Chapter Ten

Killian entered the barn and then the feed room. He kept the feed in bins. He lifted the lid, dipped a bucket into it and scooped the feed into the bucket. Then he headed to a stall, fed the horse, and repeated it until all seven were fed and had fresh water.

He looked in each stall to see the horses eating, then he strode back to the house, and made his way to the back door. He was glad he had a driveway put in to go around the back. He didn’t want to track through the living room when he entered the house after work. It was hard to tell what would be on the bottom of his boots, so he decided to add steps to the back deck, and the driveway for parking.

When he entered the house, he didn’t see Celine in the kitchen or living room. Frowning, he wondered if she was in the bathroom, but as he walked along the hallway, he could smell vanilla candles burning and grinned.

He entered the bedroom to see her standing in the center of the room, wearing nothing but one of his T-shirts. He walked toward her and pulled her into his arms. The room was dimly lit, casting shadows on the walls as they stood in the center, locked in a passionate embrace. Their bodies were pressed tightly against each other, their hearts pounding in sync as they explored each other with hungry kisses.

He slid his hands down her back, cupping her ass and pulling her closer still. She moaned into his mouth, the sound sending a jolt of lust straight to his groin. He could feel himself growing hard, his cock straining against his jeans as she pressed her hips against him.

She broke away from their kiss and stared into his eyes. She slid down to her knees, her eyes never leaving his, and he watched as she slowly undid the snap of his jeans. and pulled down the zipper, and he felt a shiver of anticipation run down his spine.

She hooked her fingers into the waistband of them and pulled them down, freeing his cock. It sprang up, hard and thick, and she looked at it with lust in her eyes. She leaned forward, her hot breath teasing the tip, and he groaned as she flicked her tongue over the sensitive head.

She took him into her mouth, her lips wrapping around his shaft as she sucked him deep. He inhaled sharply, his hands tangling in her hair as she worked her magic. She was relentless, her mouth moving up and down his length as she took him deeper.

He could feel the tension building in his body, the pleasure coursing through him as she sucked and licked and teased. He was on the edge, as he fought to hold back his release. But she was merciless, her mouth working him over until he couldn’t take it any longer.

With a groan, he pulled her to her feet, his arms wrapped around her as they sank onto the bed. He moved over her and slid inside her, both groaning at the pleasure. Killian pressed his lips to hers as he took her harder. When she cried out into his mouth, he gave in and came .

As their breathing slowed, he rolled onto his back, and pulled her closer, his lips finding hers in a gentle, loving kiss. They lay there, tangled in each other’s arms, basking in the afterglow of their passionate encounter. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated pleasure, one that would stay with them forever.

“Damn it, I didn’t wear a condom,” he said.

“It’s alright. I’m on birth control.”

“I’m glad. I don’t want anything between us again.” He kissed her forehead. “God, that was great, darlin’.”

“It was. I’ve been horny all day,” she said then laughed when he did.

“I love you, Celine.”

“I love you too. I need to get a shower.”

“Okay, do you mind if I join you?”

Celine got up, put her hand out toward him, and he took it. He stood, kissed the palm of her hand, then led her into the bathroom.

Later, they sat on the sofa watching a movie. Celine was snuggled against him, and he never wanted to let her go.

“Did you find the sheep?”

“I think so. I’ll talk to Dave on Monday about going back to the property.”

“You said someone gave you a tip?”

“Yes, most of us have a confidential informant. Sometimes they find information on what we’re looking for. Sometimes they don’t. We have to be careful because some of them don’t care if they send you on a wild goose chase.”

“How do you know though?”

Killian shrugged. “We don’t.”

“Your job is dangerous. ”

“Yes, it is. I’m careful.”

“I know.” She sat up and stared at him. “I want you to know I would never ask you to choose.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been doing it for years. Yes, it’s dangerous, but it’s very fulfilling in helping a rancher or farmer get their livestock back, and if we can’t, but find the thieves, that helps them too. Rustling is high. People do things they usually wouldn’t when they feel they don’t have a choice.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

“Exactly. Hey, would you like to go for a ride tomorrow? I haven’t had any time to look at the land.”

“I’d love to.” She yawned. “I’m tired.”

“Me too. Let’s head to bed, sweetheart.”

She nodded as he stood, took her hand, helped her up, and led her to the bedroom.

The following morning, they entered the barn with the dogs following them. Killian entered a room, returned carrying a hat, and put it on her head. She smiled at him.

“Pick a horse, other than the chocolate palomino,” Killian said.

“Why can’t I ride the that one?”

“Because he’s mine.”

“They’re all yours.”

Killian turned to face her. “He’s the one I ride. Pick another one.”

“Oh, my God. This is worse than the way you are with your truck.”

“Celine…”

“I’m teasing you. I’ll take the Paint with the blue eyes.”

“Good choice.”

“Sure, it’s a good choice because I didn’t choose the chocolate palomino.”

“Are you trying to start a fight?”

“Well, we could make up if I were.”

He shook his head, entered a room and came back out carrying a saddle and blanket. He placed them over a rail, then went back into the room again, and brought out another saddle and blanket.

“Which saddle is yours? I don’t want to overstep.” She bit her lip when he sighed and hung his head, then he raised it and looked at her.

“They’re both mine, but I use the darker one the most.”

Celine shrugged. “Okay.”

He opened the gate on the stall the Paint was in, then he led the horse close to the rail. He put the blanket on the horse’s back, then the saddle. He looked at Celine and motioned for her to come to the horse.

“Do you need a leg up?” he asked.

“I might. The stirrups look a little far down.”

“Because they’re adjusted for me. I’ll help you on then adjust them for you.”

“Thank you.”

He helped her mount the horse, then adjusted the stirrups for her. He looked up at her and touched her knee.

“Okay?”

“Yes.”

He saddled his horse, vaulted onto the saddle, and nudged the horse with his knees .

“Just nudge her with your knees, she should follow behind just fine.”

“Okay. Lead the way.”

Killian nodded, then they rode the horses out of the barn and through the field beside the house. The dogs ran in front of them.

“What’s this beauty’s name?” Celine asked.

“Sierra.”

“Hello, Sierra. You are a beautiful girl.” Celine rubbed the horse’s neck. “What’s the palomino’s name?”

“Mocha.”

“Okay. He’s so handsome with his dark color and blonde tail and mane.”

“He’s a good horse.”

Celine nodded even though she knew Killian didn’t see her. She stared at his broad back astride the horse. He looked so at home in that saddle.

“How long have you been riding?”

“My father would put me on his horse with him when I was still in diapers.”

“Wow, that long ago?” She bit her lip when he stopped his horse and looked over his shoulder at her.

“I’m sorry, was that a dig at my age? You’re not far behind me.”

“Four years, but that doesn’t matter. You’re the one on the wrong side of forty.” She watched him shake his head, then nudged the horse to go.

Celine grinned as she thought about spending the day with him. She hated it when the weekends were over. She loved being with him.

“Do you want to do anything tonight, or just be lazy?” she asked.

“That’s up to you. I’m good either way.”

“How about we just stay here and watch movies?”

“I’m okay with that, darlin’. Whatever you want to do is fine. We can go out or we can stay home.”

“Are you too tired to go out?”

He reined the horse to a stop, turned in the saddle, and looked at her.

“No. Are you?”

“Nope, but I’d like to stay home.”

“Okay, we can do that.”

“Great.”

They rode over a knoll and stopped the horses.

“That pond is gorgeous,” Celine said as she stared at the sun reflecting off the water.

“I didn’t even know I had another pond,” Killian said with a grin.

“We could skinny dip.”

He looked at her. “Do you think I wouldn’t?”

She laughed. “I have no doubt you would.”

He grinned. “But would you ?”

She glanced around. “I don’t like the idea that someone could see me.”

“There shouldn’t be anyone around.”

“ Shouldn’t be, doesn’t mean there won’t be.”

“Excuses, excuses,” he said.

“Maybe tomorrow.”

“Yeah, right. Let’s head back. I’m getting hungry.”

“Me too.”

“Okay.” He turned his horse, looked at her, then nudged the horse into a run, leaving her watching him disappear .

“Oh! You think I can’t ride like that, Agent Doyle? You are in for a surprise.” She nudged Sierra into a run, but she couldn’t catch up to Killian. That horse was flying, and he didn’t budge as he sat in the saddle. She’d been riding for a few years, but she knew she’d never be that good.

She rode into the barn to see him walking Mocha to cool him down. She narrowed her eyes at Killian but he just grinned.

Celine dismounted, then walked Sierra to cool her down too. As she headed toward Killian, she stepped in front of him, kissed his lips, then moved on.

“Thanks,” he said.

“You’re welcome. I like kissing you.”

“I like you kissing me too.”

She laughed as she headed toward the back barn doors. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled as she watched him walking away. Those jeans sure hugged him in the right places.

Sunday afternoon, she drove home and hated leaving Killian, but she liked to relax at home the night before she had to work. As much as she’d love to stay with him all day, she didn’t like the idea of leaving later in the day and driving home.

When she arrived home, she parked her vehicle, got out, and entered the house. She sighed once she entered and removed her shoes. No matter how much they didn’t do this weekend, she was tired.

All she wanted to do was take a relaxing bath, put a T-shirt and her lounge pants on and do absolutely nothing the rest of the evening until it was time for bed. She did hate not sleeping with Killian, but she knew she’d see him the next weekend and they always messaged each other during the week. Sometimes he’d come into the shop just to see her.

As she was about to go upstairs, a knock sounded on her door. With a frown, she walked toward the door and figured it was a neighbor since she hadn’t heard a vehicle.

When she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat upon seeing Blaine standing on her porch.

“Surprised to see me?” he asked, a smile on his face.

“What are you doing here?” She placed her hand on the door, ready to shut it.

“I’ve been searching everywhere for you, Celine. Can I come in?”

“No. What do you want?”

“I want to talk to you.”

“We have nothing to say to each other. Not now. Not ever.” She went to close the door, but he blocked it with his foot.

“Please? I just want to talk to you.”

“There is nothing you can say that I want to hear.”

“Come on, Celine. I know what I did was wrong, but I want to make things right between us. I still love you.”

“You don’t treat someone you love like that,” she retorted.

“I said I was sorry. Please,” he pleaded.

She glanced across the street to see Mrs. Smith’s curtains moving and knew the elderly woman wasn’t missing a thing.

Celine sighed. “Only for a few minutes.” She opened the door, and he stepped inside.

“Thank you.” He looked around, then smiled at her. “This is a nice place. Can we sit?”

She sighed, then nodded. He sat on the sofa, but she sat in the rocking chair by the window. Nice place? What the hell?

“Celine, I know the way I treated you was wrong, and I cannot apologize enough, but I’ve been seeing a therapist and I’m on medication.” He smiled. “It’s helped me tremendously.”

“I’m happy to hear that, but—”

“Please, I love you.”

“Blaine, I’m sorry, but I don’t love you anymore.”

“Who’s the man you’re seeing?”

“That is none of your business.”

“Is it serious?”

“I’m in love with him.”

“I see.” He stood and she quickly got to her feet.

“I’m sorry to hurt you, Blaine, but it’s best if you go back to Spokane. It’s been over a year since we’ve been together, and you need to move on. Like I have.”

“Celine, I am not giving up on you yet. I’ll stick around for a while.”

“Please don’t cause problems.”

“I’ve changed, Celine, and I want to show you. I want you to at least think about us being together.”

Celine shook her head, opened the door, and gestured for him to go. But when he tried to kiss her, she pulled away. Blaine sighed, but still touched her face before leaving. Celine closed the door and leaned against it, praying that he would just leave town. She wanted nothing to do with him and knew she couldn’t tell Killian about his visit yet. It might be wrong, but she hoped Blaine would disappear before Killian found out about him being here.

By Tuesday, Celine was a bundle of nerves waiting for Blaine to show up, but she hadn’t heard from or seen him since their encounter. She could only hope that he was truly gone for good.

When Wednesday arrived, she knew she’d been wrong as she watched Blaine enter the shop. With a heavy sigh, she made her way to her office and hoped he hadn’t seen her.

“I am not to be disturbed,” she whispered to Ainsleigh as she passed her, then entered her office and sat behind her desk. She prayed that Blaine would leave but she wasn’t sure if he’d seen her or not.

A few minutes later, a knock sounded on her door, but she didn’t say anything.

“Celine?” Ainsleigh called through the door.

Celine sighed with relief. “Come in.”

Ainsleigh entered the office. “A man asked for you, but I told him you weren’t here. Was that alright?”

“It’s fine. As long as it wasn’t Killian.”

Ainsleigh smiled. “No, it was a man named Blaine. He said to tell you he’d see you later.”

“Not if I can help it,” she muttered, then looked at her employee. “Thank you. I am not interested in talking to him at all.”

“Okay. He kind of gave me a bad vibe, so that’s why I said you weren’t here instead of you weren’t to be disturbed. ”

“I appreciate that, Ainsleigh. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Ainsleigh smiled. “You’ll never find out.”

Celine grinned. “I sure hope that’s true. I think I’ll stay back here today unless we get really busy.”

“Alright. I’ll let you know.”

“Oh, Ainsleigh, if Killian comes by—”

“I know. Let him in,” she said then left the office.

Celine had some of the best employees a boss could ask for. She placed her hands over her face and groaned. What was she going to do about Blaine? She couldn’t continue to hide from him. He knew where she worked and lived. Why was he even coming around? She had hoped he would take the hint when she told him she was in love with Killian, but for some reason, Blaine thinks he can convince her to take him back.

“That will not happen,” she murmured.

By the end of the day, she was a wreck. What if she went home and Blaine was there waiting for her? He had to know she wasn’t interested. Even if she wasn’t involved with Killian, there was no way she’d go back to Blaine. She couldn’t risk it. He seemed genuinely contrite about his past, but she also knew that, sometimes people go off their medications for whatever reason. She was sure he was fine while he took it, but she was too afraid to see him go back to his old ways. But the main reason was, she just didn’t love him anymore. Killian was the man she wanted to spend her life with.

Friday, after leaving for the weekend, she got into her car and drove to Killian’s place. She didn’t even go home on Fridays since she knew they would be spending the weekend together.

As she drove along the winding blacktop, she glanced into her rearview mirror and saw a car following her.

“They’re just going the same way. Stop being paranoid, Celine,” she chastised herself.

But when the car got closer, she could see Blaine behind the wheel. Blowing out a breath, she pulled onto the shoulder of the road, and he parked behind her.

She opened the door, walked back to his car, and when he opened the door to step out, she pushed the door closed.

“Do not get out! This has to stop. Go home, Blaine.”

“Damn, Celine. You didn’t have to push the door closed.”

“You’re damn lucky I didn’t kick it shut. I am done dealing with you. I want you to leave me alone from now on. Go back to Spokane. Find someone new. Because I have moved on and you will not ruin this for me.” With that, she marched back to her car, got inside, checked for traffic, and drove off, throwing gravel up behind her, and without giving Blaine a second glance.

****

Killian smiled when he drove around the back of the house to see Celine’s vehicle. It was nice coming home to her.

After stepping from his truck, he climbed the steps, wondering why the dogs hadn’t come running out. With a shrug, he opened the back door and entered the kitchen.

“Celine?”

“In here. We’re watching All Dogs Go to Heaven .”

“We’re?” he murmured, then entered the room and laughed. All four dogs were on the sofa with her. “Hell, my dogs don’t even greet me anymore.”

“I’d get up to greet you, but they’re too comfortable.”

“I can see that. I’m going to grab a shower. I won’t be long.” He leaned over the back of the sofa and kissed her lips.

“Okay. We’ll be right here.”

Later, after eating sandwiches for dinner, Killian and Celine relaxed on the sofa together. He had his legs on the sofa and she lay between them with her head on his chest.

“How about we go to Dewey’s tomorrow night? We haven’t been out for a while.” Killian kissed her forehead.

“I’d like that.”

After being lazy the rest of the following day, they showered and headed for the diner, then Killian drove them to Dewey’s, and parked.

“I haven’t been here for a while,” he said.

“I haven’t either. Not since the night I kissed you,” she said with a grin.

He grinned as he took her hand and led her inside the crowded bar. They pushed through the crowd, finally making it to the bar and found two empty stools, unfortunately someone sat on one between them.

“Excuse me, but would you mind moving to another stool, so and my date and I can sit together?” Killian politely asked.

The man looked at him, then at Celine, and nodded.

“Sure thing, man,” the man said as he slid over.

“I appreciate it.” Killian held onto Celine’s hand as she sat down on the stool, then Killian waved over a bartender.

“What can I get you?”

“Whatever’s on tap for me, a White Russian for my date, and give this man a drink on me, thanks.”

The man looked at Killian. “I appreciate that, but you didn’t have to do that.” He grinned. “But I will not turn it down.” He put his hand out to Killian, and they shook.

The band was good and loud. Celine sipped her drink and glanced around the bar. As usual, the place was packed. She smiled as she watched people dancing, then she thought she saw Blaine. She craned her neck to see if she actually saw him. When she spotted him, she was afraid she was going to be physically sick.

“Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Killian said.

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. What is it?”

“It’s nothing. I thought I saw someone, but I was wrong.” She smiled but couldn’t look at Killian.

When he didn’t say anything, she looked at him to see him staring at her.

“Celine don’t lie to me. I’ll tolerate a lot of things, but not lying.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. Seriously, it was nothing.”

“Okay.”

She leaned over and kissed his lips. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere, cowboy.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right here.”

Celine hopped off the barstool, made her way through the crowd, and entered the restroom. She stared into the mirror at her reflection. Damn it. Blaine was toying with her now.

She ran cold water over a paper towel and dabbed her face and neck with it. She had to calm down. What she really needed to do was get Killian and get the hell out of here before Blaine made a scene.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, stepped into the hallway and gasped when she saw Blaine leaning against the opposite wall.

“Blaine, please leave me alone.”

“I don’t want to do that. I want you to come home with me.” His clenched jaw told her he was angry.

“I will not go home with you,” she said through clenched teeth. “Get it through your fucking head, we are done.”

When she tried to walk past him, he grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

“We can work this out.”

“No, we cannot. Get your damn hand off me.”

Blaine pulled her closer.

“I think she said to get your damn hand off her.”

Celine closed her eyes and mentally groaned when she heard Killian’s voice and looked at him to see him staring at Blaine .

“I don’t think it’s any of your business, buddy.”

“First off, I’m not your buddy, and it is my business because she’s with me.”

“She was with you. Celine and I have a past, don’t we, honey?”

“A past?” Killian looked at Celine.

“This is… Blaine. He’s going back to Spokane soon,” she quickly added.

Celine knew Killian was beyond angry. His jaw clenched as he narrowed his eyes at her, then he stepped closer to Blaine.

“Get your fucking hand off her now.”

Blaine raised his hands and laughed, then looked at Celine. “We’ll talk soon.”

When he walked past Killian, he bumped into his shoulder, but Killian didn’t take his eyes off her.

“Killian—”

“We’re leaving,” he said, then turned and walked away from her.

Celine followed him as he stopped at the bar, paid the tab, then strode out the door. To say he was pissed was a huge understatement and she wondered what she could possibly say to make it better.

When he pulled up to the back of the house, he shut the truck off, stepped out, and she did the same, then followed him inside the house. She set her purse on the bar and watched as he sat on the bench, took off his boots, then stood and walked toward the living room.

Celine sighed, then walked into the living room. She saw him sitting in the recliner.

“Killian—” She stopped when he sat up, slamming the footrest closed and got to his feet.

“How many times have you talked to him? And don’t lie to me,” he snapped.

“He came by my house last weekend, then in the shop Wednesday, and he followed me one day, but I stopped and told him to leave me alone. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” he snarled.

“Killian…”

“Why did you lie to me?”

“Because I was hoping he’d leave.”

Killian scoffed. “You know how I feel about someone lying to me. What else haven’t you told me?”

“About what?”

“You tell me.”

“There’s nothing.”

Killian paced across the room, then back. His hands were on his hips, his lips were flattened, and his jaw was clenched. He was angry and she knew that anger was aimed at her.

“You lied when you told me you thought you saw someone but were wrong.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I never want to make you angry with me.”

He stopped pacing and stared at her. “Celine, the minute he showed up in Clifton, you should have told me. Lying by omission is still lying. I deal with people lying to me all day on my job.”

“I didn’t want to upset you.”

“What the fuck do you think I am now?”

“Just because I kept it from—”

“You did not just keep it from me. You fucking lied ,” he snapped.

Celine walked to the bedroom, picked up her overnight case, then walked back to the kitchen, and out the door, slamming it behind her.

As she got into her vehicle, she looked at the door, but he didn’t come out. With a sob, she started her vehicle and drove home .