Page 30 of On His Ranch

“I’m kiddin’, Piper.”

She blushed prettily and went back to work.

He followed suit, but after a while he had to admit his mind wasn’t on work. Piper’s nearness was a type of electricity he’d never felt before and it kept him otherwise occupied.

He peeked over at her and saw her intent on squeezing the udders just so. She was working slowly, but she would pick up speed in time.She’s cool as a cucumber and I’m over here three strokes away from an explosion, he thought, shifting his weight to try to give his cock some room to breathe.

It had been a long time since he’d felt this kind of instant, unbearable attraction. It was the only reason he’d accepted her offer to help with his chores knowing it would just add to his workload.

What is she thinking?He normally didn’t concern himself with such things, but this girl was different. Special, even if he didn’t quite know why.

When the heifer she was milking mooed, Piper stopped suddenly. “Does it hurt them?” she asked, the concern in her voice evident.

Under normal circumstances, such questions irked him. They just showed how ignorant the asker was. But he found himself touched by her tenderness. “Nope, quite the opposite, actually. It brings them relief.” As he squeezed the udder again, he was desperate for his own relief.

“I guess I’ll get back to it,” she answered, nibbling on her bottom lip.

He envied those teeth. He’d learned it was something Piper did when she was nervous, so he tried to reassure her the best he could. “You’re doin’ fine. You’ll be a pro in no time. Your technique could use a lil’ work though.” On impulse, he pushed his stool back and stood.

Piper watched him with wide eyes as he walked toward her.

Chase bent over, putting his hands over hers and milking the cow with sure, practiced movements. “You see?”

“Um… I think so. Like this?” she asked, changing her hold on the udders to mimic his own.

“Yep. Good.” He moved his hands to let her try on her own but he didn’t move. He stayed leaning over her even when it was evident she’d gotten the hang of it. He brushed her ear with his mouth and whispered, “You called me ‘Daddy’ yesterday.”

Piper dropped the bucket, sending the few ounces of milk he’d collected spilling under the cow’s feet.

The heifer stamped her foot and mooed her annoyance.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Piper whipped around, surveying him with wide, apprehensive eyes. “I…”

“Don’t worry,” he chuckled, bending and reaching for the pail. “I don’t spank over a little spilled milk.”

Instant relief etched itself all over Piper’s face.

“Not the first time, anyway.”

Her cheeks colored. Idly, he thought of how much fun he could have making the set on her face match her behind.

Cool it, Cowboy.She’s nothin’ more than a little girl.

But the thought had the opposite effect on his libido. Her lovely body was full grown and had plenty of womanly curves, but her naiveté made her seem like a girl masquerading as a woman. As much as he’d like to fight it, that part of her called to him, begging to be protected. And damn it all, he wanted to answer it, even against his better judgment.

“Should I… should I try again?”

“Unless you want to make Bella here angrier than she already is.”

“Bella?” she echoed, taking the pail he offered. “That’s a pretty name for a cow.”

He chuckled low in his throat. “Some countries worship cows, you know. Now, as a rule of thumb I don’t abide bein’ made fun of in front of my animals.” But the corners of his mouth quirked to show her he was teasing.

“You don’t abide alotof things,” she muttered.

He knew she was being snarky, and he had to admit he liked it. In most cases, he didn’t care for a smart mouth, but Piper was so darn adorable, he let it slide here and there. “What was that?”

“Oh, um, I was just saying, you have a lot of rules.”

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