Page 51 of The Cowboy's Magic Touch

“Fine by me.”

“Brody? Do you mind?” Annie asked, staring up at him.

“I’d say yes if I were you, or Bella might just run away with him,” the sheriff interjected with a chuckle. “They sure look like they’re fond of each other. Now if you’ll excuse me, Geoff is bein’ brought out and I want a quick word.”

“I do too,” Annie said angrily, running towards the stretcher.

“Hey, hold up,” Brody called, but she was already on her way and nothing was going to stop her.

“Geoff, your office will receive a letter of termination from a lawyer in the next couple of days, and I’m suing you for everything I can think of,” she said angrily as she walked alongside. “And the minute I get back to the house I’m calling Julie Preston. That’s right, Geoff, Patty Henderson’s former PR agent. I’m going to tell her everything that’s happened, and do as many interviews as I can manage. In twenty-four hours everyone will know all about you, and your name will be mud.”

“You ungrateful cow, I made you a star! You can’t threaten me,” he retorted though grimacing in pain as he spoke. “Tell her, sheriff,” he added as the sheriff joined them. “Tell her she can’t threaten me like that.”

“She can talk to you any way she wants. You clobbered my deputy over the head with a heavy branch,” the sheriff snapped. “You’ll be facin’ charges here, and count yourself lucky I didn’t let Rocky attack you a second time. Get him outta here, fellas, before I permanently reshape his nose.”

* * *

As the deputies left to escort the ambulance to the hospital, Brody, Annie, and the dogs started walking down to the house while the sheriff climbed into his car.

“Hey, Brody I forgot to ask,” he called, lowering his window. “Do you want to press charges?”

“For what?”

“That bastard broke into your barn and stole those clothes.”

“I think kidnapping Annie and all the other crimes he committed will be enough. I suspect he’ll be lookin’ through prison bars for years.”

“You’re right about that. Okay, I’ll be in touch. I need to take your statements but that can wait until tomorrow.”

“Bye, sheriff,” Annie said gratefully. “You were amazing.”

“Nope, Rocky was amazin’. I just cleaned up. Bye now.”

“So, Rocky,” she murmured, reaching down to pet him as the sheriff drove away. “Do you want to be part of our family?”

“Family?” Brody repeated, taking her hand and pulling her into his arms. “You’ve got a whole other life.”

“I don’t see why I can’t have both. I can buy that field next door and build my own recording studio, and a house where the band can stay. The guys would love it out here.”

“That’s a brilliant idea, but what about your tours?”

“I think I’ve reached a point where I can perform in bigger venues and do less shows. I’ll figure it out. But, Brody, the most important thing is you and me,” she said, lowering her voice. “Yes, I love what I do—but I love you more, and if anyone’s going to manage me, it will be you.”

“How about I manage you right now?” he whispered, moving his lips to her ear.

“What did you have in mind.”

“First, you’ll soak in a hot, soapy tub, then you’ll lie on our bed, naked of course, slip on the blindfold you find on the pillow, and wait for me.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later, stretched out and filled with erotic anticipation, Annie heard Brody enter the bedroom. As he stretched out next to her, she was about to speak but he placed his finger on her lips.

“No talkin’,” he murmured, roaming his hands across her body. “You have pain here,” he said softly, stroking her upper arm. “I’ll take it away.”

She fleetingly wondered how he knew, but as his palm caressed her skin she felt a tingling sensation, and the ache began to subside. Continuing to roam his fingertips across the front of her body, he found all her sore spots and caressed away the discomfort, then rolled her over.

“Your poor shoulders,” he whispered, lightly kneading them. “There, that’s better. But you know my hands can carry a hot sting if I need them to, don’t you, Annie?”

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