
Well, she’d wanted him to open up, but she never would have guessed real estate.
“I’m sure that keeps you busy with trying to work here, too,” she offered, maneuvering around the sofa to take a seat. She curled her feet up on the cushion beside her and stared up at him as he remained by the roaring fire. “Which one do you love more?”
He rested an arm along the mantel and stared out the side patio doors. She tried to focus on their conversation and not the excellent masculine form he’d just put completely on display. He likely didn’t even have a clue how delicious he looked right this very minute.
“I haven’t thought about it,” he told her, but kept his attention focused on the snowy view out the double doors. “Real estate is just ingrained in me.”
“Interesting,” she murmured, resting her arm on the edge of the couch. “You just seem like you were made for this life. The love and care you have for the horses, the way you tend to the land and want to get the business back up and running. You clearly have a special place in your heart for the ranch. But is the real estate what you have to do for money? Because that’s totally understandable. Most people have a true passion, but they can’t turn that into a career.”
There it went again, that flash of something she couldn’t put her finger on, but now that she’d seen the heaviness of whatever he was feeling, she’d have to say there was some sadness or almost regret or remorse.
“Did someone in your family own this land?” she asked before she could stop herself. “Your grandfather or something?”
Pax’s focus whipped around to her. “My grandfather?”
“I’m just curious why you seem almost protective when we talk about the ranch. You close in on yourself like your mind is racing and you’re not sure what to say.”
He dropped his arm and sighed, then stared up at the ceiling and let out a humorless laugh.
“Do you ever turn off your work mode?” he asked, moving his gaze back to her. “Or do you study everyone to zero in on their happiness?”
Kira didn’t want the conversation turned back to her. She felt like they were always discussing her. Either he wanted to get to know her or he was a master deflector...she firmly believed the latter.
“It’s a habit,” she explained. “But I love my job, so most of the time, I don’t feel like I’m working.”
“And that’s how you know you’re in the right profession?” he asked, crossing his arms over that perfectly chiseled bare chest spattered with dark hair. “What if you can’t live off the pay of something you love? What if you have to bust your ass doing something that’s profitable over your happiness?”
Kira swung her legs around to rest her feet on the plush rug. “I realize that not everyone can turn their passion into profit, but sometimes you can get creative and combine the two worlds. Besides, money isn’t everything.”
“That’s usually what people say who grew up with money,” he countered.
A sliver of irritation slid through her as she came to her feet. Her sweater fell off one shoulder in her abrupt move and she didn’t miss the way Pax’s eyes darted to her bare skin. Good. At least everything they’d shared had affected him just as much as her.
“I grew up with a mother always seeking her next sugar daddy and clearly she’s still on the hunt again,” Kira told him, a little more heat in her tone than she’d intended. “I don’t give a damn about money, but I do care about character and loyalty.”
“Is that what you’re looking for in a man or people in general?” he asked.
Kira snorted. “I’m not looking for a man.”
She didn’t want to appear weak or needy because sometimes that’s how her mother came across. Kira wanted to stand on her own two feet at all times.
“Yet here I am,” he stated, spreading his arms wide.
“I wasn’t looking for you.”
His hands dropped to his sides as he took two steps to eliminate the space between them. He stood as close as possible to her without touching, but with his impressive height, Kira had to tip her head back to meet his intense gaze.
“I wasn’t looking for you, either,” he murmured, reaching to sweep her hair away from her.
That slightest graze of his fingertips along her cheek and neck sent a rapid tingle shooting through her. No matter the power behind his touch—light or demanding—her body responded without hesitation.
“So...we’re just riding this out for the next couple weeks?” she asked.
“Looks like it, but we’re making a few changes.”
Kira jerked. “Is that so? What changes? And don’t say my tree.”
A grin flirted around his mouth. “We can address that once all the needles are gone...which should be soon.”
“Then what is it?”
“We’d have more space and be more comfortable at the main house.”
The main house? Like, move in with him for the rest of her stay? That seemed like jumping from fling to family and not only did she not want that, she was utterly shocked that he’d even mentioned the idea.
“Don’t read anything into this,” he added, as if reading her thoughts. “This is strictly for convenience for me and more space for both of us. There’s plenty of room if you’d still like your own space. Or you can stay here. The choice is totally yours.”
He’d put the proverbial ball in her court and she wasn’t sure what to do with it now. But she had two weeks left with this man and she fully intended to make the most of every single second.