“Times have changed,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. The conversation was veering dangerously close to territory I wasn’t prepared to navigate. Not now. Not with the lingering sensation of my fingers still inside me and Connor’s name on my lips.
“Some things never change,” Dad replied, his voice softening just a fraction. “Family is family. Legacy is legacy. I built this place for you to inherit, but I need to know you’re going to take it seriously.”
I swallowed hard, guilt mixing with resentment in my chest. “I do take it seriously.”
“Then act like it.” He put his glasses back on, effectively dismissing me. “The Wesley girl’s been asking about you. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, and her family has a big ranch. She’d know how to help you with this place, how to run it right.”
My stomach turned at the thought. Heather Wesley was perfectly nice, but the idea of marrying her… of marryinganywoman, made me feel physically ill.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I lied, backing out of the doorway. “I’ve got chores to finish.”
I escaped before he could say anything else, my earlier arousal completely replaced by a cold knot of dread. This wasn’t the first time Dad had brought up marriage, but he was getting more insistent lately. At some point, I’d have to either come clean or play along. Neither option seemed particularly appealing. And I was surprised he was offering up Heather Wesley at all. From what I heard, the Wesley ranch was in a badway. Rumors in town claimed it might not last the year. Then again, my father wasn’t the kind to keep up on that sort of thing.
I headed toward the barn, needing to be busy, to move, to do anything that would keep my mind off both Connor and my father’s expectations. But as I rounded the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks.
Connor was there, unsaddling his horse, his back to me. His shirt clung to him with sweat, outlining the muscles that moved beneath the fabric as he worked. My mouth went dry instantly, all thoughts of my father’s disapproval evaporating like morning dew.
I should have turned around. I should have walked away. Instead, I stepped into the barn, the hay crunching beneath my boots.
Connor tensed, his shoulders squaring as he sensed my presence. He didn’t turn around.
“Need something?” he asked, his voice gruff and dismissive.
“Just checking on the horses,” I replied, trying to sound casual as I moved closer. “How’d she handle for you today?”
“Fine.” He continued working, refusing to look at me.
I leaned against the stall door, watching him for a long moment. “So… how come you ended up in prison in the first place?”
“Because I got caught.”
I couldn’t stifle my chuckle. “Honestly, that might be one of the best answers I’ve heard so far. But really, what happened? What did you do?”
Connor sighed, accepting the fact that I wasn’t going to go away. “Not that it’s any of your damn business,” he grunted. “But I got caught selling meth in Billings.”
“Meth?” I shook my head. “That’s some nasty shit.”
“I know,” Connor replied. “That’s why I never did any. I just sold it.”
“But you still sold something that ruins lives,” I pointed out, taking a step closer. “Doesn’t seem like your style.”
He finally looked at me, his dark eyes flashing with something dangerous. “Tell me something. Have you ever had to wonder where you next meal is coming from?”
I thought for a moment. “No, I guess not.”
“And have you always had a roof over your head?”
“I grew up here?—”
“And were you, at the age of sixteen, giving dealers blowjobs in back alleys just so you could eat for the first time in two weeks?”
I stood there, frozen in my tracks. I didn’t know how to respond.
“I didn’t think so,” Connor grunted, turning away from me again. “So next time you want to stand there and assume you know something aboutmy styleor anything about me, you can go fuck yourself.”
“Connor…” I said. “I didn’t mean?—”
“Hey Connor!” Larry’s voice called from outside. “We could use some help out here if you can spare a hand!”
