Point of Contention (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (9 page)

of line. As your employer, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. It

won’t happen again, I promise.”

“And what if I wanted it to?”

Suddenly confident, she baited him, he decided, purely for fun.

She’d been prepared for him to back off, probably assumed it would

be his play. Would she bust his balls for trying to do the right thing?

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Louisa Neil

After the phone call he’d listened to earlier tonight, he’d decided if

the roles were reversed, he’d probably bust her chops just for general

principles, or an outlet for his angst.

“Doesn’t matter. It can’t be.” He finally looked at her, waiting for

her to acknowledge his words.

“All right, no problem.”

Earlier he’d decided if she didn’t want to pursue a relationship

with him, he’d accept her decision with grace. The only alternative

would surely make them both uncomfortable, and after all, it was just

a kiss. An amazing kiss from his perspective, considering its length,

but still just a kiss. His cock stirred, remembering the instant feelings his body felt during the kiss. “Fine, I should go.” His tone sounded

curt to his own ear, and he tried to change his tone. “I…”

“Leave this. I’ll straighten up before I turn in.” Stuart hesitated a

second too long, and he watched her expression change, ultimately

deciding to speak her mind. “Was I supposed to rant and rave and tell

you I couldn’t live without you fulfilling me as a woman?” She teased

him openly, and while he understood it was a defense mechanism, he

also knew deep down it wouldn’t have bothered him if she’d given

him just a little bit of a fight.

“Good night, Kadence. Thank you for making the preserves.”

“You’re welcome, Stuart. Good night.”

He left quickly without another word. Harley slowly stood from

his position in the doorway. For long seconds he looked after Stuart

and back to Kay.

“Oh, go ahead, you old hound. Follow your master.” The dog

dropped his head and wandered slowly down the hallway.

* * * *

The cleanup went quickly, considering all that still had to be done.

Even the repetitive tasks didn’t soothe her tonight. Instead, she was

keyed up and Stuart Drake was the reason. When he’d first come into

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the kitchen she wasn’t sure what to expect. Stuart telling her she was

hands-off was a possibility. Maybe it was for the best. Working

relationships never worked out. But deep inside, she wondered what it

might have been like between them. It was hard not to wonder how he

would have reacted if she’d just walked over to him and dropped onto

his lap. She imagined wrapping her arms around his shoulders and

pressing her breasts against her chest. Her palm itched with a want to

feel his cock, to learn the texture of his skin, his length and girth.

Looking at her reflection in the window over the kitchen sink, she

said, “Back to the toys tonight,” laughing at the absurd notion he’d

been sexually interested in her.

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Louisa Neil

Chapter Eight

Hearing the horse from behind gave her time to take a few

cleansing breaths as she slowed her running pace. When the rider

approached, he expertly maneuvered the large beast to within a foot

of her, walking the animal beside her.

“Stuart, how are you?” she asked.

“Fine, Kadence, and you?”

“Fine.” She followed the path toward the staff quarters, and he

continued beside her. “What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a few minutes.”

“Depends on how deep and what the topic is. What’s on your

mind?” For an instant, she gazed at him with a twinkle in her eye.

Was she fantasizing he’d come to tell her he made a mistake and

wanted to explore a relationship with her? He dismissed it quickly,

reminding himself Stuart Drake didn’t change his mind often.

Stuart knew what was on his mind, but verbalizing it was not his

goal, although if he didn’t keep a tight check on himself, he was

bound to do just that. She had her hair pulled back in a long tail and a baseball-style cap shielded her eyes. He didn’t stop himself from

watching how she moved. Smooth and graceful, he acknowledged.

That was what he liked about her. Even for her size, she seemed to

float almost. He groaned aloud at his thought, and she glanced up at

him. If she’d just started her run, it would have been better timing, he decided. Now she was soaked with sweat, the moisture molding her

damp T-shirt to her curves. The stretch pants she had on left nothing

to his imagination in regard to her strong thighs and long legs. Even

in sneakers, she stood a sleek line.

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“Stuart?”

“Yeah, ah, has anybody mentioned that I’m building my private

residence, or am about to start?”

“Yes, it’s been mentioned, and I’ve assumed the north corner of

the property is the site. It’s the only one cleared.”

“Yes, well. I noticed the other night that you seemed to be

hunched over at the counters. Are they uncomfortable for you to work

at?”

“You get used to it, I guess.” She stopped to retie her shoelace and

continued after she was finished. She paused as if she’d lost her train

of thought, glancing up at him, her hat shielding her eyes and most of

her face. Being so high up on horseback, it all seemed a little surreal

to him. Finally, she spoke. “You’re what, six two or three?”

“Six four,” he corrected.

She began walking again and the horse seemed to follow along at

her pace effortlessly.

“I’m five ten. Most kitchens are designed for the average person,

five four to five ten. That’s why the thirty-six inch height. If I ever

have a home and get to design the kitchen, I’ll make mine four inches

higher. I usually wear clogs when I’m cooking, so an extra inch or

two would help. It wouldn’t be great for your resale value, although I

don’t think you’re building with the idea of selling anytime soon.”

“The architect wants some final decisions about the layout and

cabinetry, and I’m stalling him. I’m not sure what direction to go.”

“You should ask Travis.” Her gaze met his as she looked up to

him and he smiled.

“I have. He said basically the same thing as you. Raise the base

cabinets four to six inches and ask Kadence for her opinion.” This

time he laughed out loud.

“Great minds thinking alike and all that.”

“Kadence, why did you give up your legal career? Even if you

were divorcing your husband, I can’t imagine going through all that

schooling and walking away.”

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Louisa Neil

She stopped short, and even the horse was confused. Tugging the

cap off her head, she pulled the elastic band from her hair and ran her

hand through it. He steeled himself for some horrible reason.

“I gave up my legal career because I didn’t like it. I still have a

sincere appreciation for the law, when it’s handled properly. I still

believe in everyone’s fundamental rights. For me the problem was

more of pushing paper than helping mankind.”

“That’s not a full answer. You could have left the public

defender’s office, gone with an established firm, or started your own.

Surely there had to be other aspects of the law that you were drawn

to?”

“I was always drawn to the idealism of the law. The reality of it

generally sucks.”

“So you were disillusioned?”

“Basically.” She hesitated, and he knew she was deciding what to

tell him. Would she open up to him or shut down and push him away?

She let out a heavy breath. “I always wanted to be a chef.”

“Then why law school? I don’t understand you at all.”

“That’s a two-way street, Mr. Drake. Why don’t we start with

you?”

“I’m a closed book, Kay. A baseball pitcher with a blown

shoulder isn’t worth much to any team. After that, I got lucky in the

computer market. I got luckier selling out when I did. The profits

allowed me to buy this land and build the lodge.”

“All right, why the lodge?”

“That, my dear woman, would take much too long to answer.”

Silently, he added,
And it would tell you too much about my personal
life.
More than he was comfortable sharing.

“Is it that you just don’t want to answer at all, or is it only to me?”

“Why is it we always seem to wind up challenging one another?”

“I think it’s chemical, Stu.” She waited for an explosion at the

shortening of his name but didn’t get one. Instead, she got his

standard answer.

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“My name is Stuart, and I don’t answer to Stu or any other form

of it. Understood?”

“Understood,” she told him, biting back a smile.

“Kind of like how you must feel when your husband calls you

Katie?” This time he kept her look, taunting her with his words.

“How did you know he called me Katie?”

“That’s how he asked for you on the phone,” he told her quickly,

hoping to cover his stupid slip.

“Katie bothers me because of the way he uses it, not necessarily

the name itself. Besides, why my parents decided to name me

Kadence is still a mystery to us all. Neither of my parents have any

musical talent or military training. My father always said Mom liked

the way it sounded, Kadence Farrell, and he decided it was easier to

go along with her than to fight since he didn’t have a better suggestion to fight for.”

“You love them deeply, don’t you? And you respect them as

people, too,” he added.

“Yes, I got lucky. I was blessed with hardworking, reasonably

normal parents who wanted the best out of life for themselves and me

and not necessarily just monetarily. I was taught to see the good in the small things in life.”

“I envy you that, Kay. My mother wasn’t a strong woman. When

my father died, she just dissolved. If I’d been any younger, my life

would probably have been very different.”

“How old were you when he died?”

“Just turned seven. Old enough to take it to heart when people told

me I was the new man of the house, and young enough to be scared to

hell by the prospect of it all.”

“And that’s why you never married, afraid something similar

would happen to your children?” They’d reached the garage building,

and Stuart knew she’d leave him soon.

“That’s another long story, too long for standing here when the

mosquitoes are about to descend on us.”

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Louisa Neil

Kadence held his gaze for a long time before answering him. “For

another time, then.” Her hand reached slowly toward the beast Stuart

straddled, hesitant yet determined. At first he thought she was

reaching to him, then realized in time she was going to stroke the

horse. He pushed back the realization of how close he’d been to

reaching down and taking her hand. Instead, he watched her eyes

widen as her fingers made contact with the horse’s side. Pulling the

reins tight, he held the horse steady while she brushed his coat.

“Do you ride?” he asked, noting how she watched the horse for

any reaction.

“No. Only if pony rides at the state fair or a carriage ride through

Central Park count.”

Stuart wondered what she looked like as a child, and it led him to

wonder what they might be blessed with. Both of them were dark-

haired and -eyed, both tall and athletic. He felt himself twitch under

the denim and pulled his mind back.

“Are you afraid of the horse or just no interest?” Somehow he

didn’t think she’d be afraid of much. No, instead, he was learning she

was careful to study before leaping. The garden was a good example.

“No availability, basically.” The horse took a step back, then

forward, his tail flinching as he did. Kadence took an automatic step

back.

“You’re welcome to ride here at the lodge.” Her gaze caught his

and held for a second too long. He saw the excitement in her look

along with a slight apprehension.

“Thanks, maybe someday. I’m still getting used to their size.”

Again her hand slowly ventured toward the animal, and she softly

patted his neck. And again Stuart hardened at the sight, wanting her

hand to be on him instead of the horse.

He laughed at himself and let his thought fall from his lips. “Size

frightens you?” Holding her look, he waited to see if she’d take his

bait.

“Only in certain categories,” she tossed back, letting her eyes fall

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to the junction of the horse’s back where his legs were spread.

Automatically, he drew one leg up and blocked her vision. His move

made her laugh openly at him. Kay waited for him to qualify her

answer. When he didn’t, she added, “You started this line of

questions. Want to stop?” Her dare wasn’t lost on him.

“You’re a double-edged sword, Ms. Farrell, but I’ll give you this

one. Seriously, if you want to learn to ride, this is a perfect place.

Private trails and the animals are usually well-behaved. The late