Chapter 4

"Is someone dying?" Jason turned over in bed and reluctantly opened his eyes.

"No."

"Is the house on fire?"

"Another no."

"Then there is no earthly reason for us to be up "he squinted at the bedside clock and turned to look at her in horror. "At the ungodly hour of four in the morning. Are you unwell?"

"I am going riding," Dani announced with a laugh. "And I would like you to accompany me."

"Not even under the threat of death and you know how much I adore you. Go back to bed and get your beauty rest, not that you need it."

"Exactly. The first scene we will be doing is on horseback and I need to get the lay of the land."

"We will do that at the civilized hour of nine or so."

"The sun will be high in the sky by then and the cowboys or whatever they are called will be streaming all over the place."

"Darling in case you have not done your research, they are up at the crack of dawn. That's what ranch life is about. They are probably gathered around some campfire grilling beans and eating moldy toast with coffee strong enough to singe the roof of your mouth."

Rolling her eyes at his disrespectful description, she tried to appeal to his instinct to try and protect her.

"What if I fall?"

"Then you get back up again." He stared at her with narrowed eyes "And you are the finest horsewoman I have ever seen."

"There might be coyotes or wolves."

"I have it on the best authority that there are no wolves and if there are coyotes, I am the last person you want to come to your rescue."

"I cannot believe you are making me go alone." She pouted at him, and he felt his heartstrings tugging.

"You are evil." He pointed out. "But the answer is still no. If you happen to get mauled by some vicious animal, I promise that I will mourn you forever. Now get out of my room and let me get back to my erotic dream of cowboys mounting me and losing control."

"You are sick." Rising, she pulled the sheets completely off him, not surprised to see that he was completely naked.

"I am not the one heading out in the middle of the night!" He called after her. "Be careful."

"Bite me."

With a husky laugh, he retrieved the sheets and pulled them up to his chin, taking only a minute to worry about her before closing his eyes.

*****

The wind was a little more than just cool. It was bordering on chilly, but she had dressed for it. The snug jacket clung to her curves and the plaid woolen shirt offered adequate warmth.

Her black leggings were warm enough and the knee-high riding boots were sufficiently broken in. Her hair – the thick dark brown length of it was scooped back from her face and secured with several thick elastic bands.

The horse that had been delivered to the farmhouse last night was not by any means docile, but he was not hard to handle. She had gone for about two miles when she gripped the reins and tugged gently, bringing the animal to a stop.

She was on a crest, the incline allowing her to take in the widespread land that seemed to go on forever. In the distance, she could just make out the glow of a fire. A smile touched her lips as she recalled Jason's version of what the men were doing now.

The sound of water gurgling over stones drew her attention to a stream a few feet away from her. Dismounting, she tied the reins to a stout sapling. Kneeling, she took off her gloves and sipped one hand in, shivering as the coldness of the stream hit her skin.

The sound of pounding hooves, had her rising quickly, her heart pounding a little as she wondered if this had been a good idea after all. She was miles away from any form of civilization after all.

Her breath whooshed out in relief when she realized that it was Taj Bryne, moving fluidly along with a horse of midnight black, except for the jagged line of white dead center on its face.

"Ms. Matthews." He brought the animal to a stop right in front of her, his hands settling on the cantle, a frown touching his brow. "What are you doing out here all by yourself?"

"I wanted to get a feel of the place. It's quite lovely and peaceful at this time of morning, isn't it?"

"And also dangerous." He shifted slightly in sadly as his horse moved restlessly beneath him. "There are more civilized times to go for a ride."

"Jason said the same thing."

"I am surprised he is not with you."

"I tried persuading him to come along, but he refused." Shaking her head, she put her foot into the stirrup and hauled herself up with surprising grace. "We will be doing a horseback scene at the start of the first scene, and I wanted to do some practicing. It's been a while since I have been on a horse."

"You appear to be a natural." He murmured, trying not to notice the snug fit of her jacket and the way her skin looked in the sliver of moon.

"I have been riding for quite some time. You are a cowboy."

"Am I supposed to answer that?"

"It was a rhetorical question. Being a cowboy means that you what? Rope steers and shoe horses."

His smile widened. "It's a little more than that."

"I have not seen any cattle, thank goodness."

"They are on the east of the property. What do you have against them?"

"They stink, and they look very stupid."

His eyes crinkled in amusement. "How do they look stupid?" he asked in fascination. He had work to do of course but had heard the pounding of hooves and came to investigate.

"They just do." She said with a shrug.

"The character you will be playing is that of a?"

"The daughter of a corrupt rancher and the wife of an even more corrupt husband who happens to be my father's right-hand man. I play this docile submissive wife and daughter who is so in love with the asshole she marries that she would do anything for him." She sent him a wry smile that had his pulse quickening.

"I am assuming that is not you."

"Hence the term acting. It is the opposite of who I am and playing the corrupt husband is not who Jason is." A smile curved her lips that had a frown touching his mouth.

"You two are close."

"We are."

"I read somewhere that you are very difficult to work with. And that people use the term ‘diva' about you. What does that mean?"

Tilting her head, she gave him a quizzical once over. He was wearing a plaid shirt, opened at the throat, and a scarred leather jacket over it. A work that was jammed on his head, the silky blonde curls touching his shoulders. Jason was right, the man had a strong sexuality about him that was obvious.

"It means that I am very exacting and if that makes me difficult to work with then, so be it." Gathering the reins in her hands she turned her horse alongside his.

"What's his name?" She nodded to the magnificent animal.

"Lightning Bolt."

"Ah. The streak on his face."

"Yes."

"I have an idea."

"What's that?"

"A race" mischief had her eyes dancing.

"Excuse me?"

"Your horse against mine."

"That would not be a competition at all." He was highly amused at her daring.

"Why don't we find out?" She insisted. "Unless you are scared to lose to a girl who is not even a rancher."

"I know what you are trying to do and it's not working." He told her firmly. "I have been riding since I can walk, and my horse is built for speed."

"Then it should not be a problem." Tightening her fingers on the reins, she got ready to bolt.

"Ms. Matthews- "

"Dani, and yes, I would appreciate a head start."

Before he could respond appropriately, she was off like a deer, and she was very good. The shock and immobility wore off enough for him to nudge his horse to follow her.

"Damn fool woman." He swore beneath his breath as she soon became a speck on the horizon. Digging his knees into the horse's flanks, he gave Lightening its head and very soon narrowed the distance between them.

His heart skipped several beats when her horse jumped over a wooden fence that led to one of the paddocks. His admiration doubled when she executed the jump flawlessly, her hair flying behind her as she increased the speed. But he knew the animal she was riding and within minutes, he realized the poor beast was tiring.

He caught up with her when she got to the paddock. Pulling on the reins, he vaulted to the ground, patting his horse before walking over to where Dani was dismounting.

"I would say it's a tie." The outrageous beauty announced as soon as he came around to her horse.

"Is that right?" Patting the horse gently, he gripped her around the waist and helped her to dismount. For a second, he held her slender frame against his and felt his body heating up with desire.

Letting go of her, he stepped back. Taking the reins, he led her horse away where a stable hand quickly ran over to take control and rub the horse down.

"He tires easily," Taj explained.

"Are we going to settle on who won?"

"No." he shook his head with a wry smile. "Because we both know the answer to that. Suffice it to say that I admire your expertise. While you are waiting on your horse, you are welcome to join me for breakfast."

"Just coffee, thanks. I cannot eat this early." Nodding towards the smoldering fire, he pulled up a folding chair for her before going to pour the coffee into two tin cups.

"Jason was right." She mused as she accepted the cup.

The sound of her soft sultry voice saying the man's name had him stiffening as he took his seat on a smooth rock.

"About what?" he asked lightly.

"He made mention of the fact that your men would probably be hunkered around a fire, eating beans and drinking coffee."

"We had oatmeal and pancakes with berries and coffee."

"Oatmeal?" her tapered eyebrows lifted.

"The breakfast of champions."

Her laughter tinkled out and sent a fresh surge of lust arrowing through his body.

"Was it prepared out here?"

"I hate to shatter your illusion as to what the life of a rancher looks like, but we have several very modern kitchens available to us to prepare very nutritious meals." He told her dryly. He had work to do, but sitting here with her and drinking coffee was something he found himself favoring instead of the back-breaking deal of repairing several barns.

"I have a feeling you did that deliberately."

"That might be the case." He admitted. "Why acting?"

The sudden question had her blinking. "My mother was an actress."

"Ah yes, I read something of that nature. She was in the theater."

Dani nodded.

"And you were so impressed, you wanted to emulate her."

A slight smile tugged at her lips as she contemplated the statement. "Something like that. She was always moving from one place to the next, very dedicated to her craft."

He heard the dismal note in her voice, even though she spoke casually, and got a feel of what it was like for her growing up.

"And your Dad?"

"Loved her so much that he followed her around." Shrugging away the sudden painful memory, she nodded towards the house. "It's beautiful like a beacon glowing in the darkness and beckoning weary travelers."

Turning his head, he stared at the building he had called home all his life. The lights were on in several of the rooms, indicating that the household staff was up and preparing for the day.

No doubt, his dad was already in the office attending to some minor details. Then he would head for the kitchen to grab his cup of coffee and head out.

"I suppose it is." He murmured, turning back to look at her. She was leaning back against the chair, her booted legs stretched out.

Her hands were wrapped around the tin cup and the wind had tugged tendrils of hairs loose and they were drifting against her skin. She looked nothing like the glamorous beauty posed on the magazine he had brought up to his bedroom.

"I must go." Her eyes met his and for a minute, the chemistry held them captive. Drawing in a deep breath, Dani rose and handed him the cup. "I have to get ready for the day."

"Shooting starts today?

"Yes." She nodded, carefully removing her hand to avoid touching him. "Thanks for the coffee."

"You are welcome." He held the cup in his hand and wanted to say something to make her stay but words failed him, and he found himself just standing there. He wanted to find out if she was involved with her co-star as rumors had it and if not if she would consider going to bed with him.

The surge of desire had him taking a step back and taking a deep breath. "Jed will have your horse ready for you. It was a pleasure."

Before she could respond to that, he was already striding away, his long legs eating up the distance.

Touching her hand to her throat, she watched as he disappeared around a bend and acknowledged that what she was feeling was pure old-fashioned lust. Who could blame her? She thought wryly, turning towards the barn.

The man was positively delicious looking, and all that wiry strength was enough to make any woman below the age of ninety – needing to feel those arms of steel wrapped around her.

*****

Taj strode into the barn and started issuing orders, trying to get away from the fact that he had practically run away from the woman who had been sharing cups of coffee with him.

The memory of her long, slim legs encased in black riding boots, the scent of her exotic perfume, and the recollection of her inviting lips were combined to put him in a sour mood.

Making his way along the stalls, he opened the door to check on Dolly, before heading out again. The vet had already been by to see the horse's progress, but he wanted to make sure she was not still limping.

"Easy girl." He whispered, running his hand up and down the glossy flank. "Easy." He repeated when the mare shied away slightly. "I want to make sure it does not still hurt." Hunkering down, he examined the fading bruise with a satisfied nod.

"How is she?"

The sound of the familiar voice had him turning his head to see his dad coming in with a saddle over one shoulder.

"Fair to fine. It's healing nicely."

"Good."

"Where are you headed?"

The greenhouse needs some reinforcements. The east end of it has a sagging roof and the rain made it even worse."

"Take several of the men with you," Taj told him automatically as continued to soothe the mare. "I am heading to the fencing area before we start rounding up the cattle."

"Right." Instead of walking away, his father lingered, forcing Taj to look up.

"Anything else?"

"I understand that actress was out riding?"

Taj concealed his wry amusement at his father's derogatory expression.

"She does have a name, Dad. It's Dani." He supplied as he straightened. "And yes, she challenged me to a race."

"She did what?"

"Challenged me to "

"I heard you the first time. I hope you told her where to get off."

"Before I could tell her that it was not a good idea, she was off and running." Taj laughed softly in recollection. "She was quite good too. I was very impressed."

"She might have fallen and broken her bloody neck and put the entire ranch in jeopardy from a lawsuit. What the hell was she thinking?"

"That she could challenge me and win. Relax Dad, she- "

"Relax?" he exploded, causing Taj to stare at him with a frown. "You are in charge of this ranch, and I would like to believe that you are also responsible."

"I am responsible, as I have proven time and again." His tone was cool, his spine stiffening at the implied criticism. "And it was just something impulsive. I was right behind her the entire time and would not have allowed anything to happen to her."

"You think I care about some damn reckless Hollywood actress?" he growled. "She could have injured the horse and herself in the process. They think they can just waltz in here and do whatever the hell they like- "

"Dad!"

"I apologize," Theodore muttered, running his hand over his hair.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing," he muttered, shifting the saddle on his shoulder. "Carry on."

Taj watched as he strode out of the barn, a frown on his brow. It was not like his old man to be so brusque and uncaring, and he had noticed that at dinner last night, he had been uncommunicative for the most part.

Patting Dolly absently, he stepped out of the stall and went about his other duties.

*****

"How was the jaunt?" Jason asked airily as he joined her for breakfast.

"How was lazing around in bed for half the morning?" she countered, buttering her scones.

"Darling, you exaggerate. It's just half of ten." Sliding out the chair, he took his seat across from her. The others had already eaten, but Dani had come back from her adventure and went back to bed, getting up half an hour ago to shower and change.

They would be shooting the first scene in the afternoon, and she was hoping it would not be a long day.

"So, how was it?"

She flashed him a smile. "Exhilarating. You should have come."

"I preferred my beauty sleep." He eyed her as she picked up her cup. "What happened?"

"I participated in a race."

She grinned at the look of shock on his handsome face.

"With one of the ranch hands? Darling I cannot begin to tell you how reckless that was. You could- "

"With Taj Bryne."

Putting his cup down slowly, he gave her an owlish look that had her laughing. "See why you should have been there?"

"I am beginning to regret my decision to stay." He gave her a curious look. "He agreed to race you?"

"Not at first, but I did not give him a choice."

"Let me guess – you took off before he could say yea or nay."

"Something like that," Her eyes twinkled as she gazed at him. "I almost won."

"I strongly doubt that." He murmured dryly. "That man spends all day in the saddle and it's kinda what he does. If you won by even a fraction, he lets you."

She wrinkled her nose at him. "You are right. He has this magnificent creature, all black and glossy with a stark white on his face. A truly beautiful animal. He is also one with his horse as if the animal knows what he wants without him even having to say anything."

"Very sexy." Jason watched her over the lid of his cup. "What happened after the race?"

"We had coffee." She laughed. "And you were right about the campfire."

"I knew it! Were there beans and rancid toast?"

"Nope. He said they had oatmeal with pancakes and fresh berries."

he made a face that had her laughing. "Spoiled my illusions completely." His blue eyes wandered over her face.

"What?"

"Just wondering when you are going to get to the part where he is going to invite you into one of those barns and climb on top of you."

She gave him a lofty look. "I don't do barns."

"You do horses, and horses make their beds in barns. It could be that you are in one of those barns, cooling down your horse and he comes up behind you and takes over, trapping your body against that gorgeous body of his. Very soon the mutual feelings of desire- "

"Eat your eggs, they are getting cold." It took a lot of acting on her part to pretend that she was not affected by his words. "You should be writing fiction."

"Tell me I am wrong." He called after her.

"You are wrong." She answered without turning back.

"Yeah, right," he snorted as he sipped coffee.