Page 14 of Rough Ride

Danny hummed. “I do have a thing for black women.”

“So I’ve heard.”

By marriage, Danny was a member at Rough ‘n Ready, although he didn’t play much. Evan kept him on a short leash. Eli knew Danny hadn’t finished his Dom training, so he wasn’t allowed to participate in full play. It was one of the things he respected about both club owners. They took the safety of their patrons over earning bigger profits.

Suddenly, Danny whistled. Eli glanced up. She was easy to spot because of her height, but Eli was sure he would pick her out of any crowd. Eli’s heart almost stopped. She was walking with that long-legged easy stride of hers. She was wearing a worn cowboy hat. It wasn’t something she had just bought. It was frayed just a bit on the edges, plus it fit her perfectly. His gaze drifted down as he took in the rest of her outfit. The bright blue sleeveless shirt matched her eyes. The jeans fit perfectly, molding to her legs and hips, and God help him, he was pretty sure her ass too.

He knew the instant that she saw him. Their gazes connected and her eyes lit up and she smiled. Just that. A curving of her lips and those sweet dimples appearing and his mouth dried up. He barely knew her. Add in the issue of the ranch, and it would get damned difficult to keep things professional. Still, he couldn’t ignore the stirring of need deep down in his gut. It was the click with a woman that he knew

“Hey, boss?” Danny asked.

He glanced at the younger man. Danny was staring at him as if Eli had lost his mind. Mentally, he shook himself. He needed to keep his head in the game. He usually had more control over his emotions.

She stepped up and without warning gave him a hug. It was too quick, but it was enough to get his heart racing. The scent of her surrounded him.

“It’s so great to finally be here. That’s such a long trip,” she said as she pulled back. He said nothing for a minute because she was smiling at him and every damned bloody thought in his head evaporated. It was as if he had been rendered stupid in that one second.

Danny cleared his throat, bringing Eli back to earth.

“Crysta, this is Danny Aiona, one of the hands.”

She turned and smiled at Danny. “It’s so nice to meet you. I only have one bag, so it shouldn’t take that long.”

“One bag for six months?” Eli asked.

She slanted him a look. “I shipped everything else. It should be here next week. Besides, I don’t need much.”

“I like that in a woman,” he said.

She laughed. “I’m sure every man does.” Something caught her eye and she hurried over to the carousel to get her bag. He strode after her, annoyed. She reached for it, but he got there first, pulling it off.

“Whoa, cowboy, I can handle my own bag,” she said, annoyance filling her voice.

“And I think Joe would expect me to show you the courtesy of grabbing your bag.”

She rolled her eyes and walked away. He followed. He’d been right. The jeans fit that heart shaped ass perfectly. She was rooting through her purse and then withdrew her sunglasses.

“So, where are we parked, Danny Aiona?”

He glanced back at Eli, apparently unsure of what to say. Then he motioned with his hand. “Just right out here.”

“Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

* * *

Crysta smiled when her father texted back two words—go away.

“Your father?” Eli asked.

It irritated her that he assumed it would be her father, but she was more annoyed that she was disappointed by his reaction when she arrived. Okay, she had been a little over enthusiastic, but she was excited. The long ride over gave her a lot of time to think.

Her father had been right. This was a chance to start new. To take time and decide what to do with the rest of her life. Well, for the next part of her life at least. That had excited her. She shouldn’t expect Eli, a man who had worked alongside her uncle for years, thinking he would own the ranch.

“Yes. He’s going to bed now. Kind of late for him.”

He nodded. “He might have company.”

She snorted. “I wish. He needs to have a life.”

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