Page 5 of Rancher's Rescue
“Is it bad?” She asked, her eyes squeezed closed.
“Maggie, I watched you deal with a cow that had cut its leg yesterday and now I’m half wondering if you’re going to pass out.” I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. As I lifted the towel off, the bleeding hadn't stopped.
“Yeah, that’s a cow, not my finger. Did I chop it off? Is it laying there in the lettuce?” I couldn’t stop the laughter that erupted from deep within me. God, it was good to laugh again.
“No, you’re still a fully together woman. Where are your bandages?” I watched her point to a drawer behind me. Shestill didn’t open her eyes. Turning, I pulled open the drawer and grabbed a bandage and ripped it open with my teeth. A pink bandage with tiaras all over it wasn’t what I’d expected. Removing the towel the bleeding had stopped, so I wrapped her finger and she opened her eyes. “All better.” I brought it to my lips and gently kissed it.
She gazed at me differently, her eyes focused on my lips, and she advanced a step towards me. Leaning down, I pressed my mouth to hers; her injured hand still in mine against my chest. She moved her free hand to the back of my neck and I grabbed her by the waist and pressed against her. Thundering footsteps down the stairs startled us and we took steps apart. Her cheeks were more flushed than they’d been earlier and she looked at me like she wanted to devour me.
“Kane, you’re here.” Marshall said as he wrapped his arms around my leg.
“I sure am, kiddo. Just like every night.” I picked him up, and he wrapped his little arms around my neck. Kit had gone to her mom and her arm was around her waist. I couldn’t get over how comfortable this was.
“Mom, what happened to your finger?” Marshall pointed at the bright pink bandage.
“Oh, I accidentally cut myself while chopping lettuce. Guess this other stuff can go to the chickens.” She smiled at Marshall.
“But you don’t like blood. You didn’t call for my help,” Kit said, looking up at her mother.
Maggie set the bowl down and wrapped her arms around her daughter. They were the spitting image of one another. Kit’s dark brown hair was the same color as Maggie’s and it had a slight curl to it. That always made it look a little out of control. “Kane was here when I cut my finger. He got me all fixed up.” Maggie looked from Kit to me and smiled. Kit looked a little disappointed. “You’re always going to be my nurse. You’re notout of a job yet, young lady.” This was all it took for the girl to smile brightly again.
“Is supper ready?” Marshall asked, as his stomach let out a horrendous growl.
“Yes, let’s eat,” Maggie said, smiling at her kids before looking at me. Her face softened before she licked her lips and bit the corner of her mouth. Putting Marshall down, he ran to the dining room.
“There’s more kisses if you’re interested.” I whispered as I reached for the slow cooker. I found myself pressed up against Maggie again, and this time I couldn't control my desire for her.
“I want them.” She whispered as she moved so she was completely against me.
Kissing her neck, I whispered, “good.”
She tucked the kids in bed after such a long day, and they didn't require much persuasion to go to sleep.. Maggie came back down the stairs and I held out a beer for her as she joined me on the couch. “Do you think tomorrow you could move your things to the spare room up here at the house? That cabin isn’t suitable for living in.” She took a drink before looking at me.
“I don’t want to cause waves. The bunk house is suitable enough for me.” I ran my thumb over her cut finger. “Kit seemed upset about this.”
“Since Jeremiah’s accident, I can’t handle blood. I know I need to get over it but I can't see it. I see the accident all over again as if it’s happening in real time. She’s been who I call when I need help. Like I said, animals don’t trigger it, just people, even something as small as a cut finger.” Maggie cuddled closer to me and I put my arm around her shoulders. “It won’t cause issues. As far as where you sleep, you worked at the Triple Eight ranch. Your bunkhouse was fancier than my home. I won’t have you living out there when I have a perfectly fine room. That’s empty here.”
“I will move up here.” She tilted her head and smiled. Again I captured her mouth with mine, but this time she had two free hands to wrap around my neck and I pulled her onto my lap so she straddled my legs.
Pulling away, she grinned. “How long has it been since you made out with someone?” Her eyes danced as she waited for my answer.
“To fucking long.” I growled and wrapped my hands in her hair and brought her back to my mouth.
CHAPTER FIVE
MAGGIE
Aweek had passed since I’d had coffee with Kristin and Nora, and all I could think of was sleeping with Kane. We’d made out almost every night, and I wanted to go further. He was an absolute gentleman, and I wanted him to stop treating me like a lady. But how did I make him see that?
I wasn’t sure where he’d gone after supper, but I needed to get out of the house. The kids were asleep, and I needed a walk. Heading to the barn. A ride might be better even. “I wondered if you would venture out here tonight.” His voice started me as I ran my hand over my horse’s rump. He stood from the other stall and smiled.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there. Am I interrupting?” Moving back toward the door, I watched him shake his head. This was crazy, it was my barn, I’d just sat on this man's lap and made out with him, now I was acting like I didn’t know who he was.
“No, you aren’t interrupting anything. I just noticed Dancer limping earlier, and I wanted to check her out. I was thinking about going up to the loft and watching the stars for a bit. Care to join me?” His voice was low, almost a husky whisper, and I couldn’t stop the tingling feeling happening that I’d only juststopped. It had been so long since I had felt anything like this. My head was saying I could go back to the house, but I found myself walking toward the ladder. The hay scrunched under me as I got closer to where he leaned against one of the support posts. Looking at him, I suddenly realized I craved his touch.
His face was only inches from mine. I stared at his lips. They were flawless, with a perfect blush. I was sure it was the color of my heated cheeks. Every time we had a moment alone, he pressed his lips against mine, but I missed them and wanted them back. Absent-mindedly, I licked my lips before looking back up into his dark brown eyes. As if I had telepathically communicated with him, Kane lowered his head and pressed those perfect lips against mine.
Sparks shot between us, and our tentative kiss evolved into a sensual moment that took my breath away. My head reeled, and I knew this was a line I shouldn’t keep crossing. He was my employee, sure we’d had a little fun, but this was different. I had kids in the house I needed to get back to. I loved my husband. I couldn’t be kissing another man.
