Forbidden.
Nash’s words echoed, flashing in neon red behind her eyes.
“Some sins are worth it.”
And looking over at the beautiful, brooding man beside her, he was the epitome of a sin she’d bet would be more than worth it.
Her entire life, she’d played by the rules. Tried to be perfect. For her mom, her dad, her teachers, her professors. The few boyfriends she’d had, she’d gone along with any plans they had, never complained about last-minute cancellations or hurt feelings. She’d shouldered rejections, breakups, and betrayal with a poker face of stone. She’d smiled. Nodded. Kept her cool. Played it safe in every single aspect of her life.
But when she rubbed a hand up her arm to soothe the prickly bumps that had arisen from the cool air against her damp skin and the man standing on her doorstep reached out and placed both of his arms around her to warm her, playing it safe became a foreign concept. One she no longer had any use for.
“Why me?” she finally whispered, looking up at him as he warmed her in places he probably didn’t even realize.
For a lingering second, he was silent. Gunmetal-gray eyes darkening thoughtfully, a crease appearing between his brows. Full, masculine lips pressed together as his angular jaw tightened.
“What do you see when you look at me, Stella Jo?”
She couldn’t answer immediately, not having expected him to answer her question with a question.
Reaching up, she placed her hands on either side of his face as she had before. Their brief encounters flashed behind her eyes. The way she’d reacted when they’d bumped into each other, literally, the first day. How kind he’d been when he’d found her crying later. Stepping in when Dr. Tyler had been abrasive with her. Spending his nights helping down at the barn instead of getting God knows what kind of sexual favors from the nurses. Even the horses liked him. Despite the cocky demeanor and the tattoos and the brutish way he talked to her, there was gentleness there. She could feel it in the way he touched her, the way he watched her—affectionately. Something protective warring with something possessive.
“I see you,” she said softly. “When I look at you, I see a man capable of so much more than he knows. I see a man who could make me feel things I’ve never felt.” She swallowed the thickening lump in her throat so that she could continue. “I tried so hard to fight it, but I guess I’m not as strong as I thought I was.”
“That’s why you,” he said, leaning down and allowing his nose to nestle against hers. “Because you don’t see money and fame or a singer in a band. Or tattoos or rough edges. Or even how you could use me to get what you want. You see me. And for the record, I think you’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for.”
“I-I’m, I’m… We’re…” She shook her head as if she could clear her emotions out of the way long enough to think. Or at least breathe steadily long enough to calm her trembling body. It didn’t work. “I wish you could stay. The night. With me, I mean.”
A mischievous grin began to work its way across his mouth. His warm breath tickled her face. “I know what you meant, cowgirl. I wish I could too.”
“Soon?” She was ready to beg if need be. Somehow every negative consequence of their being together was outweighed by her need for him.
Van took her hands in his and squeezed. “Soon.”
“How?” She glanced around. Even though Jesse was gone for the day, there were other employee residences nearby. If someone saw them in this intimate position, the rumors would run rampant. And if Stella got her way, there’d be truth behind those rumors.
Taking a step back as if he could read her concerned thoughts, Van released her hands and sighed. “I don’t know exactly.” A smirk danced across his lips and heated her to her core. “Well, I know how as far as the technical aspects go. But how as in how the fuck we’ll do this without getting caught…that’s probably going to take some seriously strategic maneuvering.”
Stella’s mind whirled with the many strategic maneuvers she’d like to work out with this man. Her body began to tingle as the idea of him stripping her down and making her scream took hold.
“U-um, okay.” She breathed deeply. “I guess we should work on that then.”
Smoldering warmth radiating from his gaze, he leaned down. “Yeah. We should. And we will. Goodnight, cowgirl.”
Stella bit her lip, wondering what he’d do next. Would he kiss her goodnight? Turn and walk away, leaving her cold and alone on her doorstep?
“Goodnight, Mr. Ransom.” She smiled as he took a step forward, backing her against the door.
“Not yet. But it will be. Soon.” A light kiss on the cheek followed by a shiver-inducing breath against her skin surprised her, sending her heart into an out of rhythm frenzy.
He was rough. He was gentle. He was angry. He was kind.
He was everything.
Everything she wanted, needed, and probably shouldn’t have.
And soon, he would be hers.
“Transcribe them in order, noting all of the date and time information in the file first.”
Stella nodded as a pretty blond therapist handed her a stack of files and a small removable drive.
“Anything else?”
The woman paused thoughtfully and then nodded. “Yes, actually.” She lowered her voice as a nurse passed by. “The contents of these files are extremely privileged, as I’m sure you can imagine. As soon as you’ve documented the pertinent information for the files, proceed to the next one. And make sure this drive stays in your possession until you return it to me. As you know, we have a great deal of high-profile clients that value their privacy.”
Stella nodded again. “Yes, ma’am. Of course. I’ll get this done immediately.”
The woman’s crystal-clear blue eyes widened. “Dear God. Please don’t call me ma’am.”
Stella laughed. “Sorry. Habit.”
“Miranda. Feel free to call me Miranda.”
Stella promised that she would. The doctor thanked her and they parted ways. Just as Stella was exiting the office, pulling the door closed behind her, she accidentally shoulder-checked the man coming in. A familiar thrill ran through her.
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” Van said low, nearly in her ear.
Her entire body flushed from the unexpected contact. She hadn’t seen him since he’d left her alone and aching the night before.
“Um, yeah. You’re right. Excuse me, Mr. Walker.” She met his stare, and heat flared in his eyes.
“I don’t know what turns me on more. You saying that I’m right or calling me Mr. Walker.”
Stella glanced around to make sure no one else was in hearing distance. Day one and he was already blowing their cover. She did her best to keep her voice even, nonchalant.
“I could call you Mr. Ransom if you’d prefer.”
“I can think of lots of things I’d like you to call me, cowgirl. But we’ll get to that.”
The confidence in his expression turned her on and pissed her off. So she’d admitted she wanted him. But his writing her off as a foregone conclusion and being so brash about it ruffled her nerves a bit.
“Okay, then. Have a nice day,” she said, stepping quickly around him.
“It’s much nicer now,” he told her with a wink that effectively evaporated her annoyance with him.
Forcing herself not to grin like a giddy schoolgirl, she shook her head and walked away, tossing him a small warning glance with a smile over her shoulder. But the sweltering heat from his gaze on her backside made it difficult to focus for the rest of the day.
After hours of transcribing electronic files to paper ones for Dr. McLendon, Stella was eager to get down to the barn. She wasn’t sure if Van would be helping her that evening, but she damn sure hoped so.