The Wrangler Takes a Wife (Silver Creek Ranch #7)

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

A mara

After the night she had, Amara was so grateful she was only working half the day.

The sun wasn’t even up when Chase woke her up long enough to tell her, “I’m heading out. I have to start my day, but I’ll stop by the diner to see you later.”

Then he kissed her forehead and arranged her blanket so she was snug beneath them. The exhaustion dragged her back to sleep. So, she hadn’t had the time to think about it then. However, since she started her day, all she could do was replay every detail of the previous night. In the shower, vivid memories of how he teased her body and made her feel good flooded her mind. It didn’t stop there. All morning, she had been distracted with thoughts of him. What the hell did I get myself into?

The arrangement was a constantly evolving situation. Just when she accepted they could indulge in the bonus of satisfying each other, something shifted as he stroked deep within her. The way their gazes locked, and he called her name with such passion, made her feel that they were in way over their heads. It all felt far too intimate. It was as if they couldn’t get enough of each other. After the first time he’d held her, she’d felt so… safe. Like in his arms was exactly where she was meant to be.

This isn’t real. Amara admonished herself. Chase had kissed her then and made her forget her bout with reality. By the time he demanded, “what are you doing to me?” She could barely remember her damn name.

Her body responded to every stroke, tender or unhinged. She clung to him, fucking him back with wild abandonment. The demands she made were met and then exceeded. Her cheeks flushed as remembered how she begged him. “Fuck me. Harder. I can take it.”

Chase had gone stalk still. “I don’t think you know what you’re asking.” His stare almost made her rethink her request. Almost.

But Amara loved the way he stretched and filled her. Her walls squeezed him. His jaw ticked in response. So, this was what it felt like to play with fire. God help her. She wanted to ride the high. Recklessly she had taunted, “well, if you can’t…”

He slammed into her, stealing her breath. She sighed in contentment as her walls spasmed at the memory. This shit was embarrassing. She could feel the wetness in her panties at the memory.

Tap, tap. A soft knock on her office door distracted her. “Who is it?” she called.

“It’s Jo.”

“Come in.”

Her cousin came in and locked the door behind her. Jo sat at the edge of her desk. “What’s going on with you and Chase?”

Oh, so this was how this conversation was going to go. No greeting or anything. She and Jo were very close. Not only were they close in age, with Amara being three years older, they were the only girls out of twenty-one cousins. She adored Jo, but Amara could tell she was on one.

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. I mean. One minute you can’t stand him. You ignored our pleas to allow him to eat here.”

You guys were being soft. Amara thought, smirking.

“Then he calls me up out of the blue for a lease for a portion of the land. Oh. The kicker. You two showed up yesterday, and I could feel the tension between you. Not to mention the way he was eye fucking you.”

There were a few ways to handle this. It made little sense to deny it. Especially with them wanting to make people believe they had fallen for each other. Apparently, it was going to be easier than she thought. Amara shrugged.

“Nah-uh. Use your words. What’s going on?”

“Chase came in so we could reach a truce. It turns out he isn’t so bad.”

“Uh.” Jo’s features softened. “I see.” Her cousin sounded just like their moms did, the way she said that. “What did you do last night?”

“Why?”

Jo laughed right in her face. “Don’t make me go into interrogation mode.”

“Chase and I went to Lucky’s.”

Ugh. Jo’s huge smile made her groan internally. “Oh, you guys went on a date.”

“Yeah,” Amara conceded.

“How was it?”

Amara didn’t answer. Instead, she became preoccupied with her computer. Until her cousin reached over and pinched her side. A nasty habit she picked up from Nancy.

“How was it?” Jo repeated slowly.

“It was fine.”

“Is that all you’re going to say?” Jo swatted her. After waiting a moment, she conceded. “Fine, then. I’ll grab lunch and go back to my office.” Her cousin sighed, then stood from her desk. “You’re a terrible, spoiled sport,” she called over her shoulder. Her smile from earlier returned when she opened the door and Chase was standing there.

“Hello, Chase,” Jo greeted.

“Hello, Jo,” he responded.

“Was Amara expecting you?”

What the fuck? Is Jo my secretary now?

A chuckle rumbled from his lips. Looking over Jo’s head, he answered, “she most certainly was.”

“Bye Jo,” Amara called, getting up from her desk.

“Bye, you two.” Her cousin looked between the two of them, then waved two fingers at them before she left.

Amara looked at Jo retreating, until she sensed how close Chase was to her. Her cheeks heated. He took a step closer, so he stood directly behind her. Wrapping a hand around her waist, he guided them back, then shut the door. He spun her around and pinned her to the door.

“Hello, Sweet Darling,” he spoke directly into her ear. Her body responded immediately.

“Wrangler.”

His smile was wolfish as he cupped her face. He chuckled before engulfing her mouth with a kiss. She melted into his embrace, her heart racing as she returned the kiss with equal fervor. Her hands found their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer as a warmth spread through her entire body. His touch seemed to ignite every nerve ending. She sighed into his mouth. Chase stopped the kiss with a firm peck on her lips. It took her a moment to gather her bearings. The way he greeted her with a kiss had caught her off guard.

“You’re early,” Amara groused, patting her braids. It was a nervous tick.

“I got through my tasks quickly. I can wait for you.” Chase shrugged as he stepped back, giving her space.

Did he expect her to go back to work while he sat there waiting for her? Amara had been distracted enough when he wasn’t around. Was there any hope of continuing with him in the room? Maybe she could call it a day. Instead, she gave herself a mental shake. She couldn’t shirk her responsibilities just because he got her all hot and bothered. How would she get through the next two years that way? It wouldn’t be possible. So Amara put her head down and finished up her orders. Once her task was completed, she realised he didn’t interrupt her once. He sat there, working on a pocket-sized Sudoku book.

“All done,” she announced as she logged off for the day.

Chase put away his book and placed the pen on her desk. She hadn’t even realised he’d taken it until he returned it.

“Great. I was thinking, if you haven’t had lunch yet, we can have a late one together. Then we can go for a ride.” Chase didn’t have any hesitation about them going public as a couple, but then again, he didn’t have a history with the people of this town like she did. Who cares? Amara had always marched to the beat of her own drum. It shouldn’t change now.

“No, I haven’t had lunch yet.” She almost offered to have lunch in her apartment. Until she thought better of it. They walked into the dining area together, with Chase’s hand at the small of her back. At this time of day, the diner was mostly empty. Not empty enough. One of Chase’s suitors sat with her cousin. The poor woman’s eyes bugged out of her head. She recovered quickly.

Chase pulled out a chair for Amara before he took his seat. Vera left her seat and walked over to their table. She addressed him. “Hello, Chase.”

“Hey.”

“Would you like to join my cousin and I?” She tossed her long ash blonde curls over her shoulder and giggled.

Chase sat up straighter. Turning, he gave Vera his attention. Shit, it didn’t look like Vera would enjoy that. “No, I wouldn’t. I have the company I want. You go on and have the day you deserve.” Then he turned to Amara. “What are we having for lunch?” he inquired, dismissing Vera’s presence. She remained still, as though trapped by an unexpected spotlight. Amara was conflicted as she experienced secondhand embarrassment for Vera, but also, she was a little peeved at the woman’s nerve.

“We can have a special, if you’d like.”

“That sounds great. How do we do this? Will they come serve us?” Chase asked.

“Yes.” Amara waved a very surprised-looking Rolynda over.

“Why are you still here?” Chase asked. It was clear he was speaking to Vera, but he didn’t turn his head when he addressed her. Secondhand embarrassment won out; Vera stumbled back from the table and walked out of the diner. Her cousin had the good sense to mouth “sorry” to Amara.

Rolynda took their orders, and Amara directed her to cash out Vera’s cousin, who was standing at the cash register with both her purse and Vera’s.

Amara stared at Chase until he asked her, “What?”

“That was cold.”

“I thought I was downright polite.” Reaching over, he captured her hands in his. “Listen, that is as much restraint as I’m going to show when someone disrespects you.”

“Vera is going to spread your interaction.”

“Good.” The expression he wore brokered no room for argument. “I hope the hell she does.”

Amara appreciated his action. If she was being honest, the way he checked Vera was sexy as hell. Well, at least them having lunch was good for business. A few ladies made their way into the diner, after spying the couple in the picture window. The rumour mill would be buzzing. She tried not to think about it too much.

“I’m curious. Sometimes it says Amara’s special and other times it says Chef’s special?” Chase asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

“When I hired Van as a chef, he wanted some creative input. So, we split the days.”

“I thought you did all the cooking yourself.”

“In the beginning I did, but eventually the diner became way too much for me to do it all by myself. Now we have a chef and a cook as well.”

“You’ve accomplished a lot. You should be proud.”

Amara was accustomed to people complementing her on her success with the restaurant. However, it felt extra special coming from him. Her heart swelled with pride at his words.

Like the night before, it was easy to engage in conversation with Chase. Amara even ignored the not-so-subtle onlookers. The only hiccup was when he asked for the bill. Amara supposed she really couldn’t be mad he was following her rule. Rolynda was confused though and asked for clarification from her.

“It’s okay. Bring me the bill. I wouldn’t invite a lady out and not pay for the meal,” Chase explained.

“Oh, alright.” Rolynda’s face was so expressive as she stared at Amara before walking away.

“Thanks for that.” Amara shot Chase a deadly glance.

“You’re welcome, Sweet Darling.” He had the nerve to wink at her.

It had been unexpected when they reached the sidewalk, and he joined their hands, but Amara went with it. As he drove off the main road and headed towards Sagebrush Hills, another woman in town glared at her. They’d grown up together. She and the woman had never been friends, but they had always been friendly. Now she was shooting daggers at Amara.

Of course, Amara had heard the singles and their mommas gush around town about him, but it seemed these ladies were taking things more seriously than she thought. Vera certainly knew better than to be so rude to Amara. When they were fifteen, Amara had smacked the attitude out of Vera when she spread rumours about her cheating on a test. Ever since then, Vera minded her P’s & Q’s. Now the divorcée had forgotten her lesson. Maybe Vera’s cousin could remind her. Amara wouldn’t sit back and take that disrespect again.

“So, these ladies really have been in hot pursuit, huh?”

“Willowridge women have been… aggressive. They are constantly leaving me shit and stopping by the house, even though I’ve asked them not to. I’ve tried to be nice about it all, but it’s wearing thin.”

“Hey, I’m a Willowridge woman.”

“Present company excluded.”

“Well, most of them will back off soon.”

“I hadn’t thought about them treating you differently. Are they going to be a problem for you?”

“Not if they know what’s good for them.” Amara snorted.