Page 46 of Rough Ride

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Eli opened his eyes and instantly winced when the bright sun blinded him. Damn, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept this late. Of course, he’d been up the majority of the night making love to Crysta.

Crysta.

He reached for her but found the bed empty. He frowned and listened for her, realizing she was out on the balcony. She was on the phone and laughing. God, he loved that laugh. He watched her as she continued to talk. Eli was sure that a psychiatrist would have a field day with his behavior. He couldn’t help it. He liked watching her. And he was doing it again while she was on the phone with her father.

Sick, St. John, real sick. Lusting after a woman while she was having a talk with her father was probably the weirdest thing he had ever done.

And that was saying a lot.

He was going to go out onto the balcony but realized he was naked. He slipped out of bed and went to his room. He needed his boxers at least. After relieving himself and brushing his teeth, he found a pair in his bag.

Before he walked out there, he reminded himself of their agreement, even if they hadn’t been that strict about agreeing to it. It wasn’t going to last. It couldn’t. As both of them agreed when they were done, it was only one night. It was to let off some steam.

But it hadn’t felt that way. He didn’t want just a roll in the bed with Crysta. The Dom in him wanted her submission. Complete submission at that. He wasn’t in for a bit of play. He wanted it all. Or at least for a little while. Fuck. He didn’t know what the hell he wanted.

There was so much to worry about. The ranch, the work they had to do together, and she wasn’t there forever. He knew at the end of the six months, she would be on her way back to the mainland. Something told him if they partnered up, it could cause problems on the ranch.

“Deep in thought, St. John?”

He glanced back over his shoulder at her. He realized at that moment, she made him vulnerable. He couldn’t remember wanting a sub as his own so badly…ever. And now, this woman who could cause more problems than he could list, was pulling at needs he didn’t know he had. He frowned.

“No. Just. A lot on my mind.”

She nodded. “About last night…”

“Yeah,” he said, trying to think of a way to say they needed to just let it go.

“I think it best if we just chalk it up to hormones.”

“Yeah…wait, what?”

“Listen, I understand what our problems are and involving sex, well, that’s just going to cause more problems.”

“That’s true.” But he didn’t like it. Sure, he had been trying to come up with reasons that they shouldn’t be doing this, but now that she had said it, it irritated him.

“I really had a fantastic time last night, but I honestly think we need to be careful. I don’t want to jeopardize the working relationship we have. I did that once before and I don’t want to do that now.”

“Is this about that bastard, Ashton?”

She frowned. “What about Ashton?”

“The ex. The one you caught cheating. Is this about him?”

“Yes, we worked together, but that had nothing to do with the problems we had. It made working together impossible.”

“And so you left?”

She shook her head. “No. I handled it. He didn’t and his behavior got him fired. While he was an ass to me and I wouldn’t wish him on my enemies, he was an excellent teacher. I just…the ranch is so important and while I felt I failed Joe as a niece for a lot of my life, I know his one wish was that the ranch be yours. He wanted you to run it and I want to make sure I do everything in my power to help with that.”

He didn’t know how to respond. She was thinking of Joe, and that was one thing he couldn’t fault. While he might have had misgivings about her to begin with, she had definitely pulled her weight and she had loved Joe.

He nodded.

“Now, I’m supposed to go to lunch with May and Dee. They’re going to pick me up.”

She stepped forward, cupped his cheek, and kissed his other one. He could smell the fresh air on her skin. He didn’t give into the need to turn his head and kiss her mouth. He watched as she walked around the corner to her room, then let out a breath.

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