Page 3 of Stalked By the Rancher

"Strong hands," she comments, and I swear there's a hint of a tease in her tone.

"Comes with the job," I reply, trying for nonchalance. But inside, I'm a storm of wanting. It's like she's a magnet, and every cell in my body is iron filings, helpless to resist the pull.

We walk to the stable together, and I'm hyper-aware of her every move—the sway of her hips, the way her hair catches the sunlight. It should be illegal for someone to affect me this much.

"Bet you didn't think you'd be playing farmhand your senior year," I say, trying to steer my thoughts somewhere safer.

Her laugh is light and free, and it stirs something deep in my chest. "It's actually kind of exciting," she says. "Different from anything I've known."

"Good different, I hope." I set the bucket down and lean against the stall door, watching her.

"Definitely good," she replies, and there's that look again, like she's seeing right through me.

"Come on. Let me show you how to mix the feed properly," I find myself saying, another excuse to spend time with her. "It's all about getting the balance right."

She follows me, close enough that I can smell her—something sweet and floral that's probably from some shampoo, but it's intoxicating all the same. I talk her through the process, making sure our hands brush more than necessary.

"Like this?" she asks, holding up a scoop of feed for inspection.

"Exactly like that," I say, my voice dropping an octave. There's an energy between us now, a current that's impossible to ignore.

"Thanks, Sawyer. You're a good teacher," she says, and there's a warmth in her cheeks that matches the heat flooding my own body.

Fuck, if she only knew what I wanted to teach her.

"Anytime, Nora," I manage to choke out, already thinking about the next lesson I can give her. The next reason to be near her.

"See you later, then," she says, and heads off to finish her chores.

"Later," I echo, watching her go. And as she disappears from view, I press my hands hard against the wooden beams of the stable. I've got to keep a grip on this thing, on this wild desire that wants to consume me whole.

But even as I stand there, trying to steady myself, I know I'm kidding myself.

Because Nora Davenport isn't just under my skin.

She's in my blood, and I don't know how to want her any less.

* * *

The sun dips behind the horizon, and I'm alone in my room. The image of Nora, that lithe, vibrant thing, burns behind my eyelids. I lean back against the headboard, the sheets cool against my skin, but there's a fire raging inside me that's anything but.

Her laughter echoes in my ears—a sound I've caught myself chasing all damn day. And now, with the door closed and nothing but moonlight for company, I let my hand wander south. My breath hitches as I picture her, all soft curves and sun-kissed skin. In my mind, she's sprawled out beneath me, her body arching into mine. A low groan escapes me as I imagine her eyes, dark with desire, locked onto mine, and her sweet lips parted in a silent plea for more.

"Fuck, Nora," I rasp into the quiet, my movements growing faster, rougher. I’m fucking my hand, bucking up into furiously, pretending it’s her hot little cunt. I imagine she’s hot and wet and tight. That my cock is the first one to breach her virginity.

And when release finally hits, it's like a goddamn thunderstorm breaking inside me. Her name is a reverent curse on my lips as I ride out the waves of pleasure, picturing her with me, around me, until there's nothing left but the echo of a fantasy and the reality of an empty room.

The next day, the heat clings to my skin, but it's got nothing on the burn in my chest when I catch sight of one of the ranch hands tossing Nora a flirty smile. She laughs, carefree and oblivious to the wildfire she's sparking in me.

"Hey!" I call out, my voice sharper than I intend. I stride over, slapping a heavy hand on the guy's shoulder. "Let's remember why we're here, yeah? This isn't a damn social hour."

"Easy, boss," he says, holding up his hands in surrender, and backs off. But my glare follows him like a shadow until he's well away from Nora. I turn to her, my jaw set, trying to smooth out the lines of possessiveness etched deep into my frown.

"Stick close to me today," I tell her, my voice low. "I've got some special tasks that need your attention."

"Special tasks?" she repeats, a flicker of confusion in her eyes before she nods, unaware of the storm she's stirring up inside me.

"Very special," I affirm, watching the way the sunlight plays across her face, casting her in a glow that makes my chest tighten. "You'll see."

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