Owned for Christmas (2 page)

“
Moooommm
.”

“Sorry, sorry. I know, too much sharing.” She shook the idea off, as if erasing everything she’d just said, which only made Kate grin harder. “I’m just so excited to have my baby boy home. I have a roast in the oven and fresh apple pie for dessert.”

“Awesome.” Daniel beamed like a seven-year-old boy who had just found out that monster trucks were going to be driving by the house. He wrapped his arm around his mother, pulling her into a big bear hug. “You know how to spoil me.”

She laughed, squeezing him back. “You only come home a couple of times a year. I have to make it special.”

Kate stared at the scene longingly. She didn’t think her mother had ever made an effort to make a day special for her—or even made an apple pie. Between the ladies’ lunches, benefit dinners and berating her father for not making enough money so they could have everything those other ladies did, her mom had never had the time for baking.

“Those are his favorites,” Gale added, glancing over at Kate.

Kate appreciated her concern. “I know. I made him an apple pie for his birthday. It was all he wanted.” And she’d rather enjoyed baking it too. It had been fun peeling all the apples, rolling out the dough, measuring out the spices. There was a beauty to the simplicity of it.

“That’s my boy. He’s never had too many wants.”

Kate knew he was a simple man. That was one of the qualities she loved most about him. The problem was that she had too many wants. She had cravings she shouldn’t have. That he’d never be able to give her. Needs that had only gotten her into trouble.

But the need
never
stopped.

Kate smiled, loving the camaraderie between Daniel and his mother. She couldn’t ever remember smiling so much with her own family. Her mother was too focused on being polite and proper to banter with her.

Gale looked between the two of them, shaking her head. “Look at me going on and on about pie and parties while you two are freezing. Let’s head into the house. It’s cold as a witch’s tit out here.” She turned, motioning them toward the brightly lit house as Kate tried to stifle her laugher. She certainly wasn’t like any other mom Kate knew. She couldn’t imagine her own mother saying the word ‘tit’.

“We’ll get you in the house and warm you two right up.”

Kate trudged behind Daniel and his mother, liking the crunch of snow beneath her boots. It squished under her feet, and made squeaking noises when she pulled each foot back. It was a lot more fun than she’d heard people talk about.

“I’m sorry, Kate.” Gale turned back to her.

Kate stilled, not sure what she’d say next. Did she not have room for her? Did she not want her to stay in her house? Her stomach tensed at the thought.

“I don’t know what your favorite pie is. I didn’t think to ask Danny. But if you let me know, I’ll make sure to get all the fixings tomorrow.”

Kate sighed, relieved. “Apple’s great. I love apple.”

“Oh. That works out well. You two are just perfect for each other.”

“
Mom
.” Daniel trudged up the stairs behind them, his boots thumping on the steps.

“Sorry, sorry.” She grinned wider, a slight devilish gleam in her eyes. Her small slips seemingly intentional with every smile.

“You’ll have to forgive us, Kate. The house isn’t much,” Gale declared, pushing open the door and ushering them through the entryway. “But it’s our home.”

Kate didn’t care what the house looked like. She just had to get inside. As much as the snow was pretty and fun to tromp through, her thin Texas blood didn’t love the cold. She stepped inside, following Gale and Daniel through the entryway into the living room.

A tan plaid couch that had seen better days took up one wall of the room. In the other corner, a golden rod La-Z-Boy with a rip in one arm held court. The room offered a homey, welcoming feeling. Everything looked well-worn and used, unlike the sleek modern cream couches in her parents’ sitting room that stained easily. She knew from first-hand experience, having made many messes as a child and a few as an adult.

“Oh, no, it’s lovely.”

Photos lined the rich wood panel walls. She picked out a few from the collection featuring a small sandy-haired boy with light brown eyes—the man she loved. Some showed him holding a rod, a gun or standing next to a cow with a man with light brown hair and dark gray eyes.
That must be his father, who passed away a year before we met.
He looked kind and sweet, just like Daniel.

“Thank you, dear.”

Daniel dropped the luggage right inside the door. He took a deep breath, sliding his eyes shut, almost as if he were trying to absorb the place into his lungs. “It’s good to be home.”

“You two can have the far bedroom.” Gale motioned toward one end of the house. “The sheets are clean and there are towels in the closet. Dinner should be ready at six. Why don’t you go and get settled? I know it’s been a long trip.” She took their coats, laying them both over the sofa arm. Everything in Kate’s parents’ house had a place, and coats definitely didn’t belong on the couch. But in Gale’s home, it didn’t look out of place. The untidy pile looked right. It made the house appear warm, lived in.

“Your brother will be back in a bit. He’s gone out to the far fields to tend to the cows.”

“Can I help you with anything?” Kate didn’t know exactly how she could do. She’d attended more catered meals than family dinners. Kate couldn’t recall ever assisting anyone in the kitchen. But it seemed right to offer, especially after all Gale was doing for her. She’d be fine, as long as she got a simple task.

Gale smiled up at her, blinking her honey-brown eyes. “Of course. Dinner’s almost ready but I can always use help.” She twined her arm with Kate’s and tugged her toward the back of the room, where an archway led to the hall.

“Now you, go be a gentleman like I taught you, and take the bags to your room. Kate and I are going to finish making dinner.” Gale tossed the sentiment over her shoulder.

Daniel hoisted their bags, throwing Kate a worried look as his mother gently pushed her toward the kitchen. Kate nodded back at him, her cheeks a bit warm. She loved his concern. But she could handle his mother, at least for half an hour.

“We are very excited to have you with us this holiday.” Gale leaned close to Kate, her bright, happy manner rubbing off on Kate. “I’m sure we don’t throw the kind of holidays you’re used to, but if there’s anything I can do to make this Christmas special for you, I’ll be happy to do it.”

“Thank you,” Kate said, touched by the little woman’s consideration. It didn’t seem the proper time to say that her normal Christmases were sterile and cold, thrown more for appearance than joy. She didn’t want anything similar to those. It was probably best to ease into that conversation.

“I’d really like to find out more about Daniel. Maybe see some baby pictures.”

Gale laughed. “I’m sure I can find a few photos for you. Although, I must warn you that Danny never did take a good picture. His hair was always sticking up and he had a lazy eye for most of elementary school that made him look cross-eyed.”

Kate giggled at the idea. “Now I want to see them even more.” She couldn’t imagine it. Daniel usually looked so put together. She’d always assumed it was a side effect of his profession as an accountant.

They turned the corner into the kitchen together. Kate liked Gale. But the second her feet landed on the kitchen tile, Kate glanced up and her entire world tilted.

She sucked in a deep breath.
He
stood right in the kitchen, his cowboy boots crossed at the ankles as he leaned against the counter without a care in the world.

Her former Master.

The man who had hurt her, wounded her trust.

He’d destroyed what confidence she’d had in the BDSM scene, forcing her to leave it behind. He had the same sandy blond, shoulder-length hair pulled back in a ponytail, the same self-assured stance. He even smelled similar, like leather, sweat and male musk. Although a new hay and earth aroma accompanied it.

What is he doing here?
When she’d known him in Texas, he’d worked at Terlingua Ranch, just outside Dallas, training racehorses. It was a long way from Brewster County to Colorado. What were the chances that the only man to ever break her heart had ended up working for her boyfriend’s family’s ranch? Could anyone have worse luck than she did?

“Grant, what are you doing here?” Gale marched up to the man, slapping his hand back from the salad bowl, where he picked olives off the top.

Kate remained frozen, standing just inside the kitchen threshold, unable to move any farther forward.

“I thought you were out with the cows?” Gale retrieved a knife from the counter and started slicing a loaf of fresh bread. She continued with her dinner preparations as if Kate’s whole world wasn’t slipping away beneath her.

“I was. I finished up early. I wanted to rush home and meet my little brother’s new girl.”

Little brother.
Kate’s stomach lurched at the words. It couldn’t be. This couldn’t be Daniel’s brother. Grant was nothing like the man she loved.

He looked over at her. For a second, she almost thought he recognized her. The flicker of surprise filled his eyes. Then it vanished as though it had never been there at all. He grabbed a slice of bread from the pile Gale had cut then bit into the soft golden crust.

“If you’re going to eat a piece, take a plate.” Gale handed him one from the stack to the side of the cutting board. “You don’t want Kate to think she’s come to have Christmas with a pack of animals.”

His pewter gaze met Kate’s. A shiver ran through her. He didn’t smile but the smugness in his words prickled her nerves.

“No, we wouldn’t want
that
.”

“Oh, where are my manners? Kate, this is my older boy, Grant. Grant, this is Danny’s new girl, Kate.” She leaned closer to him as though whispering a secret but Kate heard every word. “Be nice to her. Your brother seems very smitten with her.”

Grant smiled over at her. Kate’s insides twisted into even tighter knots.

“I’m always nice.”

Bullshit.
Grant isn’t nice
. It was what she had liked the most about him.

He extended his hand to shake hers. She stared down at it. His palm and fingers were calloused, more calloused than before. But she could still remember how those fingers had felt wrapped around her wrists, holding her tightly while he’d spanked her ass with a paddle.

She lifted her eyes to find his gaze focused on her, watching her like she was a bug in a jar. A surge of awareness ran through her body. How long had they been staring at each other? It seemed like forever.
If I don’t take his hand soon, Gale might notice
.

This was far worse than any of the scenarios Kate had nervously run in her head on the airplane or during the drive to the ranch. Even in her worst nightmares, she never would have imagined bumping into Grant again, let alone here. She couldn’t describe her relationship with Grant to anyone—least of all his mother.

She extended her hand. Her fingers shook as she slipped her hand into his palm. “Nice to meet you.”

“Now you’ve officially met her.” Gale motioned with her knife, pointing out of the kitchen. “Go wash up. Dinner will be ready in a half hour.”

“Yes, Mom.” He placed the plate and half-eaten bread slice on the counter. He offered Kate a wink as he walked out of the door.

Her stomach sank. An aching, hollow feeling took root in her chest. How could he be so nonchalant about seeing her again? He had acted as though he didn’t know her. Like he hadn’t seen her naked, hadn’t flogged her to orgasm, hadn’t seen the most dark and twisted parts of her. The sections she didn’t show to anyone else—and certainly not to Daniel.

His brother.
How can this be? They are so different, almost polar opposites.
Daniel was all light fun and easy-going sweetness. And Grant was dominant, wicked and dark in all the ways that made her toes curl. Grant was everything she wasn’t supposed to want anymore.

Her mind raced. The walls seemed to close in on her, the air too thin. She couldn’t seem to fill her lungs. She had to get out of there. She had to escape Gale’s friendly presence and happy small talk. It was all too much.

“I’m sorry, I’m suddenly feeling a little tired.” Kate rubbed her temples, an abrupt sting of pain beginning there. “I think I’m going to lie down for a little bit, if that’s okay?”

“Sure, dear.” Gale gazed over at her with concern.

Kate couldn’t worry about Gale’s reaction. Not right now. Not with the vision of Grant standing next to the sink still fresh in her mind.

“Go rest for a bit. I’ll come get you and Danny once dinner is ready.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Kate nodded, turning from the kitchen.

Half an hour didn’t seem long enough to gather her muddled senses together. But it would have to do.

Chapter Two

“I can’t believe your parents were willing to let you go for the holiday.” Gale placed a spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth.

So far, the family dinner had gone well. However, Kate had spent more time studying her plate than the people around her. As long as she didn’t look at Grant, sitting across the table from her, she was fine.

It was only when she regarded Grant, saw his intense eyes, watched his hands holding his fork or cupping his glass, that her body heated and her heart pounded irregularly.
Stupid hormones.

Her gut clenched. The roast and potatoes sat like rocks in her stomach. She might be attracted to him, but her heart knew better. Her still-fragile heart remembered just how deeply Grant had shredded it when he’d left.

“I can’t imagine not having my boys here for Christmas,” Gale mused.

Kate tried to smile, though it wasn’t heartfelt. “My parents got a great deal on a cruise. They’re sailing around the Gulf of Mexico until New Year’s.” No doubt her mother was sat out on the deck right now, showing off the emerald her father had bought her for Christmas to any and all who would listen.

“Doesn’t seem right.” She took a sip of her water, shaking her head a little. “Oh, well. Their loss will be our gain.”