Page 121 of Maddox

As expected, his nostrils flared. He swaggered closer, the dark look in his eyes the same one that had both attracted and irritated the hell out of me from the beginning.

“Do I need to remind you who’s boss for a second time?”

His words thrilled me, more so than they should. Every time I shifted, I was reminded of his determined dominance over me. While the spanking had been more playful than anything, I continued to feel the effects of the brutal cracks of his hand.

A wave of desire swept through me. The man pushed every button in both the right and wrong directions, but I’d never felt so alive.

“Not a chance, mountain man.” He said nothing, finally turning his attention away from me and staring out the same window. “I’m curious. Why did you purchase the ranch?”

He scratched his head, his lips tight. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Well, you better figure it out. That might be holding you back on deciding what you want to do.”

After a few seconds, he moved beside me. “My uncle was a cattle rancher. When I was a kid, I was considered a delinquent, believe it or not.” He laughed and I could tell the memories were good ones. “My dad thought he’d offer some tough love since I was a mostly a city kid. He sent me to live there for the summer. I thought I had total freedom. Boy, was I wrong.”

“Tough man?”

“If anyone thought our drill sergeants were tough, they needed to experience living on a working ranch for three months. Let me tell you, I’ve never worked so hard in my life. Up at four in the morning, milking cows and slopping the barns, learning how to corral the cattle. By the time I dropped into bed at eight or nine, I was exhausted. My uncle didn’t allow me to get away with anything.”

“Sounds like it was good for you.”

“Yeah, it was. I also saw what happened when you get too attached to an animal. I witnessed them being taken to slaughter and I had nightmares for months afterwards. At least it taught me hard work paid off. I grew four inches and twenty-five pounds of muscle.”

“You purchased the ranch to ground you, to bring you back to your roots because you felt out of control.”

“I was. After getting out of the Navy, I worked odd jobs, never staying in one place but so long. I’m not proud of it, but I fell into the bottle, the haze lasting for years. One morning I woke up after consuming almost a bottle of bourbon and knew I needed a change. I saw an ad for the ranch and bought it. Now, here we are.”

“What do you think?”

He laughed. “I think we need to get back before it gets dark, and stop being a psychologist. I’ve had enough of that shit to last a lifetime.”

I pouted my lips on purpose. “Here’s the thing. Whether or not you feel overwhelmed with owning the ranch, it’s already brought you peace. You dealt with so much guilt for so many years that your psyche knew you needed a reminder of who you are as a man. That’s what being a journalist does for me. I feel whole when I can bring something to light or provide assistance to an organization that doesn’t have anyone fighting for them. While I had no clue what I was doing by getting in the middle of Alfaro’s regime, I need to see the story through. I don’t do well running from my responsibilities.”

The way he studied me sent a shiver down my spine. With his hand cupping my cheek, he lowered his head. “The answer is still no. Too dangerous.”

As he backed away, I took a deep breath. I knew he was looking out for my best interest, but I was too far along on the article to stop where I was. Maybe it wouldn’t leave my computer, but at least I felt better by putting the notes I’d written in a single document.

Then again, I was a very naughty girl.

“Hmmm… The ranch suits you. Maybe you just need to get a dog to keep you company.” The hint of sarcasm wasn’t lost on the powerful man.

His eyes lit up. “Maybe you’re right. Or maybe there’s something else I can do.”

“What’s that?”

“Purchase a cage to keep you from getting yourself in the middle of more trouble.”

When I gave him the finger, he swatted my bottom.

For once in my life, I felt something bigger than myself and it was all because of a rugged, crusty on the outside man who just happened to have a heart of gold.

The very one I’d fallen hopelessly, desperately in love with.

CHAPTER 30

Maddox

“Stop!”

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