CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ELLY
GRAY ISstanding on the other side of the cleaning stall. He's in the long, black wool coat he was wearing when I walked here earlier this week and his long, muscular legs bow out just a bit over his cowboy boots.
The collar of the coat is pulled up to cover his neck and almost touches the back of his cowboy hat to block any icy wind that might be at his back. His nose is red from the cold and his hazel eyes watch me, not with the same curiosity as the horses.
If I had to put a name to what I see on his face, it would be conflicted distrust. The tug of war in his emotions crash into me like hot and cold waves.
I get lost in his eyes for a moment before I clear my throat.How can I possibly feel so much for a person I’ve just met?
"The company that wants your land is trying to buy upland in this area because of the proximity to the airport between you and Tulsa. The plan is to build a state-of-the-art spa and wellness facility with a hotel and individual cabins, the draw being the natural springs in the area and they plan to spin it into a Native American healing experience.
“They believe the area is perfect because of the rural beauty of the springs, but it’s still within driving distance of shopping and entertainment.”
His eyes narrow as his eyebrows pull together. “What company?”
“The name of the company is in my file in my hotel room, but my father has already received a large amount of money in advance, as an incentive, and I'm here to close the deal so he can get the rest." I take a small, tentative step towards him. "Normally, he wouldn't send me for a deal like this, particularly one so significant, but a colleague manipulated my father into sending me to undermine me.
“He’s not only ruthless, but he likes to play games, especially with me. I’m an obstacle between him and my father, so he wants me gone. I thought I could play the game this once.” Attempting a smile, I shrug my shoulder. “A means to an end. But then I met all of you and I can’t. I can’t do it.”
I take another small step toward him. "The land to the north of you has already been purchased, you are the holdout that’s standing in my father's way. I can try to prolong it, but…” Another small step. "I won't be able to stop them, he will send someone to push harder."
His head tilts to the side a bit and suspicion moves across his face. "Why are you telling me this?" The question comes out on a growl and, for a second, fear makes my skin prickle, not because I’m afraid of him, he’s just reacting to the new information, but because he may never see me as anything other than a rival.
Taking a deep breath, I forego my signature smile and givehim a small genuine smile that probably looks like a grimace because my stomach is lurching from nerves. "Because I like you and," I press my palm over my chest, making the lines around his eyes soften. "I really want you to like me back."
My heart is knocking against my ribcage. His gloved hands curl into fists at his sides before opening again and I drop my eyes for a second at the movement before looking back up at him. His silence is the loudest thing in the room, his eyes glued to me like he's afraid I might turn into a rabid squirrel or something.
His eyebrows twitch together, his eyes like lasers trying to see into my soul. “It’s the damnedest thing. You look like you’re telling the truth, but I’m not sure.”
Taking a small step toward him, I fight the urge to lace my fingers in front of me, a coping mechanism I've used since I was a kid to put some kind of barrier between me and whatever I want to guard myself from. He's not the threat, rejection is the threat, but I won't let fear keep me from trying.
“I didn’t want this assignment. But I was afraid to say no. I thought I could be…” Pausing to think of the right word, I see the muscle next to his eye jump. “…charming enough to change your mind.”
He closes the distance between us and I almost lose my footing when, in a blink, I’m against the wall of the stall with his hand loosely gripping my neck. “Is that what this is, Elly? Are you trying to charm me right now? Because I don’t fucking like games.”
His body is pushed against mine, his knee between my legs, and his gloved hand is firm but gentle around my neck. His other hand on the wall over my head. Warmth floods my body and I wonder what would it be like to be at the mercy of that hand?
His nose is mere inches away from mine, and I could easily get lost in the flecks of brown in his gorgeous greeneyes.
I softly grasp his wrist with my hand and shake my head. “No, that’s not what I’m trying to do. What I’m telling you is I can’t do it. I don’t want you to sign, I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Tears fill my eyes. “Even become my father’s enemy.”
He’s quiet for a second, the only sound is his breathing as his eyes bore into mine. I can’t tell if his closeness is heating my skin or if the sudden rush of warmth to my core is heating me from the inside out.
“Why? Why would you do that?” The hand around my neck loosens but doesn’t let go.
“Because if I can help ensure that little girl up there keeps the wholesome, full life she has, I’ll do it. I wasn’t able to have that, it’s all I ever wanted, but she can.”
He moves his face closer to mine so his nose is almost touching mine. “Why should I believe you would turn on your family? How do I know you won’t turn on me?”
On an exhale, I say, “You don’t.” Locking my eyes on his, I whisper, “But let me show you.”
His eyes narrow as they volley between mine, the battle of wills in his brain playing out in the hazel orbs that are looking at me like he doesn’t know what to make of me. “My daughter, my family, always comes first. If I find out you’ve done anything, anything, to hurt them, I’ll walk you to the main road myself.”
Nodding my head again, I lift one of my palms and place it on his cheek. “As you should. It’s what any good father would do.” We engage in a stare-off for half a minute, my thumb slowly moving across his cheek.
His hand around my neck slides up to cup my jaw and in my next breath, his lips crash onto mine, making my heart soar. His tongue glides across my lip and I immediately open to him. Grasping his wrists, I don’t want to let go.
