As the sun came up the next morning, DJ thought about the woman in her arms. She’d wanted to take her time pleasing Kat, but her control had weakened with each sensual sound Kat had uttered. Kat’s fingers had tangled in the curls of her hair, moving through them, tugging urgently as DJ continued to roam Kat’s body, exploring every crevice over and over again.
DJ remembered how her body had quivered as she nipped at the flesh of Kat’s breasts, savoring the taste, teasing her nipples. When, with a groan of utter need, Kat had begged her for release, DJ had plunged her tongue deep inside. Kat had responded even more urgently than the first time, letting out a soft shudder as another wave of staggering sensations rolled through her. Kat was hot, steaming with desire beneath her, which made DJ want her even more than she’d thought possible.
DJ touched her nipple. It was agonizingly sensitive. Kat had done that. She clamped her eyes closed. What the fuck am I doing?
She slid her arm out from under Kat and moved to the side of the bed. How had she gotten here? She’d tried to keep her distance, but apparently not hard enough. Commitment had never dared cross her mind before, but Kat could complete her in many ways. The connection she’d felt with her was stronger than she’d ever felt with any woman. Was having a life with Kat possible? Could she bury all the pain she’d endured after leaving her family farm when she was younger? Would her family forgive her for the distance she’d put between them?
“Where are you going?” Kat looked up at her through thick, sleepy lashes.
“Shh. Go back to sleep.” DJ kissed her softly. “I have a couple of things to take care of this morning. Be back this afternoon.”
“You’re not escaping that easily.” Kat tugged her closer.
As she fell into bed, it hit DJ again how wonderful it felt to be with this woman—to kiss her, to touch her, to spend the night in her arms. Fear fleeted through her. This wasn’t just for fun anymore. DJ was getting attached.
Kat must have seen her expression change as she stared up at her. “Oh, no, you don’t. We’re way past second thoughts.” Kat buried her face into DJ’s neck, tickling her until she couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Stop,” DJ squealed in a breathless laugh.
Kat sat up and held her tight, pressing her forehead to DJ’s. “No second thoughts.”
DJ let out a long, slow breath. “No second thoughts.”
She fused her lips to Kat’s in a long, slow kiss. The overpowering heat washed through her again. This was crazy, but she never wanted to move from this moment in time.
* * *
“Kat,” Virgil shouted, pulling open the screen and pushing through the door. Like every other day, he took a cup out of the cabinet and went straight to the coffeepot. After pouring himself a cup, he wrinkled his face in disgust as he swallowed the cold, day-old coffee. He dumped the liquid into the sink, rinsed the pot, and then set it on the burner before crossing to the refrigerator for the can of coffee.
He glanced into the living room as he opened the refrigerator door and panicked. When he saw the lamp on its side and the couch pillows strewn across the floor, he rushed down the hallway, slowing only when he noticed the trail of clothes on the floor leading to Kat’s bedroom.
“Kat, you okay?” he shouted.
“Be right out,” she said from the other side of the door.
Virgil let a wide grin spread across his face as he gathered the scattered clothes and turned into the living room to straighten up. DJ hadn’t told her why she was here. If she had, Kat would’ve already been up and in the kitchen spittin’ fire when Virgil came in this morning.
“You feelin’ all right?” Virgil asked when Kat came through the doorway into the kitchen.
“I’m fine, Virgil. Why?” She took a seat at the table and tugged a boot on.
“You just seem to be running a little late this morning.”
“I must have forgotten to set the alarm.”
“You haven’t used that alarm clock in years. What’s going on, Kat?” he asked calmly, observing her uneasiness.
Kat let out a deep breath and sank into the chair. “You know DJ came back last night.”
“You and she…?” Virgil stopped without finishing his question.
“Yeah.” Kat averted her eyes as the response blew softly out of her lips. She bit her lip nervously as she shifted to tug her other boot on.
In her heart, Kat knew she shouldn’t feel guilty. Arizona would want her to be happy, but Virgil was Arizona’s father, and his opinion mattered. Life had been pretty rough after Arizona died. At times it had seemed unbearable. In a few of her weaker moments, Kat had thought seriously about crawling back to her parents. Whenever she began to question herself, Virgil would point out all that she’d accomplished, reinforce her confidence, and give her the strength to go on. If it weren’t for him, Kat never would’ve made it.
The screen door swung open, and Victoria Maxwell strolled into the kitchen.
Kat bolted to her feet. “Get the hell out of my house.”
“Settle down. I just came to give you a little information.” She looked around the kitchen. “Place hasn’t changed much. Bedroom still the same?” Victoria asked as she raised her brows.
Kat narrowed her eyes and gave her a hard stare. “It’s been disinfected twice since you’ve been here.” She slid down into her chair. She knew her remark was juvenile, but the woman provoked that type of reaction in her.
“Now that hurts, Kat. All I was trying to do was help you out, just like I am now.” Victoria moved closer, took a swag of Kat’s hair, and rubbed it between her fingers. “Did your new girlfriend tell you why she’s really here?”
Kat slapped at Victoria’s hand as she reared her head, jerking her hair from her fingers. “Who are you talking about?” She knew perfectly well who she was talking about.
“DJ Callen.” Victoria glanced at Virgil.
“She’s not my girlfriend. She’s here on vacation.” Kat slapped her foot to the floor, seating her heel into the boot.
“Not according to these, she’s not.” Victoria dropped a manila envelope on the table in front of her.
Kat drew her brows together. “What’s this?”
“I found it in her room.”
“What do you think you’re doing going through my guests’ things?” Kat flipped her stare to Virgil. They’d just had all the codes to the rooms changed. Now they’d have to do it again.
“When I read it, I found out all kinds of new things about you. Next time I see her, I’m gonna have to thank her.” Victoria pressed her lips together into a smile that sent a shiver through Kat.
What kind of things is she talking about? Kat picked up the envelope, turned it over, and saw her name on it. That doesn’t mean anything. Victoria could’ve written that.
Hesitating a moment, Kat tossed it onto the table, then reached down and continued lacing her boots. “Get out.”
“Okay.” Victoria gave her a wink. “Don’t worry. I won’t hold it against you when you find out I’m right.” She pushed open the screen door and stepped out. “You know where I’m at.”
“It’ll be a cold day when I ever set foot in your place again,” Kat said, and she meant it.
“Winter’s comin’ sooner than you think.” Victoria gave her a wicked smile that made Kat’s stomach clench and let the door slap shut.
“Oh boy.” Virgil frowned and rubbed his forehead. “Are you gonna open it?” Virgil pushed the envelope closer to Kat.
“It’s not my business, Virgil.”
“It damn sure is. It’s got your name on it.” Virgil picked it up and let the contents slide out into his hand. After reading the first page, he shook his head. He flipped through the rest of the documents before slipping them into the envelope and dropping it onto the kitchen table. He eyed it for a moment before he went back to making the coffee.
Kat planted her hands firmly on her knees and stared at the envelope. “I told her how much trouble Maxwell’s been giving us. She probably just did some checking when she went to Austin yesterday.” She sucked in a deep breath and pressed her lips hard together.
“Why don’t you just take a look and find out?” Virgil slid the envelope over to her.
She picked it up and ran her finger under the flap. Still undecided, she let the documents slide slowly out into her hand. As she focused on the first few lines, all that registered in her mind were the words Montco Oil and stock transfer. She suddenly found it hard to breathe. She felt like someone had punched her in the chest. The documents weren’t about Victoria at all. They pertained to Montco Oil Incorporated.
She read further. It appeared that Elizabeth was willing to sign over one third of her interest in the company to Kat, free and clear. The one catch was that she take an active position in the company and attend all board meetings in the future.
She didn’t understand. These weren’t even copies. They were original documents. DJ had acted like she didn’t know her family. Why would she have them? She scanned each page from top to bottom as she flipped through the rest of the papers, and pain stabbed her heart. They were all about her. It was a well-composed dossier of her life, including everything from early childhood to the present.
She felt the warmth of the tears streaming down her face as she continued to read. Her whole life story was right there in one neat little package. No wonder she was so attracted to DJ Callen. She had prepared herself well. She knew more than enough about Kat to seduce her.
She scattered the documents across the table. “Damn her.”
“I’m sorry, Kat.” Virgil stood in the doorway, concern clear in his eyes. She wished she could lose the last half decade of her life, fall into his protective arms, and let him comfort her as she had when she was younger, but she’d made this mess, and her pride wouldn’t let her.
“I should’ve known better,” Kat said, storming past him. “Are all women like this?” she asked, without needing an answer.
DJ Callen was no better than Victoria Maxwell. She might not be quite as transparent, but she was just the same. Kat had let her guard down and trusted her. Now she’d abused that trust.
“Where are you going?” Virgil shouted after her.
Kat threw the screen door open. “Out on the range. I have work to do,” she said and sprinted toward the stable.