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OVER THE NEXT WEEKS, a routine began to form and that helped settle things down. After Stryker had a conversation with Ben before he started his first day of paying back his loan, Avery didn’t think Ben would return. But evidently, their father had a second word with him after he got home, and she saw him mucking out stalls the second day.
Ben had done a little of everything during his first few weeks. Avery was sure it was to orient him to how things were done on the Red Eagle, but Ben didn’t seem to agree. He was holding a grudge. A loud, grumpy one.
“I need to go home tonight to try and smooth over this thing between Ben and me,” Avery told Stryker as they were walking to the main house for lunch.
The same day Ben started working at the ranch, Stryker had laid down the law about lunches with dire consequences if she skipped meals often. She routinely ate at the ranch now.
“Avery, Ben needs to work this out for himself. You’ll just be presenting yourself as a target for his irritation.”
“How is he doing on the ranch, anyway?”
“I have no idea, and you changed the subject. We will return to it. As far as how Ben is doing, that’s Seamus’ and Carson’s area of expertise.”
“I’ll be back first thing,” Avery promised.
“Woman, sometimes I get whiplash keeping up with your conversations. I don’t want you going to make things easier for Ben. He didn’t consider your feelings when he bullied you into doing something you knew you didn’t want to do.”
Avery sighed. “I know.”
“And he certainly didn’t think of you when he left that bruise on your face a few weeks back.”
Another sigh. “You’re right.”
“Besides, we have new guests arriving tomorrow morning, and I need you here to help Renee get them checked in and settled.”
“I thought that was Callen’s side of the ranch.”
“It is, normally, but he isn’t back until early afternoon tomorrow. Renee needs help overseeing things until then.”
“Of course, I’ll help. I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow morning.”
“Avery, Daddy said to leave things as they are for now.”
And just that quickly, she felt a hard zing between her thighs, which was her first inclination that she had the urge to acquiesce. Stryker wanted to protect her, and she wanted to be protected. Her second inclination was to not give into her first desire. Her second won out.
“Well, since Daddy doesn’t go to work with me, he will have to wait until later to share his concerns. To my boss, Stryker, I promise to be here by eight.”
“Why don’t you go home and do what you need to do, because I know you don’t intend on listening to my wise advice, but then come back. I’ve gotten used to you in my bed, and I don’t like it when you aren’t there.”
Avery smiled. “Good. I like to sleep in your bed too, but I do have a life outside of you.”
“I haven’t stopped you from doing what you like to do. Up until now, you haven’t wanted to do something that was not in your best interest.”
“A healthy relationship has outside interests from each other as well as with the other partner.”
Stryker laughed. “Who are you quoting?”
“Renee. She wants to go out tomorrow night. Don’t worry, it’s Friday, no work the next day.”
Stryker simply grunted and opened the kitchen door. “Mm, smells good. I’m glad we have our cook back. I was getting tired of our bland fare.”
Renee laughed from further in the kitchen. “You mean you were tired of cooking those meals.”
“That too. Smells good, Libby.”
The rest of the afternoon was taken up with making sure everything was in order for the guests the next morning. Stryker concentrated on preparing for the next meetings on building a second bunkhouse. It still amazed Avery how many meetings a rancher had. Granted, Stryker ran more than just a ranch. He did oversee each part of the ranch's actual operations, an area with a broad scope, including all the background work to keep things running smoothly. Avery’s job was to keep Stryker running smoothly and help Renee and the others if they needed it.
It was stressful sometimes, but while Stryker had shown a lack of patience in her first few weeks, now that she had accepted his arrangement and taken on the job full time, that seemed to disappear. Maybe he had shifted his pent-up energies to their interactions because he certainly found the opportunity to voice his disapproval and opinions often these days.
Renee had said to ignore Stryker. He would be too busy organizing his even larger empire if he accepted her and Avery’s proposal. He wouldn’t have time to be moody. Avery supposed she was right, but she hoped that Stryker was more agreeable because they were dating, not because he was overworked.
The women agreed that their new idea for expanding the ranch’s operations would add dimension to the Dude Ranch program if an entire family could enjoy the amenities the ranch could offer. It was likely more people would come. Those that were into dude ranching would be happy, and those that enjoyed everything else like horseback riding, swimming, hiking, and relaxing with a good book for starters would also be satisfied. And the campfires would be for everyone.
In the winter, those who skied would, and those who just loved the lodge-type atmosphere a ranch could offer would do that instead. It would involve building a lodge because families needed space. And when available, they could allow the kids a little petting zoo of sorts. They had spent a week doing the minimum research, fleshing out the idea, getting the broad cost estimates for upgrades, etc., and then Renee pitched it to Stryker. Avery sat at her desk, anxiously waiting for the verdict.
***
STRYKER LISTENED TO Renee and Avery’s ideas and wondered why the two weren’t in his office together pitching the idea. When his sister had laid the foundation, he raised his hand for her to stop trying to convince him it was a good idea. Leaning over, he hit the intercom.
“Avery, could I see you for a minute.”
“Yes, sir.”
Renee rolled her eyes. “You make her call you, sir?”
“Nope, she just does when she’s not sure why I want her.” He grinned and shrugged.
“She doesn’t call anyone else sir,” Renee pointed out.
“I dole out bigger consequences than anyone else.”
Renee groaned. “Tell me you don’t spank her.”
“It’s not any of your concern, little sister. Suffice to say, I will spank you if you go too far.”
Avery walked in the door and studied Stryker’s bland expression and Renee’s pinkened cheeks for a moment before she continued into the room.
“What can I do for you?” She looked over at Stryker with a chastising look. “I’m not getting you coffee. You’ve had enough today.”
“I’ll have you know that I’ve only had three cups this morning.”
“Five,” Avery corrected him with firm conviction.
“Five? You’re mistaken.”
“You’ve had three that you poured in the office, one at breakfast and one you brought over from breakfast. You’ve had enough.”
“I can handle much more than that.”
“I’m sure you can, but it isn’t good for you. Especially since you drink full-bodied, black as coal coffee.”
“She’s got you, brother,” said Renee with a grin.
“I think two women are looking for hot seats instead of the go-ahead to do more work on the feasibility of their brainstorm project.”
Renee jumped up and ran to her brother, hugging him hard. He grinned as he hugged her back while looking over Renee’s shoulder to Avery, who stood in the door. “Research and do some projections, but under no circumstances can you neglect your other duties. Understood? This has the lowest priority. You are merely checking into it further. I’ll write up a list of questions I have to begin with, and you find me the answers.”
“Of course.” Renee hugged Avery as she left the office, headed to her own desk, presumably to start on the deeper research work that she had just agreed was a low priority.
“Avery, hold on a minute, will you?” His face gave nothing away.
“Of course.”
“And close the door.” She did. “Lock it.”
“Stryker, I have so much work to do...” Avery started to explain as her face reddened.
“Lock the door.” His tone darkened.
She did but then leaned back against it. “What do you need, Stryker?”
“Why are you so far away from me, darlin’? You know there are some things I always want where you’re concerned.”
“Yes, I have gotten that impression.” Avery grinned at him. “But what, specifically, do you want at this moment?”
She squeezed her legs together to stave off the tingle, but it was unsuccessful. She knew her panties were growing wetter by the second. Stryker just did it for her, and that was a dangerous position to be in these days. Avery had too many out-of-control things in her life right now. Letting this man in on how much he flipped her switch wasn’t a wise move.
“I want you to come back and spend the night with me tonight.”
“Stryker, I’ve already told you that I need to go home and deal with Ben.”
Stryker walked closer to Avery and framed her between his arms, which he braced against the door. He leaned in to bring his lips just above hers. “What if Daddy said no?”
She sighed. “Daddy isn’t in this office, remember? And I get to make my own decisions. I have to work through this animosity that Ben has before it festers and grows to be too much to handle. It’s been a few weeks now, and he hasn’t said a word to me. Please, sir?”
She played the begging ‘sir’ card, and her big puppy dog eyes always did him in every time. Avery hoped they still worked. She knew he thought he wasn’t supposed to be a softie. He was the eldest and the most unyielding. He ruled his part of the ranch with an iron fist, except when it came to Avery. Stryker could be tough, but when the woman he slept with and his only sister played their cards right, he was powerless. And Renee said it was because he was falling for Avery. Avery wasn’t so sure.
“You know you earned a spanking for talking back and disobeying me, right?”
“If I were a child, maybe. But I’m not. I have taken your request under advisement, but I need to go. I have to do this, and if you can’t understand, then this attempt at some kind of relationship is in name only. I’ll know it’s only for sex, and you aren’t serious.”
Stryker stood and ran his fingers through his hair. “Avery, let me go with you, so nothing happens.”
“No, it will only make it harder to talk to him.”
She prayed it was enough to get Stryker to back down. The reality was she was taking a big risk. Renee could be all wrong. Stryker may have decided that this was not for him, that she wasn’t for him. She was too opinionated or too independent. Avery didn’t want to end what they had started. The fact was, against her better judgment and all of her self-talk, she was falling for the moody, over-protective brute, and she didn’t want to learn to live without him. She watched him as he battled what he wanted her to do with what she demanded to do.
“Avery, he isn’t a man in control of his emotions. The number of times he has lost his temper in the last weeks is into the double digits. Allowing you to put yourself in harm’s way would be irresponsible of me. Don’t ask me to send you into the lion’s den. You are mine to protect.”
“Proverbial lion’s den.”
He shook his head. “It’s too much of a risk for your safety.”
She was taking a chance pushing him, but what else could she do. It felt like she was at a crossroads. If she didn’t insist on her way when it was this important to her, then what else could she do but roll over and play dead? Stryker would win, and she would lose her autonomy. That was unacceptable. It would hurt, but she would have to walk away from this man before that happened.
“Honestly, my dad will be there, and I’m willing to compromise. I can compromise if you can. I’ll have dinner at home, talk to Ben, and regardless of whether I get through to him or not, I’ll come back in time for bed tonight.”
She watched him struggle. The man really got his way too often. “And you agree you’ve earned a punishment for doing what I believe is a bad move, possibly downright risking your safety.”
This time he stood more confidently because he had hit on his compromise. Avery wouldn’t get better from him. Was it enough?
“What kind of punishment? Besides, what if nothing happens? What if we do well and mend the fence. Then I don’t earn a punishment, and you make sweet love to me.”
“How will I know you’re truthful?”
She gave him her deep frown of disapproval. “Did you actually say that?”
He shook his head and grimaced. “I did, but I don’t mean it. I trust you, or you wouldn’t be going alone. Come here, you naughty assistant.” His countenance changed, and he smiled. “Sweet love if you are right, and make you scream, hard pounding love if you don’t. After you suck me off for penance.”
Every muscle in her body went weak. Avery pulled herself together enough to say in a sex-hungry hoarse voice, “I’m not naughty. Trying at times, but not naughty.”
“Oh,” he kissed her hard, “You’re naughty, all right, but I can handle you.”
His tongue traced her lip and then nibbled, biting them before lifting his head. Avery rubbed her thighs together, and the ache only grew.
“Need something, darlin’?”
“You know I do.”
“Then, you come back on time, and I’ll give you what you want.” His smile was wicked.
“Stryker, that’s cruel. Please, Daddy?”
“You’re good at playing the Daddy card and the Sir card when it’s convenient, aren’t you? No, my naughty girl told me Daddy didn’t come to work with her, so you’ll have to wait until you come home. But if I find out you haven’t,” he ran his finger over her jawline, “then I will paddle that wet, aching pussy for you until you beg me to stop. Then I’ll do it until you beg me to take you. Understand?”
“You are so cruel.”
“Oh, baby, you haven’t seen me cruel. I can be and will be if you defy me tonight.” He dropped another kiss on her nose before turning her around and solidly swatting one rounded ass cheek. “Go back to work, darlin’, before I have to break my office rule of not mixing the day job with after-work activities. I’ll have to spank you for that, too.”
Avery huffed, and he continued with an even bigger grin. She knew he loved it when she was hot for him. Stryker was always contradicting and testing her. He lost the evil, playful grin.
“Wait, we didn’t get the whole compromise settled.” She wanted it spelled out.
He didn’t answer her observation. “If I’m still on the phone when you’re ready to leave, you remember to be back by ten tonight. And you will call me if you find yourself in trouble.”
“At home?”
“Anywhere you go, there is a potential for trouble, woman. Ten o’clock.”
“How about eleven?”
Gone was the indulgent, teasing, sizzling hot boyfriend. “Ten or I come after you and spank your ass in your father’s front room.” Her daddy was back.
“Okay, okay. I’ll try to get back by ten, but no punishments.” There was that laugh again.