Carrying the Rancher's Heir / Secret Son, Convenient Wife: Carrying the Rancher's Heir / Secret Son, Convenient Wife

“She heard that. She’s gonna prove you wrong.”

He glanced at the mare. “Maybe. We’ll try her out and see how she holds up.”

Callie stepped closer to Tagg, removing the distance between them. “The horse I had growing up is gone. I wish I still had her.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Callie spoke softly. “I was only eight when she was born. I watched her birth. I’d seen other mares foal, but this time it was special for me. I knew the little filly entering into the world that day would be mine. My daddy promised and I had to swear to take care of her myself. I was eager to do it. When she struggled up on those skinny little legs to take her first steps in the barn, I cried. It was love at first sight.” Callie smiled and glanced at Tagg.

He’d moved closer to her, too. She saw another gleam in his eyes. This time aimed at her. Sadie moved back a step but the slight rustling of straw didn’t interrupt, didn’t suspend the intense look on Tagg’s face. It didn’t stop his approach. “Tell me more.”

“Her name was Jasmine. Named after the fairy-tale princess. I had visions of flying off on a magic carpet with her.”

Tagg smiled. “Or she’d fly you around on her back.”

“A little girl’s daydreams can’t be messed with.” She relished the smile Tagg offered her. He was so darn handsome … still her fantasy man.

The light was dim in the stable and cool enough when she’d first walked inside, but now the stable heated up and familiar musky scents of earth and straw closed in on her. She stood toe-to-toe with Tagg. “I don’t suppose you had daydreams.”

Tagg seared her with a hot glance and arched his brow. “I’m having one now.”

She looked at his mouth with longing. She wanted him. She always had. “So am I, Tagg,” she said, breathless.

Tagg reached one hand out and pulled her close. She flowed easily toward him. His mouth came down on hers in a rush of heat. Instantly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and put everything she had into returning the kiss. Weeks of yearning, desire and uncertainty all rolled up into one ignited when his mouth met hers. A deep rugged groan escaped Tagg’s throat and fueled those flames as their bodies brushed. The magnetic pull was something neither could fight. It was just there, driving them closer.

Tagg deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and wetting her lips with his tongue. She parted for him immediately, inviting his tongue inside her mouth. Holding her breath, she prepared for the onslaught, the intense mating that swept fiery heat through her body.

Tagg pulled at her hips, jutting them up against his. His erection pulsed between their clothes, solid and strong.

“Oh,” she moaned, barely able to breathe. She gave herself up to him, to the power of his kiss. She went weak-kneed and Tagg’s strong grip was all that held her upright. He put his arms around her waist and then in one quick move, removed the rubber band from her hair. The strands were released, and he shoved his fingers through, spreading her hair out.

She thought to do the same to him, remembering her wish of just minutes ago. She grabbed his hat and tossed it aside, garnering a deep-rooted chuckle from him. Then, as he continued to kiss her, she ran her fingers into his long dark locks, playing with his hair just as she’d fantasized.

Callie pulled back just enough to catch her breath. “Easy?”

Tagg’s lips curled up. “Anything but.”

He continued to kiss her.

She pulled back slightly one more time. “Convenient?”

Another chuckle. “You’ve got to be kidding.” He swept his tongue one last time inside the hollows of her mouth before breaking the kiss and flashing her a sincere look. “But beautiful is a fact.”

Callie smiled and breathed out, “Thank you.”

Tagg reached for her again, but voices from ranch hands approaching outside stopped him. Instantly, he stepped away and grabbed his hat from the ground. With a look of regret, he darted a glance her way and plopped his Stetson onto his head. The ranch foreman appeared in the sunlit line of vision from the wide stable door and Tagg cleared his throat. “Let’s get out of here,” he said, keeping his voice down.

She saw him reach for her hand and then think better of it.

With their arms to their sides, they walked out of the stable together and got into the Jeep. Tagg waved to the men who’d returned to the stable area without stopping to talk.

They drove back to Penny’s Song in silence. She was grateful for the quiet ride. At least Tagg wasn’t telling her how that kiss shouldn’t have happened. At least he wasn’t denying that something drew them together like a force of nature.

Callie could only hope that she was making headway with Tagg.

She’d caught him in a weak moment, is all, Tagg thought as he pulled up to Penny’s Song. One minute it had all been about Clay’s request to find horses. Then he’d seen Sadie and gotten sentimental. There was nothing worse than having a woman see you when you’re vulnerable. And then Callie’s soft looks of understanding and commiseration did him in.

The kiss just happened. And he wasn’t going to apologize for it. He wasn’t going to deny it was good. Hell, it had been great. But Callie was a dangerous woman to be around and the one thing he swore he wouldn’t do was to get involved with her. He wouldn’t forget who she was, or who he was. He’d already had his one chance at love and had blown it.

He climbed out of the vehicle and walked around to the other side, but Callie had already opened the door herself. She got out and they looked at each other. Tagg spoke first before she said something he didn’t want to hear. “I’d better check on the workmen. See if they need anything. Are you sticking around here?”

“For a little while. I have some things I want to finish up.”

“Okay, then. I’ll let you get to your work. See ya.” He tipped his hat.

He’d only gotten a few feet away before Callie called him back. “Tagg?”

He turned around, bracing himself for what she had in mind. He didn’t like to analyze things the way most women did. He’d kissed her. It was great. Period. He doubted it would ever happen again. “Yeah?”

“I think we did a good job picking out the horses today.”

“Yeah. We did.”

“I’d still like to ride Sunflower. I’ll ask Clay if I can do that tomorrow.”

Tagg scrubbed his jaw. “Don’t think I can make it to morrow.”

She frowned and shook her head. “I’m not asking you on a date, for heaven’s sake. I can ride the mare without you and make a determination on my own.”

He held his expression blank to keep from blinking his surprise. Callie had put him in his place. “Okay, the sooner we accomplish that, the better.”

“That’s what it’s all about.” Tousled, well kissed and rosy cheeked, she faced him from a few feet away. He’d put that look on her pretty face. Sensations whirled. Unsettling possessive instincts took hold in his gut. He stood there for several minutes, well after she’d turned on her heels and walked away.

Jed Barlow rode up on his horse and dismounted just a few feet away. “Hey, Tagg. I’m glad I found you here. Clay thought you might be available for the game tonight. Diamondbacks are playing. Then after the game, we’ll be happy to take your money at the poker table. We need to fill a seat. Brett Williamson’s daughter is getting married, so he’s out of commission for the week.”

Baseball and poker were just what he needed to take his mind off Callie for the night. He wasn’t a regular, but when the boys needed a substitute, Tagg didn’t mind filling in. “Sure. Why not?”

“All right then. We’ll see you at seven.” Jed led his horse toward the stable, but turned after taking just a few steps. “Hey, was that Callie Sullivan I saw you jawing with just a minute ago?”

“Yeah, that was Callie.”

“Never thought I’d see her around here.”

Jed had gone to the same high school as the Worths. His father owned a small ranch ten miles north of their property. After years of struggling, unable to compete with the bigger ranches in the area, Kent Barlow quit the cattle business. The Worths had always liked the Barlows and Clay hired Jed straightaway. He knew ranching like the back of his hand. He’d been a trusted employee going on five years now. “That makes two of us,” Tagg answered.

“She sure is pretty.”

Tagg nodded. He didn’t need a reminder.