Chapter Six

THOUGH THE SUN WAShigh overhead, it couldn't overcome the chill in the air as they headed out to the barn later that afternoon. He had her bundle up again, and she was glad he did when he took her up in front of him on Rio, his chestnut gelding, and turned them south to begin their tour. The wind was blowing, and, though the temperature was in the upper forties, when he kicked the horse into a gallop, it cut right through her.

They rode until they reached the tree-lined rocky creek that he told her marked one edge of his property.

"Do you like to fish?"

"I don't know. I've never been."

"When it warms up, I'm bringing you here to wet a line. Best trout you've ever tasted."

To the north lay acres and acres of grazing pasture, and there was more to the east. Finally, they turned west. It took about twenty minutes on horseback to ride from one boundary line to the other, which meant his idea of a small ranch differed vastly from her own. When Rio reached the top of a long, gently sloping rise, Sam pulled him to a stop.

"This is one of my favorite places."

As she looked out at the sparkling blue water, she could see why.

"This is called Golden's Point. It's the highest spot on the ranch. The water on your left is the bay and, on the right, for as far as the eye can see, is the Atlantic Ocean."

"It's breathtaking."

"I like to come here to think or just soak it all in."

They fell silent, doing just that, soaking in the sun and the salt air and the water spread out at their feet. Krista soaked up several other things as well, the feel of his strong arms around her and the press of his muscular legs against her bottom and outer thighs. And with all that surrounding her, she hardly noticed the cold.

They stayed there for a while, until the sun dipped into the western sky.

As they rode back, Rio carrying them both without trouble as a moderate walk, Krista became curious about his small ranch.

"How many acres do you have?"

"Just under seven thousand."

"Wow. That's a lot of land for thirty-six horses, isn't it?"

"We don't run them all, darlin'. Some are woods and protected wetlands. And we rotate the grazing land annually. Another seven hundred acres on the western end are deeded to the state for water access. It's a long-standing contract, dating back over a century. They don't use it, but could, so I've never developed it."

"Sheriff, horse breeder, land baron... You're a complex man, Sam Golden, but you seem at peace here. Why not just focus on ranching?"

"It's not as difficult or as complex as you think when you hire good people. Besides, I enjoy police work. I was a detective in town before my granddad passed. With my grandmother aging and unable to take care of the ranch on her own, I stepped up. That year, the sheriff retired. It seemed like an opportunity too good to pass up. Six years later, here I still am. It's the best of both worlds. I get my law enforcement and detective fix as sheriff but also get to dabble at the ranch however I want. I could hire extra men to cover Sundays, but I choose not to because the physical work and time with the horses is something else I enjoy. And, I get to live amid the peace and beauty of God's country."

"And your interest in BDSM, where did that come from?"

"Random change in topic. You've been saving that one up all day, I'll bet."

"Well, yeah, can you blame me?"

She felt his chuckle in his chest before she heard it and smiled in response. She'd enjoyed this afternoon with him. And since he knew all her secrets—or almost all of them—there was one biggie left she hadn't shared with anyone, ever—she felt more comfortable around him. While what she did at the mansion, or thought about doing, wasn't justified by her circumstances, she thought he now understood why she might have been tempted. It was important Sam not think of her as a thief, or as a delinquent teenager who never grew up, or as a burden he was counting the days until he could unload.

"Do you mind me asking?" she inquired when he didn't answer right away. "Or maybe it's too personal? I'm sorry I brought it up."

"Nonsense. I expect you to be curious. I was just thinking back trying to pinpoint it. BDSM started as experimentation in college, but that was kink. Being dominant or submissive is a personality type we're born with, I think. Some people are leaders, others would rather follow. That my need to lead and, I admit, have control, bled over into all aspects of my life, including personal relationships, doesn't surprise me. But it's not for everyone, and is still often misunderstood and thought of as taboo, which is why the society exists."

"I've lived here half my life and had no idea it existed. I thought it was a community of rich folks who liked to keep to themselves. I was stunned."

His arms tightened around her as he laughed softly, his warm breath rushing past her cheek. "I was a participant in your introduction, remember? But we're not all rich. That's just a rumor. Most of us who aren't inherit property and work on an island, which gives the impression of wealth."

"Seven thousand acres with ocean views isn't rich?"

"Not compared to some, darlin'. Though I do okay. Because we keep to ourselves and try to keep our private lives private, there are bound to be rumors."

"Can I ask a question?"

"Curiosity isn't against the rules. If it was, you'd be walking back home."

"I'm being a pest, huh?"

"I'm teasing, little bit. You haven't been shy about asking before now. Go right ahead."

"Why you? It wasn't discussed, but it seemed understood you'd be the one to take charge of me."

"Mm, well. It could be that I'm one of the few unattached dominants in our group right now."

"Why does it sound like that's not the only reason?"

"Because it's not. Since I have years of experience and enjoy introducing novices to BDSM, I've become the defacto trainer for the group. I've worked with couples and trained some new dominants, but mostly it's been with submissives new to the lifestyle, and a few unattached subs who incurred societal punishments, like you. I've been in law enforcement for over a decade and am not easily taken in by a hard-luck story. Not to say I don't possess compassion for another's plight, but I've pretty much heard it all and can sift through the bull to glean the truth easier than others might."

Translation, he could be a real hard ass. It also meant she probably wasn't the first naughty girl to endure this thirty-day alternative sentence. Knowing she was one in a string of bad girls sentenced to Daddy here at the ranch spiked her anger, and she couldn't stem the rising tide of another emotion she didn't want to consider—jealousy.

"Are you a sadist or something?" she blurted out. "We all suspected my vice principal in high school was because he couldn't wait to haul out his paddle and whale away on a misbehaving student's butt, boy or girl, and make them cry. He had one with holes drilled in it, which he said cut down on wind resistance."

"So do I."

"That figures," she muttered.

"Uh-uh. Tone it down, little bit. You're getting a bit snippy, and that tone is a shade too close to sarcastic, for my taste. Both of those are kissing cousins to disrespect."

"Sorry," she stated more evenly, though she sure didn't mean it.

"Sorry who?" he replied leadingly.

"Sorry, Daddy."

"Keep it under control, girl. Out here, if you need correction, I'm limited to a switch or my belt. Being a trainer isn't a bad thing, and it doesn't imply sex. Or are you forgetting that consent is required? I just have a flair for discipline, and not falling under the spell of a pretty girl's tears or pleas for leniency."

Boy, wasn't that the truth.

"And since I own a ranch, I have a unique skill set for working with leather: straps, whips, you name it."

"You've done this before."

"If you mean taken on a misbehaving submissive in need of strict discipline to learn the error of her ways, yes. Have I taken one into my home for a month in lieu of a jail sentence? No. Your situation is unique in that respect."

That dozens of little missies hadn't come before her made her feel better, and she relaxed against him. But it wasn't as if they had a commitment beyond the end of the month. She was making something out of nothing as she often did in her head.

"Another unique aspect of your situation, as I mentioned this morning, is I'm attracted to you."

Holy crap.

"More so than any sub I've been with in a long while." He curled his hand beneath her jaw and tilted it up as he lowered his lips toward hers.

Her lips were a fraction away when a series of loud beeps made her jump. Also startled, Rio sidestepped nervously, which had her clutching at Sam to keep from falling. It was unnecessary—his arms tightened, and he murmured, "Easy."

She wasn't sure if he was speaking to her or his big horse. When the beeps sounded again, both of them were more prepared and didn't react. Sam muttered, "Damn phone," and, with the reins and her in one hand, dug his satellite phone out of his pocket with the other.

"Golden," he barked when he answered it. He listened for a moment, and she felt his tension grow as he did. "I'm out riding. It will take me a bit to get back and secure things." Read: take care of his little prisoner. "I'll meet you in an hour. Don't move anything until I get there."

"Trouble?" she inquired when he disconnected.

"Yeah, one of those emergencies I mentioned, on-call or not. I need to get you back."

"I understand."

"We'll pick up where we left off when I get home."

She hoped he meant the kiss. Her heart leapt because she suddenly wanted that more than anything. "Yes, Daddy."

"I like how you say that, all soft and sweet." He stared down at her, brown eyes glinting with passion's fire. "Another minute won't matter, and I've been wanting to do this since we left the barn."

He curved his hand around her jaw as he had before, and, this time, when he lowered his head, they weren't interrupted.

His kiss wasn't rough and hard like he was, but surprisingly gentle. At least in the beginning, but as his mouth moved soft and warm over hers, she quickly got winded and parted her lips for air. This invitation he accepted with enthusiasm, his tongue sweeping inside to tangle with hers. Soft and gentle turned quickly to heated and hungry. Desire raced through her as she opened fully and gave herself freely. But he raised his head before she was ready, and his groan of frustration matched her own.

Clinging to him and breathing hard, she opened her eyes and looked up into his beautiful brown ones. The corners crinkled ever so slightly. "That certainly is incentive to see to this ugly business quickly and get home."

She didn't reply, not even to ask about what could be ugly in their low-crime-paradise-by-the-sea town, mostly because he'd muddled her brain so she couldn't think, let alone speak, as he turned Rio and kicked him into a gallop.

***

IN SAM'S WELL-STOCKEDkitchen, she found all the ingredients she needed to make her grandmother's lasagna. It kept well, and, if left on warm, would be ready for whenever Sam got home. With nothing else to do, she decided to visit the corral with a treat for the horses. Since the sun had set, and the temperature was dropping, she put on the warm coat she'd used that morning. She passed on the too-big boots in favor of her sneakers that were so old a little more dirt wouldn't hurt them. With her own stretchy knit gloves on instead of the work gloves that had rubbed her raw, she patted the deep pockets to make sure the apple slices were still tucked away, then took off.

Sitting atop the split-rail fence in the paddock outside the stable, she was watching Willow greedily snatch up the next-to-last slice from her palm when she heard footsteps behind her. Figuring it was Sam, she didn't turn, instead patted the side of the sweet mare's neck.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar buff-colored leather coat about the same time Willow tossed her head in greeting. Sam crossed his long arms over the top rail of the fence and watched her for a moment.

"She's taken a liking to you."

Krista held up a slice of the fruit. "I came bearing gifts."

"I thought she'd be perfect for you to ride while you're here. We'll start your refresher lessons tomorrow."

"I'd like that." With the apples gone, she swung a leg over the fence and sat sideways facing him. He angled his chin up and tipped his hat back to meet her gaze. It was odd looking down on him instead of the other way around. "Did you catch the bad guys?"

"No, unfortunately, but we will."

"Want to talk about it."

His mouth curved into a smile. "That's my line, little bit."

"What? Little girls can't be there for their daddies, too?"

"Of course they can, but I'm not at liberty to discuss an ongoing investigation."

"You sound like a sheriff on a TV news conference. Besides, who am I going to tell out here? Willow?"

"She'll keep all your secrets if you ply her with apples." He caught her around the waist and lifted her down, and, since he hadn't left much space between him and the fence, she slid down the length of his body. Through coats, she didn't feel much, but being close to him rekindled the desire that had been burning since he left.

Sam obviously felt it, too, because his mouth came down on hers. His fingers slid into her hair, and, when thwarted by the band in her ponytail, he raised his head and growled, "Get rid of that."

She didn't hesitate, just reached up one handed and pulled it free.

He picked up where he'd left off, mouth open over hers, tongue delving inside, but this time, he speared his fingers into the thickness of her unbound hair.

"Softer than silk, and so much of it," he whispered against her lips. "And you taste like apples."

"I may have snitched a slice or two."

Her words were crushed by his lips as he deepened the kiss and she felt the fence behind her as he pressed his big body to hers. She slid her hands up the suede of his coat, to the sheepskin collar, and followed it around in back. His hair brushed her skin, and curious how it would feel to sink her fingers into the thick waves, she didn't hesitate, threading her hands through it and knocking his Stetson clean off.

Not purposely, but it falling to the ground seemed to snap them out of their shared passion.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to..."

"I know. I wanted to, too. Did you mean what you said this morning, darlin'?"

She'd said a lot of things but knew what he meant. In his arms, her lips swollen from his kisses, how could she not?

"Yes, I want you to take the lead, Daddy. Very much so."

He stared into her eyes, searching for a moment, then nodded once. He also released her and bent to pick up his hat.

She must not have done a good job hiding her disappointment.

"My leading does not include having you for the first time against the paddock fence in the cold, darlin'. Although it might be fun for the fifth or sixth."

Unable to help it, she turned to look at it. Surely, he was teasing. It was roughhewn wood, which wouldn't be kind to bare skin, and too high for her to bend over. He'd have to hold her or tie her in place. The idea of being bound naked to the fence while he did incredibly erotic things to her body had her heart thumping.

"Hold whatever that thought is, but don't forget it." He kissed her again, short and brief, though with a dip of his tongue. Amazing. Then he pulled out his phone and sent a message, which she found odd timing. He didn't explain, only said, "Come keep me company while I do evening chores," while he slipped it back into his pocket.

It wasn't an invitation, but if they could continue doing what they were doing, she didn't mind.

"I can help," she offered, as he slung his arm around her shoulder—definitely his favorite way to walk with her side by side—and started toward the barn.

"Not until your blisters are healed. Besides, I only have to stable them and check their feed and water. But you can open the doors for me, and I'll let you lead Willow in."

"I won't mind helping every night if that's all there is to it. Especially since there's no poop."

"Be glad that its dark, or else I'd have to shovel the paddock."

She turned wide eyes to the large enclosure where a dozen horses had free rein throughout the day. "Believe me," she uttered. "I'm glad—ecstatic even."

He chuckled, his arm tightening to hug her closer as they entered the stable.