Page 3 of Enamored
The Carringtons.
One and the same, the Carringtons plan a visit with us every few years. Thank God it’s not consecutively. The first few years were rough. Russ would brag how he was still in contact with Lana and what she had been up to. It was torture listening to him, but it was like a drug—I couldn’t help myself.
It made me feel worse when I couldn’t stop myself from asking questions. The smug look on his face was enough to make my stomach churn. I wanted, no,neededto know she was happy living her life without me in it. After what I did to her, I don’t deserve to know about her life. I know it. But Russ was my glimmer of hope in the storm, and I clung on tight.
The worst was six years ago. That was the last year he came with his family. Lana went on a trip to England to visit his family, and I had to listen to Russ drone on about how wonderful it was to see her and how hot she looked. He got to spend two weeks with her, and according to him,she’s great. He didn’t elaborate on what he meant, and I pray he didn’t mean in bed. The thought of that prick’s dick close to her made me lose my mind. Holden had to talk me off that ledge.
She was great in bed, though. I made damn sure of that. For the short time we were together, she was everything a man could want and more. I lost track of the number of nights I jerked off to the thought of Lana and the moans of pleasure she used to show me.
Those lonely nights stopped my sophomore year in college when I started dating Savannah. I thought she was going to be the one, but in the end, it didn’t feel right. I was with her for three years before I decided to end things. She didn’t even see it coming. Not one of my finer speeches, but that’s besides the point.
“Yeah, be there in a minute,” I say to Jeff. I put my stuff back in the house and kiss Mom on the forehead before walking to the barn. I look at my watch. I have an hour and a half before Eloise gets here. I want to make a good impression, so I help Jeff finish saddling the horses then go in to take a shower.
* * *
My phone is buzzing off the hook when I step out of the shower. I rub the dark blue terry cloth over my short brown locks and pick it up.
“What’s up, Holden?”
“Tristan, who was I supposed to pick up today?” He sounds anxious.
“Seriously, Holden?” I sigh, drop my head, and close my eyes as I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Eloise Quill, fromQuill and Smith Designs.” I hold the phone to my ear with my shoulder and pull my boxers up.
“Okay.” He pushes out a harsh breath. “Well, she’s not here. She sent someone in her place.”
I roll my eyes. He seriously had to call me for this? “I don’t give a shit who she sent. Just make sure he or she gets here in one piece.” I decide to throw a small dig at him for good measure. “And if it’s a girl, don’t hit on her.”
I end the call without waiting for his response and tug my jeans over my hips. I decide to keep my attire casual. This isn’t exactly a business meeting, but I still want to be presentable. I’m going to be showing this person the ranch and discussing what I’m looking for. I pull on a grey button-down shirt and roll the sleeves up to my elbows. I was going to shave, but helping the new guests arrive took a little more time than I factored in.
This is Wyoming, and I am on a ranch, so I decide the last item I need for this meeting will be my cowboy hat. I place it on top of my head and smile at my reflection. I review my notes and write down a few last-minute ideas I’ve had for the ranch when I see the truck coming down the driveway. I jog down the stairs and push open the front door as Holden pulls up. I straighten my spine and put on my biggest welcoming smile as I jog over to them.
Holden kills the ignition and steps out, blocking the window so I can’t see the person they sent.
“Everything okay?” I whisper to him.
She pushes open the door, and one of her black heel-clad feet hits the ground, followed by the other. She walks around the front of the truck and stops next to Holden, looking up at me. Her face is covered by thick shades, and her long, thick blonde hair is softly curled and has been pushed behind her shoulders.
It can’t be.
My knees shake as I stare her down, willing her to take her shades off. I flit my eyes over her body, and damn, she does not disappoint. She’s wearing a pair of high black heels, a black fitted pencil skirt that shows off her ample hips, and a blue button-down with a little frill around the neckline, showing a small amount of cleavage.
My body pulls to hers like a magnet. I know this feeling. I have only felt it with one person in my entire life. I take a step closer to her, wanting to pull her into my arms and tell her how sorry I am, but the look of disdain on her face stops me cold in my tracks. She puts her sunglasses on the top of her head and locks her gaze to mine.
“Hello, Mr. Ellis. Eloise Quill sent me to meet with you in regards to redesigning new cabins.”
“Lana?” Her name is swept away with a breeze. I swallow and try again. “Lana, what are you doing here?”
She locks her jaw, takes a deep breath, and starts. “I thought I was perfectly clear. I’m here because you hiredQuill and Smith Designsto redo cabins on your ranch. If you would be so kind as to show me a cabin and the type of design you’re looking for, I’d be more than happy to get to work.” Her words are terse. I see her swallow hard, and I know she’s trying to keep her emotions together.
When I step into her space, her body is so close I can see the small tremble of her chin as she looks up at me.
“Mr. Ellis, the cabins?” she asks again, this time with much less vigor.
I don’t give a shit about the fucking cabins. Lana Robinson is back atBlack Stallion Ranch.This is a dream come true for me. I’ve imagined this happening so many times, and now it’s here, I can’t believe it. There hasn’t been anyone—not even Savannah—who made me feel the way Lana did. Like everything I want in life is a possibility and not a fantasy.
I reach out and grasp her upper arm, needing to know she’s real. Needing to know I didn’t conjure her in my mind. Her skin burns under my fingertips, and I want to pull her to my body and crash my lips down over hers. My heart is beating so hard in my chest I can barely contain it. This whole thing feels like a dream.
“Tristan. Let go of me,” she whispers.
