Touch Me Gently (2 page)

“I hope you can cook, because otherwise you’ll have a whole group of angry men after you,” he teased gently to try and get the kid to relax.

A small sound of terror escaped Kaden before he could stop it, and Logan came to an abrupt halt, turning back to look at him. “That was a joke, kid,” he said soothingly, his eyes taking in the absolute panic in the boy’s face. “Can you cook?”

Kaden nodded, only relaxing slightly. “Yes. I’ve been cooking since I was twelve.”

Logan gave a short nod before continuing into the house, Kaden hesitantly following. “This is the kitchen. All of the foodstuffs are in the pantry there. Now, there are twenty men on the ranch, and you’ll need to make enough to feed them all. Understand?”

“Yes.” At the mention of the number of men on the ranch, Kaden once again berated himself for being so stupid to come to a place like this without knowing anyone here. Not that he’d really known anyone back in New York aside from Terry.

“Good. Now, whenever you need to restock just make up a list, and I’ll send Charlie into town to get everything. There’s very little to do here at night, so I hope you don’t mind the slow pace. I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping.” Logan indicated that Kaden should follow him and led him down a hallway on the first floor to a room in the back.

Kaden’s eyes widened in shock. He guessed the room to be about the same size as his apartment, and the bathroom was at least three times the size of the postage stamp he’d had to bear with. “Wow,” he said in awe, unaware of Logan’s small smile at his wonder.

“You’ll have to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is at 5 a.m. You’ll need to prepare boxed lunches for the men to take since they’ll be eating out on the trail. Except for tomorrow. We’ll still be branding and castrating the steers already brought in. Dinner is usually around six. Make sure to have everything ready by then. Lunch is already over for the day so you’ll only have to make dinner tonight. I would suggest you get started once you’ve got all your things put away, since it’s already two.” Logan watched the boy wandering around the room just looking at things. Amusing, yet sad at the same time, it seemed that it had been a long time since the boy had been in a nice place. That fact made his heart wrench with sympathy and pity. “I’ve got to get back out there. But we’ll be back in at six.”

“Okay,” Kaden replied watching the large man leave. He quickly put away the few clothes he had, set the duffel bag, still containing the coffeepot, into the closet, and put his songbook on the bed before closing the door and heading out to the kitchen.

The pantry contained more food than he’d seen in his entire life outside of a grocery store, and he wandered through the room looking over the contents. After deciding on what would be the easiest to make in bulk, Kaden immediately lost himself in the love he had for cooking. By five thirty, he’d covered the table with huge steaming plates of fried chicken and three baskets of biscuits. Three giant dishes of mashed potatoes and a big pot of gravy sat on the sideboard next to the dining room table. He’d also made a huge pan of apple cobbler for dessert, currently staying warm in the oven. He tensed at the sound of men’s voices as they approached the house, and he backed up into the kitchen, trying to remain hidden.

Logan wondered how the kid had fared, but he needn’t have feared. The moment they came close to the house, his mouth began to water from the smell of the food waiting for them. His eyes opened wide in surprise at the sight of the steaming piles of food on the dining room table, and the men stopped speaking as they filed into the house, their own mouths dropping open. “Whoooweeee. Would you look at that?”

Kaden grinned at the man’s words but stayed inside the doorway, listening to the sounds of chairs scraping the wooden floor and silverware hitting the dishes. Once the men had settled down to eat, Kaden turned on the faucet, letting the sink fill up and piled the pots and pans next to it.

Logan entered the kitchen to see Kaden standing by the sink. “Congratulations, kid.” He gave a broad smile which dimmed quickly at the wariness that flooded the boy’s features. “I… uh… think you’re going to work out just fine. Why don’t you sit at the table with us?”

The teenager shook his head furiously and began edging his way down the hallway leading to his bedroom. “There’s apple cobbler in the oven, warming. Uh… I’m not really hungry right now. I’ll get something a little later.” Suddenly the teenager disappeared, and Logan sighed in frustration.

He made up a plate for his confusing cook, and after wrapping a paper towel over it, placed it in the microwave until later before grabbing his own food. The men were practically licking the bottom of the plates by the time dinner finished. He pulled out the apple cobbler and cut two pieces, one for him and one for the boy, before setting it on the dining room table. “Man, boss, I don’t know where you found this person, but this is the best cooking I’ve tasted since I lived with my mama,” one cowhand said, enthusiastically licking his fork.

Logan laughed and nodded in agreement. It amazed him how someone that young could have such a way with cooking. It killed him not to be able to ask questions about Kaden’s past. Terry hadn’t known much when he’d asked before he’d agreed to hire him. The men brought their dishes into the kitchen, piling them neatly by the sink for washing. Logan waited until the last man left before walking down to the boy’s room and knocking lightly. He heard muffled sounds of movement inside before the door opened. Kaden blinked up at him, caution still lurking in those beautiful violet eyes. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much that the boy seemed so afraid of him, but it rankled something fierce. “They’re gone. I saved you some food since I knew it wouldn’t last long with the men.”

“Th-thank you,” Kaden stuttered, amazed that the man had thought of him. “I’ll do the dishes first.”

“No. Eat first,” Logan insisted, turning to walk back toward the kitchen. He’d saved his apple cobbler to eat with the teen so he could have an excuse to be able to talk to him. He heard Kaden slowly following him down the hall. “Your plate is in the microwave.”

Kaden took out the plate and sat down at the table, almost moaning in dismay when Logan pulled out the seat across from him. He removed the paper towel, setting it aside, then picked up the piece of chicken, and began daintily eating. He tried to ignore the older man but wasn’t very successful.

Logan watched the way the boy ate, the tiny pink tongue flicking out to catch the small pieces of fried coating that stuck to his lips. It made him feel very warm, which confused him even more. He’d never been attracted to a man before, and he’d always been able to get any woman he wanted. In fact, he had a date that Friday night with Helen Chambers from the local beauty salon. Although he never intended to get married. He’d nixed the idea of marriage starting at the age of five as he watched his parents go through fight after fight.

“So, Kaden, how come you decided to come all the way out here to work?” Logan asked curiously, propping his chin in his hand.

Stiffening, Kaden wanted nothing more than to tell the man to mind his own business. “I needed a job. This was the only one available.”

“I’m sure you could have found something in the city. There isn’t much partying going on around these parts,” Logan drawled, not noticing Kaden starting to get agitated.

“I didn’t come here to party,” Kaden said, standing abruptly to go do the dishes.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Logan apologized hesitantly, noticing the teen’s stiff shoulders and posture.

“I’m not one for parties, Mr. Michaels. I came to do a job.” The dishes clattered as Kaden rearranged them, stacking them according to size for washing. He set his jaw in a firm line, stifling his anger that the cowboy believed he liked to party.

“It’s Logan. I hate being called Mr. Michaels. Too reminiscent of my father.” Logan grimaced at the thought and stood up, stepping close to Kaden to place his plate on the counter beside the sink.

Kaden felt the man come up next to him and flinched reflexively, causing him to drop the glass he held in his hand, watching in horror as it shattered in the sink. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he whimpered immediately, bringing his arms up to cover his head.

Logan stared in shock at the teenager’s reaction, but instead of commenting he decided it would be best to ignore the situation for the moment and began to pick up the pieces. “It’s all right. They’re cheap glasses, anyway.”

Surprise streaked through Kaden. Logan didn’t seem to be upset. “But… I broke it,” he said in confusion, letting his arms fall to his sides as he watched Logan pick up the pieces.

“Eh. I’ve broken almost one a day since I can remember,” Logan joked, tossing the pieces in the garbage and running the faucet to rinse the tiny shards down the drain. “I’ll dry while you wash, okay?”

Kaden nodded and moved to finish washing the dishes. His head whirled with all of the events of the day. He managed to relax a little as he worked side-by-side with Logan. He’d been so sure that the man would hit him for breaking the glass, but when he’d been so nonchalant and easygoing about it, his bewilderment deepened. Kaden’s stomach twisted painfully, and he finished up the dishes before fleeing the kitchen, tossing a muttered good-night to the large man.

The
next morning, Kaden got out of bed at three thirty to start breakfast and had heaping piles of scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, and home fries, along with toast and grits, waiting for the men when they arrived. One of the men caught sight of him as he skirted back into the kitchen and trailed after him, propping one shoulder on the doorjamb to watch Kaden move around the kitchen. “So you’re the one who has been making all this delicious food,” he drawled, looking appreciatively over the small form from behind.

Kaden squeaked in alarm, swinging around to face the tall man before stuttering, “Y-yes.”

The man, though not as big as Logan, towered over Kaden. He had small brown eyes that seemed to run leeringly over his body, making him swallow hard with disgust as bile rose in his throat. A red stripe ran across his forehead where the cowboy hat rested during the day. Kaden cautiously kept one eye on the stranger as he started to wash the pots and pans from that morning’s breakfast. Sounds of the men arriving filtered through to the kitchen, and the man pushed away from the doorway.

“Name’s Franklin Williams. What’s yours?” he asked, moving a little closer, his eyes watching the way the boy trembled slightly. He licked his lips as he continued toward him. The trembling increased, and it caused his dick to harden, pressing against the tight zipper of his jeans. Franklin felt like a fox hunting a rabbit, scenting the fear wafting from its prey.

“K-Kaden James,” he mumbled back, edging further away each time the man took a step.

“Well, Kaden James, for a guy, you’re certainly easy on the eyes,” Franklin murmured as he pushed closer to the boy while running the tip of one finger down Kaden’s pale forearm in an unwanted caress. “How about you and I spend some time together real soon? I could show you pleasures you’ve never dreamed of.”

Franklin leaned forward to try and capture his lips, but Kaden turned his head and tried to get away, much to the man’s anger. Eyes narrowing at the rebuff, he sniffed at the delicate neck before him. “You smell good, boy. Maybe I’ll just have you for breakfast instead.”

Logan approached the dining room, grinning when he heard the men all talking appreciatively. The sound of a dish dropping in the kitchen caught his attention, and he turned that way instead of going into the dining room. He immediately took in the scene before him. A dish lay in pieces on the floor, Kaden cowering against the counter, and Franklin stood leaning over him suggestively, one hand on Kaden’s tiny waist.

“Franklin,” Logan barked harshly, his eyes glittering dangerously. “Get your breakfast down and get to work,” he snarled in warning, and the man backed away like his feet were on fire.

“S-sure thing, Boss.” Franklin scurried from the room quickly.

Kaden breathed deeply. Pure panic raced through his veins. He barely registered Logan’s approach, or the man’s movements to pick up the dish. Memories ransacked his mind and body, leaving him a shivering, quivering mess. “Kaden?” He heard that deep voice, and he whined, raising his arms to protect his head while waiting for blows that never came.

“Hey, what’s all this? I’m not going to hit you. Shh. Just relax.” That liquid honey voice washed over him in tenderness, surprise and caring reflected deep inside, something Kaden hadn’t heard in a long time. He felt the man’s hand come to rest on his shoulder and shuddered, a mewling cry issuing from his throat.

Logan felt his chest tighten with pity and some other undefined emotion. If he hadn’t already guessed previously, Logan would have known for certain at that moment that the teenager had been abused and large men terrified him. He backed away carefully. “Kaden,” he called sharply, trying to get the boy’s attention.

The piercing sound brought Kaden to his senses, and he realized that he’d almost lost it again. He closed his eyes in shame. “I’m sorry. Do you want me to leave?”

“What? No. Don’t forget lunch is at noon,” Logan stated calmly before leaving the kitchen.

Kaden escaped to the solitude of his bedroom and lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. His body still trembled from the overload of terror, and a headache began to form behind his eyes. Not even a full day here, and he’d already been close to having a panic attack. His fists clenched in the sheets around him as he felt tears prick the corners of his eyes. Rolling into a ball, he pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. He didn’t want to disappoint Terry or Logan and that surprised him. Though only there sixteen hours, he cared what Logan thought. Finally, he managed to sit up without the urge to throw up and carefully climbed off the bed, stumbling back toward the kitchen to finish the dishes from that morning and start lunch.

For lunch, he started making huge mile-high sandwiches and a big heaping bowl of potato salad for the guys. Once they were made, he set them back inside the fridge until later and started to clean up the dining room area. A large table sat in the middle of the room with dozens of chairs piled around it, and the sideboard rested on the wall closest to the door leading into the kitchen. The walls, painted white, had very few decorations, just small paintings here or there.

The living room appeared to be a comfortable area and the most used. Two large overstuffed couches, well-worn from longtime use, took up most of the space. A wooden coffee table sat in front of those couches, scarred and beaten. A fireplace dominated one wall, a rocking and easy chair nearby, along with a bookshelf taking up another wall. He wandered over and read over the titles. He enjoyed reading because it gave him ideas for his songs and an escape from reality. Though Kaden had filled the notebook with them, he’d never shown his lyrics to anyone before. Shyness and apprehension of his own disappointment kept his hopes leashed tightly inside him.

He moved to the fireplace to look at the pictures on the mantel curiously. There were pictures of men he hadn’t met, but he did recognize the ones of Logan. He picked one up and studied it. Logan looked young in the picture, and stood proudly holding the reins of a big black horse. Everything about the tall cowboy reminded him of a lion: the air of confidence that surrounded him, the rippling muscles when he moved, the sandy blond mane, and even the graceful way he carried himself. His finger traced over the strong features, and he sighed, placing it back on the mantel. He could never have a normal relationship even if he wanted to. His anxiety would always ruin everything.

Deciding to clean while he waited for the men to come in for lunch, he threw himself into dusting, sweeping, and mopping. His mind shut down while he worked, and by the time he heard the scraping of boots along the porch, the dining room, kitchen, and living room fairly sparkled in the early afternoon sunlight. Kaden hurriedly set the sandwiches, plates, silverware, and the bowl of potato salad on the table before making his escape to his bedroom. He heard the chairs being pulled out from the table, and then laughing and joking. Deep voices hummed through the wood of his bedroom door.

It didn’t take long before there came a knock at his door, and he flinched, wondering if Logan had changed his mind. He wearily stood up from where he’d been sitting on the floor, his lyric book next to him, to open the door. Logan stood there holding a plate and a tall glass of milk in his hand. “I brought you something to eat before the men eat it all,” Logan explained huskily, his eyes taking in the dark circles beneath Kaden’s eyes and slipping past him to the composition book lying on the floor.

Kaden hesitantly took the food from Logan. “Thank you,” he whispered, still not able to look into those gorgeous green eyes.

A gasp jumped from his throat when a strong finger slid beneath his chin to lift his head. “If any of my men ever bother you again, you come tell me, okay? And I’ll deal with it,” Logan instructed him sternly, his expression serious.

Kaden swallowed nervously but nodded, feeling the calloused rough skin of that finger rubbing against the sensitive skin underneath his chin. It left a tingling sensation behind when Logan pulled away. His eyes immediately dropped to his feet before he spoke. “I’m sorry I broke another dish.”

Logan rammed his fist into his jeans pocket, trying to erase the feeling left behind by the kid’s soft skin. He didn’t know what came over him or possessed him to touch the boy. He didn’t even know why he’d been so angry that morning to see Franklin near him. It left him confused, and he didn’t like feeling off balance. “It’s okay,” he said gruffly before spinning on his heel and walking away.

Kaden gazed after him until Logan disappeared around the corner. Then he slowly closed his door and returned to his seat on the floor. He set the plate on the nightstand, not hungry in the least after the upset that morning. The side of the bed dug into his back, but he picked up his notebook to start writing again. After a while, the house quieted down, and he could hear the men shouting out in the corrals once again. He stood up and stretched, yawning as he shuffled to the kitchen. He cleaned up the dishes piled neatly beside the sink, drying them and putting them away for the next meal. When he finished, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. He gazed out the window and caught sight of a big white horse in one of the corrals outside. Curiosity made his feet move, and within moments, he stood outside the fence, watching the horse prance around the enclosed area. It snorted as it trotted near him, yet not close enough for him to reach out and touch.

It eyed him warily, moving restlessly along the enclosure. It seemed to be unhappy about being in there. “I know how you feel,” he muttered, moving closer to place his hands on the fence. “Trapped. Like you’ll never be free again.”

The horse seemed to nod at his words and gingerly moved a little closer to him. Kaden smiled and rested his chin on his hands on top of the fencing. He watched the horse dancing and running. He kept creeping closer and closer to where Kaden stood. Before long the animal came within reach, nibbling at his hair. For the first time in years, he laughed as it tickled him, the sound foreign to him. The stallion neighed and bumped his nose against Kaden’s cheek. Kaden carefully raised a hand to its forehead and started to rub there. The horse snorted again, causing Kaden to jump slightly. He stayed watching the animal for a while longer, enjoying the undemanding, non-frightening company.

Not long after, he returned to the kitchen to start the preparations for dinner. He decided to go with something easy and made two huge pans of lasagna, three large bowls of Caesar salad, and garlic rolls that he made from scratch. The kitchen smelled wonderful from the scent of the food cooking, and it permeated the house, drifting out of the open windows. Involved in his cooking, Kaden didn’t hear the front door open and shut, or the sound of booted feet moving through the house. He let out a small cry of alarm when a voice spoke behind him.

“Well, Logan’s done gone and got himself a fancy chef,” a female voice drawled, and he jerked around to find a girl about his age standing in the doorway. She grinned at his surprise. “I suppose he hasn’t told you about me.”

“N-no,” Kaden stammered, studying the girl in front of him. She was very pretty, with waist-length blonde hair pulled back in a braid that hung over one shoulder at the moment, and big green eyes twinkling with amusement. Her lips were a dusty red, and the grin only made them seem more perfect.