He laid a hand on her shoulder to get her attention and ignored her flinch.“Hey, remember what I said.That man would never hurt you.Don’t tell him I told you so, but inside he’s just a big old teddy bear.”
Sky released her breath and straightened her shoulders.She had talked to herself on the long bus ride there about changing, getting mentally stronger, and becoming more self-assured.She wouldn’t cower to any man ever again.The man was large, yes, but she’d deal with it.
She just hoped that being here was better than where she had come from.But then she decided anything was better than home.She dragged her gaze from her soon-to-be husband to Daniel, noticing the concern on his face, and was warmed by it.
“Don’t worry.I know I’m small, but I’m tough.We’ll get along just fine.”Sky unbuckled, turned, and started to open the door.
“Let me help you down, ma’am.Stay right there.”
Sky froze on the seat and turned back to Daniel.“Call me Sky.After all, we are friends, right?”
Daniel chuckled.“We sure are,” he replied before he moved around the front of the truck.He opened her door, wrapped his hands around her waist, and set her gently on the ground.
“Let me introduce you to Jared.”
Daniel bit back a chuckle.He was really looking forward to seeing Jared’s face.This was going to be hilarious.They both had expected a mousy, thin woman.The woman beside him was beautiful and had soft curves that most men enjoyed.
Jared was talking to the buyer with his back to them as they walked up.Daniel stopped behind him and cleared his throat.He almost choked at the astonishment that crossed Jared’s face when he turned around and looked down at the woman in front of him.After the shock faded, a heat invaded his eyes as they roamed up and down Sky.
“Jared, I’d like you to meet Sky.”He took a step back and watched the show.
“Wow, who might you be, Honey?”the buyer asked.
Sky jumped at the feral growl that came from Jared’s throat.The man who stood before her was huge.The top of her head came up to his collarbone.His chest had to be three feet in width, and his hands were bigger than the size of dinner plates.He stood before her in dusty, faded jeans and a button-down shirt.His boots were worn and caked with manure.He should have smelled awful, but instead, all she caught of his scent was woodsy with a bit of musk thrown in.
****
Jared didn’t take hiseyes off Sky.
“Thanks, Jim, but it’s time for you to go,” Jared grumbled.
Jim’s eyes widened, but he nodded and quickly turned away.
After giving the order, his eyes moved over her again.Fuck.She was supposed to be ugly, or at least unattractive, dammit.This woman was the opposite of ugly.He didn’t know how to feel about it.Concern was the first thing he felt because of her size, and then heat invaded his veins, making him angry.
Jared knew instantly he was going to have a problem when he realized he could stand there and just gaze at her all day.That was what he’d been afraid of.He knew he wanted a wife, but one who wouldn’t cause problems or make it hard for him to work.This ranch came first.His wife was just supposed to be a sexual release at night and eventually a mother to their children.He was going to want this woman all day long.He couldn’t see himself quenching his hunger for her anytime soon.
A scowl snapped his brows together.“Goddammit,” he barked in a rough tone of voice.
Sky jumped again and turned to Daniel, confused about Jared’s anger.
Jared ran a hand over his head of short dark hair before putting both hands on his hips.
After a long moment passed, Sky reached out a hand with an evident tremor.“It’s nice to meet you.”Several seconds passed.She was starting to lower her arm, embarrassed, when he grabbed her hand, engulfing her small one in his massive callused one.
Both seemed to jerk in surprise at the spark that chased through them.Jared abruptly pulled his hand away before he took a step back.A low growl slipped from his lips.“I can’t deal with this right now.Daniel, take her to the house and show her the guest bedroom.Dinner’s at six.”He didn’t say anything else but spun around and stomped off.
