Page 77 of A Rancher's Bride
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That night was a first for Luke.
It wasn’t that his ex-fiancée had never been in his house, but when he thought back, he realized she’d rarely stayed the night. Rarely been around other than for a few hours or because they’d stopped in on the way to an event.
Kelli? She filled his house with more life and energy than any one person should possess.
It was right to have her there, sitting kitty corner to him as they went over the notes from their time at the gala. They put together a list of potential follow-ups for the next day, and the next week, and the next month.
Working together like partners, and maybe that was a big part of what had been missing in his previous relationship. Spending time with Kelli was right, and natural, and easy in all the good ways.
He had a hard time wiping the grin off his face at how good and right and easy it was.
And the sexual chemistry they had going on? Off the fucking charts. Temptation slipped in between one breath and the next, derailing whatever they were doing to shoot the agenda in a completely different direction.
Like when he’d leaned over her shoulder to see what she’d written on her notepad. It was far too easy to drop a little closer and nuzzle against her neck.
Aroused and distracted, hehadto kiss that one spot. Which led to another kiss, and another until Kelli dropped all pretense of work and turned. The next thing he knew they were headed to his bedroom, paperwork forgotten until the next day.
That night she fell asleep in his arms and he found himself listening to the sound of her breathing, and it was easy to feel like this was coming home. This was right.
She still had shifts to work according to Ashton’s schedule, which meant the next day she was the one kissing him sweetly at four a.m., before evading his grasp and sliding from bed.
Kelli held him to his promise and took over training Chili Pepper. Three days later, Luke rested his arms on the rail and watched as she leaned over the saddle, arms hanging on either side of the filly’s neck as Kelli drooped like a rag doll.
“I guess that position makes hitting the ground a little easier,” he teased.
Kelli’s head was turned toward him, and she stuck out her tongue briefly but remained silent, patting Pepper carefully on the withers before tapping with her heels to get the mare moving again.
One of the hands who had been spotting Kelli as she worked stepped up and joined him at the rail. Alex eyed Kelli before looking Luke over with great curiosity.
“So,” Alex said.
That was it. Funny how many questions could be put into one word depending on the tone of voice. This one had held both a warning and awhat the fuck?
“Yes?” Luke had seen the hands looking them over with interest, wondering what exactly was going on. He had no plans of hiding their relationship, but as he’d pointed out to Ashton, this wasn’t anyone’s business except his and Kelli’s.
Alex leaned an elbow on the fence. “I figure because you’re still breathing, that Kelli’s on board, but just so you know, we’re keeping an eye on you. Me, and the rest of the crew.”
Luke was tempted to use Kelli’s pet phrase and spout off agood grief, but he was more entertained than upset.
Besides, there was no use getting indignant. Whether they liked it or not, he and Kelli had the starring positions in the Silver Stone romance of the season.
So he tipped his hat back and looked Alex over, keeping his expression as stonelike as possible. “Good for you.”
Alex’s lips twitched. “If she decides she wants an upgrade, a dozen or so guys are ready to dig a deep hole.” Kelli might not have parents around, but she sure as hell had a ton of family on her side.
Luke offered Alex his hand. “You ever feel a need to dig that hole, I’ll come and lie in it willingly.”
Alex laughed as he smacked Luke on the shoulder. He glanced into the arena where Kelli was still draped over Pepper’s back.
“By the way, what’d you do to her? Fuck her boneless?” Alex asked.
“I heard that,” Kelli said with a snap as she slid off Pepper’s back, rotating smoothly until she stood beside the horse, lead in hand.
“I hope so. No matter what weird shit you were up to, it shouldn’t have involved your ears.”
She snickered before forcing a glare. “Be careful about teasing someone who knows the womanyou’redating,” she warned.
