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“Okay, it was about feelings, but not my feelings for you.”
“I know that. You were hurting.”
“Yeah, I was and you were there. Easy. Convenient. Beautiful.”
Callie’s eyes grew round with stunned surprise and then they squeezed shut. “Oh.”
Tagg cursed under his breath.
She squeezed her eyes even tighter as if to ward off the pain he’d just caused. When she opened them she nodded quickly. “Got it.”
“I didn’t say that right.” He felt like a heel and hated every second of this conversation. Moments like this one were the reason he didn’t get involved with women anymore.
“Oh, no. You made yourself perfectly clear.”
Callie refused to look at him. She stared straight ahead, her body as rigid as an ancient statue. Tagg put the Jeep in gear and drove toward the Worth stables. About five minutes into the ride, Callie shocked him when she began making small talk, seemingly fully recovered from his callous words. “You know I went to Boston College for four years. I only came home for short summer stays and holidays.”
“Yeah, I know.” He glanced at her. She appeared more relaxed and looked him square in the eyes.
“You know?”
He shrugged. “Nothing’s a secret in a small town. We all thought The Hawk’s only child couldn’t wait to get as far away from him as possible.”
“He’s not that bad, Tagg. He loves me. And I love him. But I really liked having a life without a lot of meddling.”
“Can’t imagine he could do too much meddling from over two thousand miles away.”
“He managed some, but overall my stay in Boston was wonderful. It’s a very quaint city in many regards.”
“So why did you come back?”
“I missed Arizona. I missed the ranch. Silly me, I’m not a city girl after all. And my father had a little health scare. He’s really the only family I have. Except for my mother’s side. I have an aunt and a cousin who live in Reno.”
The Jeep barreled over some rough patches in the road and tossed them both forward. On instinct, Tagg threw his arm across Callie’s body to keep her from hitting the dashboard. The back of his hand connected with her chest as he pressed her back to safety. His knuckles grazed her breast and met with resistance, the contrast of firm giving way to soft, so female, so Callie, that his blood pressure elevated. Instant images flashed in his head of touching her there, pressing his lips to her perfect pink tips and filling his mouth with her taste.
He swallowed down and slid her a glance. “You okay?”
Her lips curved up in a soft smile that unnerved him. A smile that seemed to suggest touch me anytime, take me anywhere. “Yes.”
He turned to face the road and kept on driving, obliterating that memory, denying the inviting look on her expression and refusing to acknowledge that he was damned attracted to Callie Sullivan.
Three
Callie bounded out of Tagg’s vehicle, keeping her spirits up. Tagg’s cutting words a few minutes ago had hurt, but she couldn’t let them discourage her. She’d known Tagg was a loner when she’d approached him that night. She’d known about his past heartache. She couldn’t expect him to claim undying love for her at this point, not when he’d been wallowing in grief for years.
They’d had a great night of sex in Reno. But she also believed that it wasn’t just sizzle between the sheets. Tagg had been sweet and thoughtful during that time and they’d talked and shared intimacies that she’d always remember, in between their bouts of lovemaking.
She hadn’t planned on conceiving his child that night. But she’d never say that her baby was a mistake. She wanted this child, now more than ever. She knew she was on shaky ground at the moment. The quake that was Taggart Worth could topple a less determined woman. But Callie had nothing to lose and everything to gain so she wouldn’t allow Tagg’s sharp tongue to stop her.
Once they arrived at the stables, just a stone’s throw from the Worths’ main house, Callie got out of the car and crossed to the corral to take a look at half a dozen horses.
“Not those,” Tagg said. “They’re too high-strung.”
Callie could tell that already, just by their stance, the way they held their heads and the way they seemed too aware of their surroundings. Like they were ready to bolt any second. Callie nodded. “They’re spirited.”
“Our best cutting horses,” Tagg said, nodding in the direction of another corral behind the stable. “Over here.”
Callie followed Tagg as he marched over to another fenced-off arena. He opened the gate and entered. At least six horses were scattered about. He waited for Callie to walk through the gate and then closed it behind her. Upon entering, a few of the horses lifted their heads, giving them a casual perusal before going back to grazing. The others didn’t seem to notice them, or if they did, they didn’t seem to care.
“I think we’ve found our candidates,” Callie said, approaching a light chestnut mare whose coat gleamed under the afternoon sun. The horse looked healthy and didn’t seem to spook easily. Callie knew enough to move slowly, especially when advancing on an animal that didn’t know you. “Hey, girl,” she said. “What’s your name?”
Tagg strode to her side. “This here is Sunflower. She’s done her part on the ranch.”
Callie studied the horse. She had kind eyes. “She’s what, ten or eleven?”
Tagg nodded. “She’s eleven.”
Callie stroked along her nose, all the while looking into Sunflower’s eyes. “She might be a good choice. She’s not too tall, either, and she’s a good age. I’d like to spend some time with her. Maybe take her for a ride. See how she does out in the open.”
“Good idea.” Tagg nodded. He walked toward a black gelding with four white socks and a long white stripe along his nose. “This here is Tux.”
She grinned and acknowledged, “Because of his black-and-white coloring.”
Tagg stroked the horse’s mane. “Yeah. He was so fine in his day. He’s about twelve now. I used to ride him when I came home from the rodeo. He’s got a lot of life left in him.”
Callie walked over to Tux, admiring him. “Do you trust him?”
Tagg looked the horse over and nodded. “About as much as I trust any one thing. Which sometimes isn’t all that much. I want to take him out and see how he does.”
Callie wondered about Tagg’s comment. Was he only speaking about horses? Or did he have other issues with trust. “Today?”
Tagg glanced at her. “No, not today. Since Clay’s put me in charge, I’d better get back to Penny’s Song before too long. We’ll have to do it another day.”
“Okay.” Callie glanced at the rest of the horses in the corral and found some to be far too old and lazy, some to be a little bit too jumpy. Tagg agreed, doing a calculated assessment, much the way Callie had.
“Let’s take a quick look in the stable,” Tagg suggested. “Might as well see them all while we’re here.”
Callie followed behind Tagg and wished she’d been a little quicker in her stride. Because the view from here was too darn good. His dark hair, jutting out from under his hat and curling at his nape, made her wish she had free reign to run her fingers through those thick strands. Wide shoulders tapered down to a waist that accented slim hips and a perfect male butt. Taggart Worth fit into his jeans like nobody’s business.
With an unsteady breath, Callie sighed as she moved from bright sunlight to near darkness inside the stable. It took a while for her eyes to adjust. Once they did, she spotted Tagg inside a stall beside an old mare. She looked gaunt and weary. “This here is Sadie. She was … mine.”
Tagg looked at the mare with admiration and devotion. Something soft and warm tugged at Callie’s heart. She’d never seen Tagg’s emotions so raw, so real. His eyes gleamed with pure love. He spoke softly to the mare, stroking her, and Callie kept her distance for the time being, allowing the two of them to reconnect.
After a moment, Tagg added, “She’d probably be good around children. She’d welcome the attention and I think the kids would love her.”
The way you do, Callie wanted to say.
“She’s not too long for this world.” The horse nuzzled his neck playfully, looking more alive.
“She heard that. She’s gonna prove you wrong.”
He glanced at the mare. “Maybe. We’ll try her out and see how she holds up.”
Callie stepped closer to Tagg, removing the distance between them. “The horse I had growing up is gone. I wish I still had her.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Callie spoke softly. “I was only eight when she was born. I watched her birth. I’d seen other mares foal, but this time it was special for me. I knew the little filly entering into the world that day would be mine. My daddy promised and I had to swear to take care of her myself. I was eager to do it. When she struggled up on those skinny little legs to take her first steps in the barn, I cried. It was love at first sight.” Callie smiled and glanced at Tagg.
He’d moved closer to her, too. She saw another gleam in his eyes. This time aimed at her. Sadie moved back a step but the slight rustling of straw didn’t interrupt, didn’t suspend the intense look on Tagg’s face. It didn’t stop his approach. “Tell me more.”
“Her name was Jasmine. Named after the fairy-tale princess. I had visions of flying off on a magic carpet with her.”
Tagg smiled. “Or she’d fly you around on her back.”
“A little girl’s daydreams can’t be messed with.” She relished the smile Tagg offered her. He was so darn handsome … still her fantasy man.
The light was dim in the stable and cool enough when she’d first walked inside, but now the stable heated up and familiar musky scents of earth and straw closed in on her. She stood toe-to-toe with Tagg. “I don’t suppose you had daydreams.”
Tagg seared her with a hot glance and arched his brow. “I’m having one now.”
She looked at his mouth with longing. She wanted him. She always had. “So am I, Tagg,” she said, breathless.
Tagg reached one hand out and pulled her close. She flowed easily toward him. His mouth came down on hers in a rush of heat. Instantly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and put everything she had into returning the kiss. Weeks of yearning, desire and uncertainty all rolled up into one ignited when his mouth met hers. A deep rugged groan escaped Tagg’s throat and fueled those flames as their bodies brushed. The magnetic pull was something neither could fight. It was just there, driving them closer.
Tagg deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and wetting her lips with his tongue. She parted for him immediately, inviting his tongue inside her mouth. Holding her breath, she prepared for the onslaught, the intense mating that swept fiery heat through her body.
Tagg pulled at her hips, jutting them up against his. His erection pulsed between their clothes, solid and strong.
“Oh,” she moaned, barely able to breathe. She gave herself up to him, to the power of his kiss. She went weak-kneed and Tagg’s strong grip was all that held her upright. He put his arms around her waist and then in one quick move, removed the rubber band from her hair. The strands were released, and he shoved his fingers through, spreading her hair out.
She thought to do the same to him, remembering her wish of just minutes ago. She grabbed his hat and tossed it aside, garnering a deep-rooted chuckle from him. Then, as he continued to kiss her, she ran her fingers into his long dark locks, playing with his hair just as she’d fantasized.
Callie pulled back just enough to catch her breath. “Easy?”
Tagg’s lips curled up. “Anything but.”
He continued to kiss her.
She pulled back slightly one more time. “Convenient?”
Another chuckle. “You’ve got to be kidding.” He swept his tongue one last time inside the hollows of her mouth before breaking the kiss and flashing her a sincere look. “But beautiful is a fact.”
Callie smiled and breathed out, “Thank you.”
Tagg reached for her again, but voices from ranch hands approaching outside stopped him. Instantly, he stepped away and grabbed his hat from the ground. With a look of regret, he darted a glance her way and plopped his Stetson onto his head. The ranch foreman appeared in the sunlit line of vision from the wide stable door and Tagg cleared his throat. “Let’s get out of here,” he said, keeping his voice down.
She saw him reach for her hand and then think better of it.
With their arms to their sides, they walked out of the stable together and got into the Jeep. Tagg waved to the men who’d returned to the stable area without stopping to talk.
They drove back to Penny’s Song in silence. She was grateful for the quiet ride. At least Tagg wasn’t telling her how that kiss shouldn’t have happened. At least he wasn’t denying that something drew them together like a force of nature.
Callie could only hope that she was making headway with Tagg.
She’d caught him in a weak moment, is all, Tagg thought as he pulled up to Penny’s Song. One minute it had all been about Clay’s request to find horses. Then he’d seen Sadie and gotten sentimental. There was nothing worse than having a woman see you when you’re vulnerable. And then Callie’s soft looks of understanding and commiseration did him in.
The kiss just happened. And he wasn’t going to apologize for it. He wasn’t going to deny it was good. Hell, it had been great. But Callie was a dangerous woman to be around and the one thing he swore he wouldn’t do was to get involved with her. He wouldn’t forget who she was, or who he was. He’d already had his one chance at love and had blown it.
He climbed out of the vehicle and walked around to the other side, but Callie had already opened the door herself. She got out and they looked at each other. Tagg spoke first before she said something he didn’t want to hear. “I’d better check on the workmen. See if they need anything. Are you sticking around here?”
“For a little while. I have some things I want to finish up.”
“Okay, then. I’ll let you get to your work. See ya.” He tipped his hat.
He’d only gotten a few feet away before Callie called him back. “Tagg?”
He turned around, bracing himself for what she had in mind. He didn’t like to analyze things the way most women did. He’d kissed her. It was great. Period. He doubted it would ever happen again. “Yeah?”
“I think we did a good job picking out the horses today.”
“Yeah. We did.”
“I’d still like to ride Sunflower. I’ll ask Clay if I can do that tomorrow.”
Tagg scrubbed his jaw. “Don’t think I can make it to morrow.”
She frowned and shook her head. “I’m not asking you on a date, for heaven’s sake. I can ride the mare without you and make a determination on my own.”
He held his expression blank to keep from blinking his surprise. Callie had put him in his place. “Okay, the sooner we accomplish that, the better.”
“That’s what it’s all about.” Tousled, well kissed and rosy cheeked, she faced him from a few feet away. He’d put that look on her pretty face. Sensations whirled. Unsettling possessive instincts took hold in his gut. He stood there for several minutes, well after she’d turned on her heels and walked away.
Jed Barlow rode up on his horse and dismounted just a few feet away. “Hey, Tagg. I’m glad I found you here. Clay thought you might be available for the game tonight. Diamondbacks are playing. Then after the game, we’ll be happy to take your money at the poker table. We need to fill a seat. Brett Williamson’s daughter is getting married, so he’s out of commission for the week.”
Baseball and poker were just what he needed to take his mind off Callie for the night. He wasn’t a regular, but when the boys needed a substitute, Tagg didn’t mind filling in. “Sure. Why not?”
“All right then. We’ll see you at seven.” Jed led his horse toward the stable, but turned after taking just a few steps. “Hey, was that Callie Sullivan I saw you jawing with just a minute ago?”
“Yeah, that was Callie.”
“Never thought I’d see her around here.”
Jed had gone to the same high school as the Worths. His father owned a small ranch ten miles north of their property. After years of struggling, unable to compete with the bigger ranches in the area, Kent Barlow quit the cattle business. The Worths had always liked the Barlows and Clay hired Jed straightaway. He knew ranching like the back of his hand. He’d been a trusted employee going on five years now. “That makes two of us,” Tagg answered.
“She sure is pretty.”
Tagg nodded. He didn’t need a reminder.
