Page 38 of Hard Rain Coming

“Viv,” he said gruffly.

She shook her head and fiddled with the edge of her dress, trying her best to get her shit together before Dallas realized just how screwed-up she was. Because what sane woman would open herself up to this kind of hurt again? What sane woman would take a bite of that apple and not want to keep it forever?

Especially one with the kind of secrets she had. Secrets that could destroy whatever this was that she was too foolish to stop.

So, Vivian did what she was good at. She cleared her mind, pushed all that stuff into a corner she’d visit later when she was alone, and turned to face Dallas.

“Thanks,” she said lightly. “That was good.”

He’d pulled on his jeans, though they were undone. His abs and chest still gleamed with sweat, his arms loose at his sides.

“Good?” An eyebrow shot up, and though a lazy smile spread across his face, his eyes were unreadable.

That made her nervous. Dallas Henhawk had a way of seeing beneath the surface. She needed to leave. Now. She forced a smile.

“It’s been so long, Dal, I don’t have anything to compare it to.” She headed for the door. She almost made it free and clear when his voice rang into the darkness.

“I’ll see you around, Duchess.”

She bit her tongue, and though she wanted to run, Vivian managed to walk to the truck like a normal person. Only when she was clear of Dallas’s place did she let the tears flow. They came hot and furious, and they stung like hell.

Vivian had just done something she swore she’d never do again. She’d just put her heart on the line. On what planet could she be with Dallas if there were no strings? Hell, the invisible string that bound them together all those years ago was still there. It might be weak. But it was there. And this time, she wasn’t so sure she’d survive if things went south. Because this time, there was more to lose than just her heart.

“What the hell have you gotten yourself into?” she whispered into the dark.

There was no answer, of course. Just more tears.

Chapter Twelve

Dallas woke up to snow.

It wasn’t a lot, a couple of inches at best, but it signaled the end of fall and the beginning of a season that could be harsh. This year, the forecast wasn’t as kind as previous ones, but that was ranch life. Always bet on the worst-case scenario and prepare for something even worse.

He made a mental note to go over some things, but was confident their winter pastures were in good shape and the cattle would be able to forage efficiently. They’d have to bring in extra feed at some point, but that was to be expected. In the meantime, he had his own animals to look after.

Dallas rolled out of bed and started his day. He went about his chores and tried not to think about the night before because it had ended so damn wrong. It wasn’t easy, but animals had a way of making a man forget, and he went about his routine like any other morning. He fed his animals, cleaned out stalls, and generally avoided the area of the barn where he’d gotten into trouble the night before. He was still trying to do the not-remembering thing.

He finished up in the barn and was about to head back to the house when he spied something near his bench. Dallas stared at it for too long and then, with a curse, picked it up. It was a soft, black bit of fabric. One hundred percent feminine.

Sex with Vivian had always been hot. Even for a couple of fumbling teenagers who didn’t know much about anything. But last night had been different. They were adults now. And she was one hell of a woman.

God, she was beautiful. Uninhibited. Raw. She still reacted to his touch in a way no other woman did. And she pulled the same damn feeling out of him.

Yet he couldn’t get the image of her damp cheeks out of his mind. They’d had the best sex he could remember ever having, and she’d cried. Sure, she’d tried to hide it from him, but he saw, and it made him feel like shit.

One night with Vivian had his guts turned inside out, and that was something he didn’t have time for. So why couldn’t he stop thinking about it?

Fuck me.

With a sigh, he slipped the thong into the pocket of his jacket and closed up the barn. It was early, just past seven, and he was hungry. A cup of coffee and some eggs and bacon should go a long way in taming the pains in his stomach, and hopefully banish all thoughts of Vivian.

He’d just made a fresh pot of java and was rummaging through his fridge when a knock at the door surprised him. He set down eggs and milk on the counter and walked over to the window. An old red Chevy was parked beside his rig. He shook his head as he opened the door. The tailpipe was as rusted out as the rest of it. The sound alone would have woken the dead, so why in hell hadn’t he heard it?

Because you’re too damn distracted.

He opened the door wide and moved as his sister Jade walked past him and tugged off her boots. She handed him her jacket, like he was some damn butler or something, then walked into the kitchen.

“Good morning,” he said lightly.