Stay With Me: BWWM Interracial Cowboy/Western Romance (Westbury Ranch Book 2) (8 page)

“Some women might think they’re wasting their time with a guy who’s just a ranch hand.”

The fire that bloomed in her chest almost choked her. She finished the last of her pie because she didn’t want to say something she would regret. “Do you think so little of me?”

“No, actually, I think very highly of you, and I was just wondering if you feel the same way.”

Feeling entirely insulted, Shayne turned to face him.

Juston set his plate on the table. “Some women think like that.”

“I’m not one of them. Money is important to me yes, but I know how to earn it, so I don’t wait for a man to do it. When I have a partner, what’s important to me is that he takes pride and joy in his work. There’s nothing more important than that.”

“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page. So since we’re partners now, what do you think about staying the night here?”

She grew breathless with his statement. The man knew how to twist her words around so that she was left feeling like she’d given in far more than she was prepared to. “I—didn’t mean it that way.”

“So, we’re not partners in a relationship?”

She ran a hand through her hair, frustrated by his blunt, direct approach. What the hell is she supposed to say to that? “We’re—I don’t know. I mean—”

Before she could figure out what he was up to, he grabbed her hand and tugged her. She found herself sitting right on top of his lap. The warmth of his hard body seeped into hers, and she felt the hot glow of it. Need reared within her.

“Shayne, you can’t sit on the edge forever. We’re together, you and I, and that’s just how it is.”

“And I have no say in it?”

“Of course, you do.”

His lips were so close to her that she could feel his hot breath when he gazed down at her.

“But it has to be a decision that you make consciously. Either we’re in a relationship, or we’re not. And before you make that decision, let me make one thing clear…I’m crazy about you. It isn’t just sex for me, although I’m happy that we have this unbelievable spark between us. I adore you as a person, and respect you, and I want more with you.”

“I respect you.”

“But not enough to make a commitment?”

She gazed into his eyes. She should’ve been angry at the way he pushed and prodded her, but the truth was she admired how he could take a stand and be firm on it. If she respected him before, that increased much more as she read the resolve in his eyes. Shayne nodded. “You’re right. I’ve been shillyshallying.”

“And?”

She waited for a moment as she read her own heart. It wasn’t easy to separate her fear from the way she really felt about him. The man was intriguing on many levels. She would be stupid to let go of him just because she was too afraid of what the future might bring. A commitment? She wasn’t there just yet, but she sure as hell was ready to give it a real try. “I guess I’m staying the night.”

His lips spread into a smile before he bent his head and kissed her.

The warmth of him, the scent and taste of him, mingled into her body, making her head reel with passion. She tasted sweet pecan pie and blazing heat on his lips.

“That’s an excellent decision,” he whispered when he raised his head.

Her body gave a delicious shiver at his whisper. Just like that, she made her decision. Shayne didn’t have a clue about what would happen in the future, but she was game to enjoy it.

Chapter Eight

J
uston drove the car to the farmhouse. It’d been three weeks since he started dating Shayne, and each day was more wonderful than the last. He’d never thought he would love being here when he first came to this ranch. He’d been looking for a place he could call home, and he found it. Then he found this beautiful woman and now, he knew that home would be wherever she was. Maybe it was crazy of him to think like that. After all, they only met just recently, but he was lost the moment the saw her, and there was no going back.

One day, she might leave this place, and if she did so, it would break his heart. But right now, he was enjoying the beauty of their relationship. Juston parked the car and got out. He climbed the steps and rang the bell. When Jackie opened the door, he bent to kiss her cheek. “I came to pick up Shayne.”

“Come inside then. She’s getting ready.” Jackie closed the door and strolled over to the foot of the stairs. “Shayne, Juston is here.” Satisfied that she’d done her duty, she smiled at him. “Where are you guys off to tonight?”

“We’re going to a barn dance. Would you like to come along?”

“At my age?” She snorted. “I would likely break a leg. No thanks. You go and have fun. Cullen and Graeme already left.”

“I had to tend to the sick cow. She’s better now.”

“We’re lucky you came to this ranch, Juston. Don’t know what we would do without you. There’s no one who can do the work that you do.”

“If you flatter him too much, mom, his head will swell up,” Shayne piped in.

Juston glanced up as she came down the stairs. The sight of her made his whole body hum.

In a crimson red skirt and a white shirt, she looked like a gypsy. Long, silver earrings dangled from her ears, and the strappy shoes she wore made him wish he could take her home instead of to the barn dance. Her caramel skin glowed, and her dark eyes beckoned him.

Would her beauty and grace ever stop affecting him like someone just punched him in the gut? He didn’t think so. She truly made him breathless. When he glanced at Jackie, he could see she was aware of the way he felt. He was a little embarrassed, but then this is what love did to a man. As far as he was concerned, Shayne just reeled him in, hook, line, and sinker. He was hers for as long as she wanted him, and perhaps beyond as well. He still didn’t want to think about what he would do if she ever left him. There was no point going there, because he didn’t have any answers. “You look stunning,” he said.

“Thank you, kind sir.” She gave a little curtsy and laughed. “Come on, now. We don’t want to miss all the fun. Bye, mom.”

They stepped out. It was a beautiful evening. A white moon hung in the sky a breeze blew in brisk and sharp.

He helped her settle in the car and then drove off.

“It’s been a while since I went to a barn dance,” she confessed. “I think the last time was when I was seventeen and this guy I had a crush on asked me out.”

“And how was the date?”

“Very disappointing,” she admitted. “We spent most of the time sitting in a corner, because he didn’t want to dance.”

“In that case, let’s aim to do better than that.” He chuckled.

When they reached the venue, he saw Graeme’s car. Juston helped Shayne out and entered the bar. A large space was left open in the middle and enthusiastic couples were already dancing. “Would you like a drink first?”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind a beer,” she yelled over the noise, and they muscled their way to the front of the bar. Shayne waved to a few people and then took a stool.

Juston got two beers and wedged himself in a space next to hers, as there was no more seating space.

“I had no idea barn dances had become so popular.”

He handed her beer to her. “Not much to do here, so people make the most of each opportunity.”

Graeme was dancing with Cullen. He had some solid moves, and so did Cullen. They looked happy and at ease with each other. Would he ever get to this state with Shayne? He was a little puzzled because she still wasn’t a hundred percent into this relationship. Juston couldn’t figure out what held her back. Was it him, or the prospect of being in a committed relationship in general?

When her beer was finished, she held his hand. The warmth of her touch seeped into his skin and a yearning spread through his body.

“Let’s go show them how this should be done,” she challenged.

He grinned, picked up his beer, and finished it. Juston led her on to the dance floor. He could see she had a lot of energy, and was a damn good dancer. It was a good thing he could keep up because he wasn’t too bad, himself. He twirled and dipped her, and then swayed with her. The music was great, and the crowd seemed wild. The group dance became dynamic. Everyone stomped their feet, turned, and danced and it was one of those perfect moments when everything appeared synchronized.

An hour later, she gripped his hand and shook her head.

Juston drew her away from the crowd. They went back to the bar to grab some beers, and then sauntered outside to take in some fresh air. As they moved towards the side, they nearly ran into Graeme and Cullen who were locked at the lips.

“Oh, sorry,” Shayne stated with a laugh. “We’ll move the other way.”

“No. no.” Cullen all but glowed as she held up her hand.

Juston had never seen her look happier.

“Look at this.”

It took Juston a few seconds to focus on what she was trying it show them. The ring glittered in the moonlight. “Hot damn. You’re engaged!”

“Graeme asked me just now because well…our first date was here. This was where we started our relationship. A barn dance set us off.” She grinned, and then her gaze darted to Shayne who seemed very quiet. “Sis, are you okay?”

Shayne grabbed her hand and peered at the ring.

The blood-cuddling squeal that she let out almost made Juston cover his ears.

“Sorry. I was just—in a shock. My God! I can’t believe it. You’re going to be married. That’s fantastic.”

“I’m a lucky man.” Graeme kissed Cullen and they both beamed at each other.

Juston had to admit he felt that green pricking jolt of jealousy with the ease in which they followed the right track. It hadn’t been that long since they started dating, but they always looked right for each other.

“So we’re thinking of a winter wedding. What do you think?” Graeme beamed.

“Whatever you decide will be perfect.” Shayne hugged him and then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, brother-in-law. Mom would be so pleased. We should celebrate this news by going out for a family dinner.”

“Yes, we should.” Cullen hugged her sister and then she enveloped Juston in a hug too. “I’m so happy. I think we’re going home right now. What about you guys?”

“We’ll stick around here for a little while.” Shayne glanced at Juston.

He nodded.

“And then we’ll see you tomorrow.”

After they left, Juston held Shayne’s hand and they headed for a bench outside.

“Can’t believe they’re engaged already. Just seems like yesterday she called to tell me that they were going out.”

“I guess when it’s right, it’s right.”

“They’re perfect for each other,” she gushed. “You can just sense the love and respect they feel for each other. Now, we’ll be planning a wedding. Knowing Cullen, she isn’t going to care much about the dress or the venue, and she would be happy to leave the details to mom and me. So, that means we’re going to have our hands full.” She lifted her face to the night sky. “I can already imagine it in my head; a big, white canopy. With a giant, three-tiered cake, and tons and tons of guests.”

When she turned towards him, he felt compelled to kiss her. The warmth of her lips and the scent of her hit him hard. Passion and heat blazed in his body. He had to resist the urge to take her in his arms and make wild love to her right here. When she drew away, he fought for calm as he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I think you’re going to be really good at wedding planning.”

“Mine was a low key affair because well…Nick wanted that.” She shrugged. “I want Cullen to have a wedding of her dreams because I don’t think Graeme is the sort of man who’s going to leave her half way into their new life.”

“I’m sorry you have such bad memories of your wedding.”

She gripped his hand. “It wasn’t all that bad, but I suppose when things end, it’s human nature to concentrate on the worse aspects of it. But it’s in my past, and you’re my present. So, I think we should focus on that.”

“Thought you would never ask.” He grinned. “Want to go home or are you up for more dancing?”

“My feet are aching,” she admitted. “I’m not as young as those eighteen-year-olds that are rocking the dance floor but I had a good time. Thank you for bringing me here.” 

“You’re welcome.”

They both stood for a few quite moments, as they finished the beers and then dumped the bottles into a bin.

He looked forward to going home with her. Walking over to the car, he opened the door and she slipped in. “Want to stay over with me?”

“That’s getting to be quite a habit,” she admitted. “Would it be okay with you if I left a few things at your place?”

His heart skipped a beat. Finally, she was moving in the right direction. He couldn’t wait until she moved in. Juston wanted to ask her, but he didn’t know if she was ready. It’d only been a few weeks, and she might be reluctant to move so fast after a failed marriage behind her. “Sure. That would be fine.”

“Great. We just need to stop at the house, so I can pick up some stuff for the morning. It’s embarrassing to sneak home at dawn to take a shower, not to mention I’m always scared of running into a ranch hand when you walk me home.” She smiled.

He couldn’t help but laugh at her concerns. “They wouldn’t say anything.”

“Yeah, I know, but I would rather not face them while I’m still dressed in last night’s clothes.”

The question was on the tip of his tongue to ask her to move in, but Juston bit down hard on his lower lip. If she rejected him, he wouldn’t know what to do. They drove to the farmhouse. All was quiet. It looked as if Cullen had gone to Graeme’s cottage.

“It won’t take very long,” she said.

While she got out of the car, Juston was startled to hear the sound of another car. He got out of his vehicle and turned towards the gate. A black BMW roared into the farm and then slid to a stop. Did someone follow them from the bar? If so, why? “Who the hell could that be?”

“Oh, my God!” She gasped even before the vehicle’s door opened.

A tall man exited the car wearing those dressy looking type of trousers, a long-sleeved, silk shirt and a bright multi-colored tie, to boot.

Juston couldn’t figure out who it was. “Do you know this guy?”

She wasn’t even looking at him. “Nick, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?”

“Left straight from the hospital, after my shift,” he said.

Juston’s heart started racing. Her ex-husband? It had to be him. What the hell was he doing here?

“Why? Why did you come here?” she asked.

“We need to talk,” he said. His gaze shifted to Juston, and he frowned. It was obvious he just realized they were coming back from a date. “In private, please.”

If someone had taken a cold bucket of ice water and thrown it over him, Juston wouldn’t have felt as chilly as this felt. Why the hell was her ex-husband even here wanting to talk to Shayne alone? He felt an overpowering urge to punch the guy right in his smug face. He instantly hated everything about him on sight. The man drove a swanky car and wore fancy clothes. Juston almost felt inadequate. Yet, he pulled himself up to his full height and then walked over to stand with Shayne. She was his. This jerk had her and then lost her, but Juston wasn’t going to make the same a mistake. He loved her, and yes, he hadn’t said the words to her yet, but surely she could feel it. Juston had the urge to pull her away from this man, but he would let this play out.

Shayne ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t know what the hell is happening. We’ve already discussed everything. There’s nothing more to say. The divorce is final.”

It looked like Nick might argue and he wanted to take it inside to a place where Juston wasn’t around, but then he seemed to think better of it. He probably realized if he pushed her too hard, he might lose any chance of making her listen to what he had to say. Walking forward, Nick took her hands into his.