Serendipity Ranch (7 page)

Preston briefly considered the possibility that she was jealous. After all, she‘d had her cousin’s undivided attention for all these years. The only thing he could be certain of was that Serena was terrified. He had seen it with countless injured animals. Trapping them in a corner would stimulate the fight or flight response, and Preston did not want either reaction from the beautiful young woman who graced his property every morning. Like with a frightened animal, he would take his time to build trust. But not of him. She needed to trust herself.

He snuck behind the woman after taking a moment to admire the shapely bottom that nicely filled her khaki shorts. Serena lifted her nose, his delicious scent alerting her of his closeness. That man must be pure pheromones, she thought, suddenly turning to find him right behind her.

“Where’s your hard hat, Preston? This is a safety zone.”

“I just came over to see if you’d like to go for dinner tonight. Drew’s out with Janie and Sara, and I’m not in the mood to spend a Friday night by myself.”

“You have the dogs, and I have things to do.”

“No, you don’t. We are going to dinner tonight, and you will enjoy yourself. You’ve been working hard, and I want to reward your efforts.”

“You pay me well and on time. That’s my reward.”

“You stubborn little wench. That’s your pay. Your reward is spending time with me,” he grinned boyishly, pressing closer to her.

“You egotistical swine! Maybe I don’t
want
to spend time with you.”

“You wouldn’t dare lie to me, would you, little girl? Daddy doesn’t like it when his girls fib, does he, Boo?” he asked the ever-present Border collie. The dog wagged her tail, denying any part in the recent trash can raid.

“You two need to get out of here before she gets hurt,” Serena said, trying to pull away. Preston shook his head, grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the RV. “Let go of me. You’re hurting my hand.”

“Crybaby. I’m just getting out of the sun. Now, out with it. Why are you lying to me?”

“I haven’t lied about anything! How dare you accuse me—”

“Oh, stop the hissy fit. There is one thing about me you haven’t learned, and that is I’m very good at following my hunches. It’s my secret power. That’s what brought me to all this,” Preston said, pushing her into a chair and sitting next to her. “I want to know why you are avoiding me. Is it because I pinpointed your needs and haven’t actively pursued them?”

“Is that another one of your stupid hunches, Mr. Riley?”

“Yes ma'am, Miss Mitchell. You want a strong man who can fill the role of both a lover and a mentor. You need a true father-figure in your life, don’t you? Don’t you?” he demanded an answer.

“Leave me the hell alone.”

“Why are you crying? I hit a nerve of truth, didn’t I? You had hoped I would embark on that relationship three months ago, and when I didn’t, you closed yourself off instead of coming to me to invite more.”

“So, it’s my fault?”

“Ah, you finally admit it. Yes, it’s your fault. I told you that when you were ready, to come and ask me. You’re so afraid of your feelings that you’ll deny yourself before becoming vulnerable. What do you want, Serena? Tell me.”

“I can’t. It’s too embarrassing.”

“There is nothing you will say that I will laugh at. Tell me, Serendipity. What’s your deepest desire?”

Serena struggled to control the tears that started to drip slowly down her face. Gem hopped into her lap and began to lick the salty streaks. Preston waited patiently, watching her as she resisted her needs. Several minutes passed.

“Serena, baby? Do you need a Daddy or a mentor? Or both?” Preston asked softly, touching her knee. Serena broke into tears, holding Gem against her as she silently nodded. He squeezed her knee. “Since you won’t come out and ask me, I’ll ask you. Will you let me help you find that scared little girl inside of you and bring her out to play?”

Serena just nodded, sobbing into the dog’s soft neck. His large hand reached to gently stroke the side of her face, cupping her jaw. His warm golden brown eyes melted into her. “Good girl. You’ll be much happier with someone to care for you properly. You don’t have to call me anything but Preston if it’s easier for you.”

“I don’t know if I can do this. I’m not used to someone monitoring my life that closely,” Serena sniffed, rubbing Gem’s tummy as she flipped onto her back.

“It will take some time, but you’ll become more at ease with letting go of your control. My girls will help you learn how to behave, won’t you, puppies? They love their Daddy, huh, babies?” He was answered with two happy tongues lapping at his face. “We’ll go out tonight, have dinner, and play a little. We’ll even bring the girls. We can start slowly to get you comfortable and teach you how to relax and act on your heart, not with your defenses. How does that sound?”

“Does this mean you’re asking me out on a date? I’m confused.”

“Would you like to date me, or stay purely platonic?” He knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from her lips.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt to get to know you better, on a personal basis, I mean.”

“Stubborn, stubborn girl. Why is it so hard to just answer my questions with a yes or no? Yes, I am asking you out on a date. You’ll find that I am as attentive a lover as I am a mentor. Give yourself a chance to like me. I’m really quite charming, if I say so myself. Hell, I would date me,” he grinned. “We’ll leave after the crew closes up. Just don’t ask where we’re going. It’s a surprise.”

Serena nervously glanced at her watch throughout the rest of the day. She felt Preston’s eyes upon her as she instructed the construction crew with window placements, his breath on her neck as she supervised the pouring of the pool plaster, and his hand on her shoulder as she tried to help lift a frame. He gently nudged her away and took her place, while she held her breath, seeing him naked from the waist up for the first time. His muscles rippled under golden tanned skin that looked soft and smooth to the touch. She longed to trace the outlines of his abdomen with her fingers and her lips, and to see what waited for her hidden beneath his faded, torn jeans. With his ever present hat and well-worn boots, he was every bit a cowboy, with sex oozing from every pore. Serena flushed, feeling her panties becoming uncomfortably wet.

“Preston, you need to put on a hard hat. I know you’ve got a thick skull, but I’m pretty sure it’s not strong enough to bend a steel bar,” Serena scolded, admiring the muscles in his shoulders as he strained to lift the frame. She enjoyed watching the man work, that was for sure. His body glistened in the hot sun, and he moved with the grace of a mountain lion. Serena blushed again, needing to cool off.

“Preston Riley! Don’t you ignore me! Put on a hard hat or get out of my work yard,” Serena ordered. She didn’t really see any danger, but it was a good excuse for her to make her next move. She turned the hose on him.

With a loud shriek she ran, with him hot on her trail. The crew stopped to watch, laughing as she slipped past the boss, ducking under his arms to tear off in the opposite direction. She hopped the corral fence and launched onto Milly’s back, kicking her heels for the horse to move. The brown mare just stood still as she grazed and ignored the woman on her back. Preston caught her ankle before Serena had a chance to slip off.

“Gotcha. You are going to pay for that little prank, missy,” he said, slinging her over his shoulder. Serena yelled, laughing, as she pounded him with her fists. The scent of his warm bare skin filled her senses as she half-heartedly attempted to push herself off. She screeched as he dumped her into the newly filled horse trough.

“You’re all wet,” Preston commented, leaning back against a tree and chewing on a piece of hay.

Serena slowly climbed out of the water, her hair dripping in her face and clothes clinging to her body. “Your power of observation amazes me. I don’t get it. Do you want me to accept you as you are or do you want me to actually like you?”

“I’d settle for either, smart ass,” he grinned, handing her a towel from the laundry line. “Was that fun?”

“Yeah, kind of. The look on your face when I hosed you was so worth the dunk,” Serena admitted with a giggle.

“See? You’re letting the little girl out already. Just don’t cross the line with being disrespectful. You know what Daddy will do then. Sara warned you about corner time and my lectures.”

“I don't mind that you are talking so long as you don't mind that I'm not listening,” Serena chuckled, elbowing him playfully. “Now go away so I can have some pleasure in watching you leave.”

“Keep in mind that I have plenty of energy to spank you for each and every insult you throw at me. Just remember, there are consequences to your actions if you decide to cross that line. No more swearing or name calling. Am I clear?”

She patted his arm, ignoring the serious look on his face as she handed him the towel. “Here. Now, how about if you sit down and give your mind a rest while I get back to work.” His return growl sent shivers down her spine.

“I will remember that,” he promised.

“Just try not to hurt yourself, okay?” she said, getting the last word as she walked quickly away.

The day went quickly and Serena discharged the crew for the evening. She was putting away the blueprints when Preston snuck silently behind her and grabbed her in his strong arms, lifting her off the ground.

“Put me down, you Penisaurus Rex!” she giggled, kicking wildly and slapping at his hands as he carried her to the picnic table.

“More insults? We can’t have that now, can we? I already promised you a little something for talking back to me this afternoon,” he said good naturedly as he flipped her across his thighs.

Serena squealed and squirmed when he grabbed the waistband of her shorts. "No—you can't do that!" she objected.

He slapped a sit spot forcefully. "Stop squirming!" he ordered, slipping her shorts past her calves and taking her panties with them. She shivered and squirmed some more, reaching her hands back to protect her bare bottom from assault.

"Move your hands," he said. When she shook her head in refusal, he moved them for her and delivered another sharp smack. Serena continued to wiggle, and he grunted, repositioning her as he released her hands from his tight grip.

“Come on, Preston, there is no reason to do this.”

Preston chuckled slightly, ignoring her plea. Serena whined, but tried to keep still in an effort to make it easier on herself. “You know I hate being spanked! It’s humiliating.”

“That’s the point,” Preston said, resting his hand against her bottom. “Maybe after a good spanking, you’ll decide to watch how you speak to me, huh? I told you to stop mouthing off,” he said, giving her a hard Pop! and sending her hands flying back to protect herself. “That’s not where your hands are supposed to be, young lady,” he scolded, popping her thigh.

“OW! I’m sorry,” Serena shrieked, hesitating to move her hands away. After another prompt swat on the other thigh, she did as she was told. “Ow, Preston. Please stop.”

“Then I assume I am getting my point across.” He landed a flurry of hard smacks which got her kicking and whimpering very quickly.

“You are! I swear you are! Please stop!” she begged, unsuccessfully twisting to dodge the smacks. She reached back again only to get her wrist pinned against her back and some very strong smacks to the thighs. Serena tried not to cry, but after about a minute under his wooden hand, tears began to spill in pools from her eyes.

“I don’t want to ever hear you putting me or anyone else down again. While some of your jabs are very clever, they are also very disrespectful. We’ve talked extensively about that, haven’t we?” he asked, giving her ten quick swats on each sit spot. Serena sniveled lightly into her free hand, trying to wipe the tears away as hurriedly as they fell. Preston finally stopped, then pulled her panties and shorts back up over her flaming red behind and lifted her onto his lap.

“I’m s-sorry,” she hiccupped, burying her face into his chest.

He kissed her forehead as he held her tightly. “I know, little one. You gotta start guarding that mean little mouth of yours. It can be hurtful to the people who care about you. You know better than to act like this. It’s not becoming of my special girl. Do you have something you would like to say to me?”

Serena nodded—he was right. She did know better, but it was so much easier to insult someone than to say how she really felt. She whispered, “Thank you, Preston.”

He smirked. “You’re welcome. Now get yourself cleaned up so we can leave on our play date.”

Serena pouted for a split second, just enough to get “the look”, then did as she was told. Preston did not miss the little smile that played on her lips as she hobbled to the RV, rubbing her bottom with both hands.

Preston opened the truck door for the dogs to hop in and then held his hand out to assist Serena as she climbed into the front passenger seat. He reached across and buckled her in place. Serena inhaled deeply as his neck passed in front of her nose. On impulse, she bit him.

“Ow! Are you a little vampire too?” Preston asked, hand on his neck.

“Sorry! I’m a biter,” Serena giggled, holding her hands over her mouth.

“I like to bite as well, but there’s a time and place, young lady.”

“Am I in trouble?”

“You’re always in trouble. But, no. In fact, it’s the first gesture you’ve made showing that you were interested in me, so I’m going to handle you a little differently,” Preston said firmly, surprising her by pressing his lips firmly against her partially opened mouth. Serena’s breath caught in her throat as she felt his tongue probe sweetly, pausing only as his teeth nibbled her lower lip and his lips gently sucked her own. His natural fragrance was inebriating, sending chills down her body and concentrating between her legs. She felt her nipples tighten as she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he held her face between his two hands.

She panted when he released her, her lips bruised and swollen. Slowly, she lifted her fingers to touch her mouth. His passion had turned her into a virtual puddle! Preston smiled knowingly, closed her door, and joined her in the cab. Serena was silent as he started the vehicle and began to drive down the mountain. Preston mused, wishing he had tried kissing to silence her months ago. He savored the taste of her as it lingered on his lips, making him hunger for another sample. The kiss had truly been an
amuse bouche
, a tiny bite that tantalized his senses.