On His Ranch by Dinah McLeod

Chapter 19

Piper’s arms had started to ache an hour ago, but she forced herself to ignore the pain as she kept walking. It was her backpack, and it would feel a lot heavier before she managed to make it to her aunt’s house.

One foot in front of the other, just keep going, just keep going, she sang inside her head as she channeled Dory from ‘Finding Nemo.’ I’m not gonna stop this time. No way. Not to eat, not to sleep, not if I get mauled by a bear! I’ll hobble along on a mangled leg if I have to!

Conjuring a bear in her mind’s eye made her pick the pace a bit, too. Piper was so lost in her own thoughts that it was a few minutes before she heard the low rumble of an engine behind her. She ignored it and kept moving, but when the vehicle didn’t pass her, she glanced to the side.

Almost as though he’d been waiting for just that, Chase called out the window, “Hey. Need a ride?”

Her brows drawing together, Piper turned away and kept right on walking.

“Piper? Did you hear me? I asked—”

“I heard you!” she shouted, a bit louder than she’d intended. “I’m not interested!”

“Come on, Piper, get in the truck.”

“No, thank you.”

“Where are you going? I could give you a ride.”

“Not interested! Go away!”

The truck stopped and she heard the sound of the door opening.

She picked up the pace even more, inwardly cursing her aching arms and her short legs.

Chase, seeing as he didn’t have either of those problems, had no trouble catching up to her. “Piper—”

She’d known she was pissed. Of course she had. Her guilt, her anguish, her hurt feelings had all given way to anger greater than anything she’d ever known before. But she had never planned on unleashing it, particularly not on the person who deserved it. But when he said her name, something inside her went off. She whirled around and glared at him.

“What the hell is your problem? I told you to go away and I meant it!” If looks could kill, Piper’s glare would have sliced right through him.

“I know. I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to see me, but I thought… I mean, you look like you could use a ride.”

“No, thank you,” she snapped, glowering.

“So, what’s your plan? You’re gonna walk the next… what? Six miles or so?”

“Something like that.”

Much to her surprise, he didn’t insist or demand she do what he wanted. She was poised, waiting for it, ready to fight tooth and nail to defend her position. But he didn’t push. He looks… different, Piper thought, eyes searching his face. Where’s his signature cowboy bravado?

“Can I please give you a ride?”

Hmm. He’d asked almost… humbly. That was out of character, too. She hesitated, shifting the bag away from one aching shoulder to the other. When Chase reached for her, she flinched and backed away.

Surprise flickered across his handsome face. “I… I just wanna help you with your bag.”

“I don’t need your help,” she snapped. Get out of here, Piper. Get out, before he sweet talks you into that truck and makes you forget what a jerk he is…

“Listen, I get that you don’t want to see me right now…”

“No kidding,” she snapped, nostrils flaring. She expected him to scold her for her tone, for disrespect, but he took it all in stride.

“I know, but I’m worried ‘bout you walkin’ all that way by yourself. Could you just… I mean, would you let me take care of you? Please?”

But rather than appease her anger, his words had the opposite effect and Piper felt her temper flare. “You don’t want to take care of me, remember?” When he didn’t answer, she pushed on. “You’re not my daddy,” she sneered, and quickly blinked back tears. “You weren’t a very good o-one anyway.” And she turned her head away before he could see her lip tremble.

“I’m sure you’re right about that, baby.”

The tender regret in his voice only made it harder to hold back tears. She didn’t know how she would be able to keep them from flooding her vision if she stayed with him. “Don’t—”

“Don’t call you that. I know. I’m sorry.”

And he sounded it. He really did. She wanted to look at him, but she didn’t dare. She was still mad, and she had every right to be. But if she looked at him, he might apologize with those dark, gorgeous eyes of his and win her back without a word. That would be letting him off the hook far too easily, and she wasn’t going to do it. She’d made some mistakes in her life, yes, some stupid ones, but she wasn’t weak.

“Piper, I really don’t want you walking all that way.”

“I have to leave. I have to go to my aunt’s.” She waited, holding her breath. She expected him to argue, to insist she go back to the ranch with him. If she was being honest with herself, part of her even wanted him to.

“I know.”

The words were soft, but they pricked her all the same. He did?

“And I know you won’t let me drive you. Can’t say I blame you.”

“That’s right,” she said, sniffling and trying to hide it.

“Take my truck.”

Her head snapped up. “What?” She looked at him, gaping as he stepped back and gestured toward the open door.

“Take it.”

“I’m not a thief.”

“I know you’re not. But… take it. It’s yours.”

“If you think I’m going to come crawling back—”

“I don’t expect you to. Just… if this is the only way for you to be safe… then I want you to have it.”

Piper didn’t know what to say. She let his words fall between them, unanswered. She searched his face, looking for one bit of cunning or hardness, but those rough angles had fallen away. In fact, she didn’t think she’d ever seen him like this. He was still as devastatingly handsome as ever, but… he was softer, somehow.

Right at that moment, her left ass cheek ached, and she took it as a sign. Get the hell out of here while you still have a chance. One minute he’s a caring daddy, the next he’s a hard-ass cowboy wielding a belt. Get out!

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

The hope she heard in his voice made her heart twist. A part of her wanted to give in to those regretful eyes, wanted to give him a chance to plead for mercy. But she couldn’t take the emotional ups and downs anymore. She just couldn’t.

“I’ll take the truck.”

There was no mistaking the disappointment that crossed his face, but Chase nodded. “Thank you.”

“Sure. How will I, um, get it back to you? Should I—”

“Keep it.” He reached a hand out, but seemed to think better of it and took another step back.

“Um… okay. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Piper tentatively walked up to the truck, slid her backpack off, and tossed it into the passenger side as her muscles screamed. Then she took a seat. It would have been nice to make a quick getaway, but her height and short legs put her at a disadvantage that caused her to have to spend a few moments fiddling with the knobs on the side of the chair to get it positioned the way she needed it.

Before she could do anything else, Chase leaned in. She tensed, but all he did was take the seat belt, reach around and buckle her in. As soon as it clicked, he righted himself again and shut the door.

“Drive safe.”

“Uh…” Her stupid, traitorous body was humming where his arm had brushed against her. “Yeah, I will. Thanks.”

“Piper?”

Her breath hitched. “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry I was a shitty daddy.” With that, he lifted his hand in a wave before turning and beginning to walk back in the opposite direction.

She sat there, her chest tight, hands clenched on the steering wheel, and watched until he was out of sight.

* * *

Three weeks later

“You just got another table, Piper,” Wendy announced, pushing her glasses on top of her head for the ninetieth time that morning.

In ten minutes, she’ll be telling everyone that will listen she can’t find them, Piper thought, hiding a smile. “Okay, thanks.” She walked back into the dining room, trying not to look as frazzled as she felt. She had only been working at the Robin’s Nest diner for a week, and in any other restaurant she’d still be in training. Robin, the owner, didn’t believe in training, however.

“I am a firm believer in sink or swim,” she’d told Piper mere moments after telling her she was hired on a trial basis. “Sink or swim.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she agreed with lots of nodding.

“Good, glad to see we understand each other. Now it’s time to throw you in the deep end and see whatcha got!”

More like being thrown to the wolves, she thought, squelching the urge to roll her eyes as she finished making the drinks for her table. Some things like that were leftovers from her time with Chase. She’d finally stopped thinking of him every waking moment, alternately agonizing over whether she’d made the right decision and convincing herself she had. But then there were times like that—and her newly found habit of ‘ma’am’ and ‘sir’ing everyone—where he surfaced and each time, it made her heart ache in her chest.

Just keep going, just keep going. It had become her new mantra. One day, it would stop hurting to think of him. Maybe given enough time she’d even be able to roll her eyes again. Now that would be true revenge!

Piper forced herself to smile as she went to deliver the drinks to her table. She took their food orders, punched them in, and went to greet her new table. Her forced smile froze on her face and she stalled in the aisle halfway there.

Sitting casually in the corner booth was Chase, real and in the flesh. He had spotted her, his dark, magnetic eyes trying to pull her in.

Of course he can’t even give me the courtesy of letting me see him first! she thought, the old anger surfacing.

“You gonna get his drink order, honey?” Wendy asked at her elbow. “I could take the table, if you’re too busy. I’m sure he’d rather a pretty young thing like you, but it’d give me some eye candy for the afternoon.”

For a moment, she was tempted. That would serve him right, to track her down—because she knew at once this couldn’t be a coincidence—and be handed off to someone else. She let out a sigh. “That’s okay, Wendy. I’ve got it. Thanks though.”

“Aw, shoot. Alright then.”

“Next time,” she promised with a giggle. But as she made her way over to his table, her amusement vanished. “What are you doing here?” she asked by way of greeting.

His brow arched. The familiar sight of it made her belly swoop. “Hello to you too. Can’t I just be hungry?”

Knowing that he wanted to scold her made her pussy clench. “Your mom’s food is better than anything we serve here, so you’d do better to head on home.”

Chase let out a low whistle. “Damn, little girl, I’d have thought your temper woulda cooled by now.”

Her belly knotted in delicious anticipation. She leaned forward and whispered, “Is it just killing you that you can’t do a thing about it?”

His eyes sparkled at her. “You remember. I’m touched.”

Oh, she remembered all right. Remembered far too well for her liking. Just now, inches away from him, she was haunted by the delicious memory of his hands on her skin… his lips on her breasts… his cock, huge and hard…

She stood up straight and did her best to look unruffled. “Well, if you’re intent on staying, I guess I’ll get you something to drink.”

“Just a coffee, please.”

“I’ll be right back.” She was eager to get away from him, frankly, and practically rushed back to the kitchen. She passed Wendy on the way who gave her a quizzical look, but she didn’t even stop for her friend.

Get ahold of yourself, Piper. You can’t do this. You can’t go down this road again. Remember how much he hurt you. Remember how much you hate him, she coached herself as she leaned over the ice machine, breathing in the cool, dry air and trying to calm herself. You hate him.

Except she didn’t. And she never had, not even when he was whipping her with his belt. If she hadn’t hated him then, how could she ever?

Fine, you don’t hate him. But you can’t be with him, either. He’s an asshole! He’s mean… and… and…

But that was where she’d always run out of steam, because his good qualities always seemed to outweigh the asshole argument.

I’ll just take him his coffee, she decided at last. It’s my job, that’s all. And he might leave a nice tip. He owes me that, at least.

Her hands were shaking as she carried the coffeepot over to Chase’s table. She steadied the cup with her other hand and mercifully was able to pour without making a mess. “There you go. Anything else?”

“Yeah. Think you could sit with me?”

“I’m busy,” she answered without a moment’s pause.

“Okay.” He picked up the cup and began to sip his coffee.

“Okay what?” She propped a hand on her hip, annoyed he could get her in such a state in ten words or less. She’d been doing fine without him—just fine! And now she was this shaky, unsure little girl again. She hated it.

And loved it. At least, if the knots in her belly tightening and loosening deliciously were any indication.

“I’ll wait,” he announced.

She felt irritation and delight flash through her with such speed, stacked one atop the other that it was dizzying. To hide it, she rolled her eyes. As soon as she did, her gaze flew to his face.

He’d noticed. She knew he had. The tell-tale muscle by his jaw was clenched.

Something inside her sang. Suddenly, warmth was flowing through her, she was tingling with excitement. “I won’t get off until late.”

“I’ll be right here.”

“You can’t do that.”

“And why not?” He raised the cup to his lips, but waited for her answer.

“I need the table. We don’t like loiterers here.”

“I’ll pay well for the privilege of stayin’ if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“‘Scuse me? Miss?” one of her customers beckoned.

She inhaled sharply, not as annoyed by his insistence as she should have been. Instead, she was frustrated another of her customers needed her. “I have to go.”

“So I gathered.”

“Whatever. Do what you want.” She shrugged and moved on to the table that had called her.

She tried to look normal—whatever that looked like—while she worked. She took orders, poured coffee, smiled and recommended dishes. She could feel his eyes all the while, following her every move. It was almost impossible not to acknowledge the burn of his gaze. She did her best to show indifference, but she counted down the seconds until it made sense for her to return to his table. He always waved her on after a few seconds, and she continued to pretend it made no difference, but she couldn’t lie to herself. She cared all right. She wanted him to wait for her. She wanted him to prove that she was important to him.

One by one her tables ate, paid their tabs, and left. It was over two hours later when Wendy told her to take her break. Chase was right where she’d left him, on his third cup of coffee.

It was kind of funny—before Chase, she hadn’t known how much of a brat she truly was. She had to be, it was the only explanation for why she fixed herself a plate of food and sat at the counter, right in front of him. She busied herself with salting her hash browns and squirting the perfect puddle of ketchup on her plate, pretending she didn’t know he was watching.

She felt her heart do all sort of gymnastic maneuvers in her chest when he took the seat at the bar next to her.

“Whatcha got there?”

“Hash browns with ham and cheese,” she replied, refusing to look at him despite the fact it was all she wanted to do. She pushed a forkful into her mouth, hoping to distract herself from the physical charge of his nearness.

“Any good?” Without waiting for her to answer, he picked up a spare fork from the silverware roll next to him and dug in.

“Hey! Those are mine!”

“You’re right,” he replied. “Ma’s are better.”

“You’re hopeless.” She rolled her eyes again, but blushed immediately afterward.

“I see you’ve gotten back into naughty habits,” he observed, his voice deliciously low. “No daddy has cured you of it?”

Her blush deepened and she turned her eyes back to her plate.

“I’ve missed that.”

“Missed what?” she couldn’t resist asking.

“You blushin’ so beautifully.”

She looked at him. “I’m not—”

Underneath the table, he put his hand on her knee and gave it a squeeze. “You’re not about to argue with me, are you, little girl?”

God, she’d missed that. Not that she would give him the satisfaction of admitting it. “You’re dressed differently,” she said, observing the denim shirt in place of his usual plaid. “What’s the occasion?”

“Well, I figured if I was gonna see you, I’d better do it up right.”

She forked another bite of hash browns into her mouth, chewing so she didn’t have to answer.

“You seem to be doin’ well.”

“If you call working at a small, Podunk diner well,” she answered with a giggle, because truthfully, she loved the owner who’d given her a chance, her quirky co-workers, the colorful customers.

“Hey, it’s work. That’s something.”

“Why are you here, Chase?” she asked, surprising herself with her forthrightness.

“Does there have to be a reason?”

“There usually is.” Her knee was pulsing from the heat of his hand. “Don’t you have work to do? How’s Senior?” she asked, embarrassed she’d been so consumed with lust that it had taken her this long to ask.

“Recoverin’ well, thanks for askin’. He’s not fond of the doctor’s orders, but he’s restin’ just the same.”

“Making your and Patti’s lives hell,” she speculated, giggling at the mental picture it evoked.

“You know him well,” he agreed, his tone warm.

She ducked her head again. It would be easy—too easy, to go down this path again. She needed to put a stop to it quick and let him know there was no chance. “Chase—”

“Piper—” he said at the same time.

They both broke off and when he grinned at her, she dropped her eyes to the counter.

“Come with me for a sec. I brought you somethin’.”

“A present?” Intrigued despite herself, when he slid off the stool and offered her a hand, she took it.

He walked her over to the booth and did not let go of her hand even after he sat, reaching under the table. When he brought his hand back up, she couldn’t stop the gasp that wrenched out of her.

It was a teddy bear. A large, overstuffed one with brown marble eyes and a face that was so charming it was impossible not to think it was actually smiling at her.

“What… what is this?”

“Well, I’d think that was obvious, ‘specially seein’ as how you want to open a business.”

She flushed, unsure if it was because of the gift, his gentle teasing, or the fact that he’d remembered. “I meant… why?”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I didn’t turn into a softie or anythin’ like that.” He winked. “It’s for you, so you can get back to work.”

She laughed, a hollow sound. “I take so many shifts here to pay back my… loan that I don’t have time for much else.”

Chase cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve been thinkin’ about that. And if you’d let me, I’d like to help.”

She shook her head.

“Well, thanks for thinkin’ it over,” he drawled.

Piper bit down on her bottom lip before she answered. “This is something I need to do for myself,” she explained. “That, and the back rent I owe Mr. Laskey. And after I catch those things up, I’m going to buy a used car. One I can get in cash.”

His eyebrows shot up. “What happened to the truck?”

“I sold it.”

Chase whistled low. “Well, then.”

No scolding, not even a disapproving expression. Piper couldn’t help but feel surprised. “You’re not gonna cry, are you?” she quipped.

“You know somethin’, I just might. I loved that truck.”

She couldn’t help but laugh.

“C’mon, stop bein’ difficult and sit a spell, hmm?”

She glanced at the empty bench across from him. “I don’t have long.”

“Well, as long as you do have then.”

Nodding, Piper slid across from him, her eyes roving his face.

“Somethin’ wrong?”

“No, I just… I’m surprised, I guess.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well… I thought you’d be mad. About the truck.”

He shrugged. “It was yours. I gave it to you to do what you wanted. I just hope you got a good price for it.”

She considered this with her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. “There’s something different about you.”

“It’s the shirt.” He grinned at her.

She returned the smile. “No, not just that. Something else. Did something… happen?”

“Yeah, you could say that, I guess.”

“You planning on telling me, or should I guess?”

Chase leaned forward, his expression solemn. “It’s been three weeks.”

Piper gave him a weird look. “I know that.”

“It’s been three weeks, and I can’t stop thinkin’ about you.” His eyes were earnest as he continued. “I’ve been in a few relationships, you know that. The last one… it really messed me up, Piper.”

She reached forward and surprised them both by taking his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Go on.”

“Well… I won’t get into everythin’, mostly because it doesn’t matter. It’s been a long time—a year or more.”

She nodded encouragingly.

“But suffice it to say, there was this girl. She was beautiful, and I was lonely, even though I hadn’t realized it at the time. And lookin’ back, I can see she just told me the things I wanted to hear, but see, I believed it at the time. I fell hard. I was so stupid,” he scoffed.

“I bet you weren’t. You’re the smartest person I know.”

“I ‘preciate you sayin’ that, but in this case, I was stupid. Believe me. Everyone tried to tell me—my ma, Senior, they all said somethin’ was off, that she seemed too good to be true. But I didn’t wanna listen. Things moved pretty fast.”

She squeezed his hand again, forcing herself to listen when really all she wanted to do was ask: how fast, how far, how serious had they been? Forcing the green-eyed monster back down, she said, “I’m listening. You can tell me anything.”

“It’s not somethin’ I talk about a lot,” he admitted.

And that’s when it hit her. She knew what was different. Chase—her big, strong rancher daddy—was vulnerable. It was all over his face, his softened tone. And it was all because of this girl—whoever she was.

“Because… because you still have feelings for her?” Piper asked, hating the way the question made her feel. Because if he did, she didn’t know what that would do to her. So much for not caring.

“No, I got over her pretty quick. Maybe I wasn’t as in love as I’d thought, or maybe it was because I saw her for the lyin’, connivin’ bitch she was.”

Piper drew her breath in sharply, unsure of which bothered her more: that he’d thought he’d been in love with another woman, or hearing that someone had played him.

He bent down and kissed her hand, hard. “I’m sorry. I shouldna said that, no matter how mad she makes me. You deserve better’n that.”

Her heart did a somersault in her chest. “No, um… it’s okay. Go ahead.”

“Well, anyway, one day I found her rifling around in the barn.” His eyes sparkled at her.

Piper was quick to take the bait. “Ah, that explains why you’re so sensitive about the barn.”

“I guess it does. Anyway, she explained it away and I believed her. Next thing I know, one of the cows gets sick, which made for an expensive vet visit. While I was busy with that, some of the papers in my office go missin’.”

She gasped at the sheer audacity of it. She couldn’t imagine anyone being gutsy enough to dare when it came to Chase. “Why would she do that?”

He shrugged, and the old, familiar cynical look was back in place. “Because she didn’t love me. She never had. She was a spy, paid to come and get whatever info she could on Whitfield Ranch.”

“But… but why?”

“We’ve had offers to buy us out for years. Long before I took over. Senior never wanted to move, and God willin’, never will. And I wanted to take it over, to make it my life’s work. But when I took over, I dunno. I guess those people sensed a weakness, because ever since, weird stuff has been happenin’ at the ranch.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Well, as it turns out, that cop that came out got a lead. They were able to piece it together and track it to Maisel Farms, a family that’s been after our ranch for a decade or more. Carolyn—that’s her name—turns out, she’s the sister of the men who’ve been makin’ offers to Senior for years.”

Piper’s eyes were so wide at this point she was sure she looked strange, but she couldn’t help it. “Did you have to see her again?”

“Yeah, I did.”

He said it casually, like it didn’t matter, and meanwhile she was on the edge of her seat! “Well?”

Chase shrugged. “I watched her get arrested. Her and her two brothers.”

“But what did you feel?” she pressured, wanting to smack him. Men! Did she really have to spell it out for him?

“Honestly? I’m glad to see the last of her. It feels like closin’ a chapter, one that shoulda been well and truly closed a long time ago. What I’m tryin’ to say is… I shoulda listened to you, Piper. I’m sorry that it took you’re leavin’ for me to realize it.”

She was breathless. She couldn’t speak. Which worked out, because she had no idea what she’d say if she could. Because as she looked into those familiar dark eyes shining with warmth she realized something: he was vulnerable because of her. He’d never said so, not in words, but suddenly she knew as sure as she was breathing: he loved her.

“Is there any chance… I mean… I was thinkin’…”

She watched him, shocked further. She’d never heard him so unsure of himself, so tongue-tied. It was beyond flattering. He was doing things to her heart right now she hadn’t known were possible.

“Do you hate me, Piper?” he got out at last.

A lump rose to her throat. “No. I could never hate you, Chase, even if I should.”

“Maybe you should.”

She locked gazes with him. “I know I disobeyed you. But I only did it because—”

“I know.”

“Senior was hurt, and you—”

“I know.”

“Were being so difficult.”

He gave her hand a squeeze, causing her to fall silent at last. “I know, Piper. You were right. I was wrong.”

Her jaw fell so fast it nearly came unhinged. But knowing it wasn’t attractive, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

“I know a good daddy is supposed to be above reproach, and that day, I wasn’t a good daddy to you. I’m sorry.”

He meant it. She could see that in each line of his face—he meant every single word.

“I was angry, and I was harsh. I regret it, Piper. I should’ve cooled off before ever takin’ you over my lap. If I had sat and thought about it awhile, I never would’ve done that. And if I could take it all back, I swear I would.”

The knots in her belly twisted. She couldn’t believe he was here, saying all the things she’d been longing to hear for the last three weeks.

“I miss you. And I was just wonderin’… if you might miss me too, even just a little.”

She never dreamt this, though. Piper didn’t think she’d ever have been able to imagine the raw honesty she was seeing. She was in control, holding all the cards for once, and damn, it felt good.

But there was more to it than that. She needed to move on with her life. Because as much as he made her body crazy, he’d also proven he could make her miserable. She had never cried more in her twenty-two years than she had since she’d left the ranch.

“No.”

Hurt flickered across his features, but it was swiftly replaced with resignation. “I guess that’s that then.”

“Wait, please. Let me explain.”

“You don’t owe me any explanation.”

“I want to. It’s not that I don’t miss you, Chase. Of course I do. But… I’ve cried so much these last few weeks, I’ve made myself sick. I’ve missed you and I wanted… but I just can’t risk it. I’m sorry. I can’t risk ever getting hurt like that again.”

He smiled sadly. “You don’t need to say you’re sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry.” As he spoke, he stood and pulled out his wallet. He tossed two twenty-dollar bills on the table. “It was good to see you, Piper. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

Tears sprang to her eyes, but she stubbornly blinked them away. “I promise.”

He put a hand on her shoulder, patted it, then dropped his hand.

She didn’t turn to watch him walk away. She looked at those twenty-dollar bills, the potatoes and cheese she’d had suddenly feeling heavy in her stomach. She stared at them until the numbers blurred. Piper reached up and flicked her tears away, then slid out of the booth.

“Chase!”

He froze, his hand on the door. By the time he turned around, she was running across the restaurant. He caught her in his arms, but before he could say a word, she was pulling his head down and kissing him with all the fervor of lovers that had been parted for almost a month.

When they broke apart, they were both panting and her heart was soaring in her chest.

“You musta missed me more than a little.”

Her only answer was a giggle. His laugh echoed her own and the more she laughed, the harder he did too. By the time they were finished, she’d never felt so light. So free. And judging by the look on her cowboy’s face, he felt it too.

“You two kids get outta here,” Wendy groused behind her, but there was a crooked smile on her wizened face.

“My shift…”

“It’s dead in here. ‘Sides which, seems like you’ve got more important things to take care of.”

Chase offered her a hand and she took it and the two of them walked out together. “You need a ride to your aunt’s?”

“Well…”

“How’s that goin’, by the way?”

Piper couldn’t help but be flattered by the concern in his expression. “You know, actually, better than I thought.”

He smiled softly and squeezed her hand. “I’m glad. More than I can tell you. And Ma will be glad to hear it, too. She’s been ‘specially worried.”

“Oh, Ma has,” she teased.

“What! She has! We all have,” he added, but he was chuckling. “I’d forgotten how much of a brat you are, you know.”

Piper flushed but didn’t respond.

“Are you borrowin’ her car?”

“Uh, no…”

“You take the bus then?”

“Ah, actually, Chase…”

But before she could work up the courage to tell him, he spotted it. She knew he had, because his body stiffened and then he growled low in his throat. “Do my eyes deceive me, or did you lie to me, little girl?”

But she surprised them both by tossing her head back and laughing. “What are you going to do about it, huh?”

Chase’s jaw had dropped when he spotted the beat-up truck he’d been using since high school. He turned slowly to look at Piper, stunned even further to see that brat of his was blushing, head ducked, all the while grinning ear to ear. “Why did you lie to me, Piper?”

Her toes skirted across the pavement. “I don’t know.”

“I’m sure you do, little girl, you jus’ don’t wanna fess up. Come on, out with it.”

She lifted her face to look at him. “I don’t know,” she insisted. “I just thought…” Her voice trailing off, she ducked her head once more.

A thought hit him, but he couldn’t believe it. He leaned close and whispered, “Did you want me to spank you?”

When she giggled, it caused his cock to surge in his pants. But then she went one step further, batting her lashes at him as she replied in a singsong voice, “Maybe!”

Chase stood there, stunned. He didn’t know what he wanted more—to teach her naughty butt a lesson, or to fuck her.

“This isn’t like you,” she observed with another giggle, far too pleased with herself. “Cat got your tongue?”

His palm itched, but something more powerful stayed his hand. “Piper… after last time… how could you trust me?”

Her brow furrowed. “What are you saying, Chase?”

“I made a mistake spankin’ you. Are you sure you really want to jump back in with both feet after…”

Piper’s eyes searched his face for what felt like forever as he forced himself to stay put, knowing he’d earned whatever judgment she might pass.

“I love you, Chase.”

Her words were like a wound to the heart, because he knew he didn’t deserve her love. He was so unworthy of it. “Piper—”

“When we love people, we can get over a mistake, right?”

Damn it, she was so beautiful, so innocent and sweet. She was all the things she’d shown herself to be and more. He hated that he’d ever doubted her. But now that he had put away those doubts forever, he was free to love her the way he should’ve from the start.

“I don’t deserve you,” he murmured, squeezing her hand.

“I’ll remind you of that every time you get mad from now on.”

“I’m sure you’ll try.” He shook his head, still taken aback by her blinding smile. This was a playful, carefree Piper—she must have faced some of her own demons, and he couldn’t wait to hear all about it. But that could wait. They had other business to tend to first.

Piper must have thought so too, because she said, “Now, are you gonna spank me, or what?” She dropped his hand and went skipping up to the truck, giggling.

“A three-week break must be longer than she can handle,” he mused as he watched that cute butt sashay away. Then he gave chase. He slid into the truck while she laughed in the passenger side.

“Lying is a very serious offense,” he warned her sternly as he hit the lock button.

Piper giggled. “That’s what I was hoping for, sir.”

“Hey. That’s Daddy to you.”

Her breath hitched as he caressed the side of her face, and she positively glowed. “Yes, Daddy.”

In moments, he had her face-down over his lap. He took his time pulling down her panties inch by inch. When her cheeks were bared, he began to rub her orbs, taking his time, allowing her to think about what she had coming. When the giggling quieted and she began to squirm, he figured it was time to move on to the lecture.

“You know that lyin’ is never okay, don’t you?”

“I was mad,” she replied, the words muffled.

“It’s wrong even when you’re mad.” He lightly tapped her left cheek, then her right, grinning to himself as she clenched her buttocks. “Relax your bottom, little girl.”

She craned around to look at him with the wide doe eyes he’d been dreaming about since their first night apart. “Is it gonna hurt?”

“Yes, baby, it’s gonna hurt.” He tapped harder, just to watch her wince. “But then it’s gonna be over, and you and I will be okay.”

“Promise?”

He bopped his finger off her nose. “Promise. In fact, we’ll be better than okay.”

The tension in her expression eased some, although there was still worry in her eyes as she turned back around and draped herself over his lap. “Okay. I’m ready.”

Normally, he would have made her wait some more, reminding her of who called the shots and decided when the spanking started. But all things considered, he wanted to get this over with and move on to better things. So he began, his heavy palm ringing out like a shot as he spanked from one cheek to the next. Her pristine creamy flesh began to turn pink almost at once. He concentrated on creating an even palette of dark pink and when each cheek matched it, he began to work down lower where her thigh and buttock met.

“Yeow! Chase! Please, stop!”

“Not yet, baby. Not until I’m done.” He picked up the pace and began to spank each of her sit-spots in turn as she writhed over his lap. “Be still,” he scolded, delivering an extra hard spank. “Or I’ll have to start over.”

“Please, don’t! Daddy, please!” she howled.

Smiling to himself, he let his hand work back up the right side of her ass cheek, then back down the left, peppering each cheek with firm, crisp spanks. “Are you going to think twice before you lie to me again?”

“Yes! I promise! Just, please—”

“Even when you’re mad?” he demanded, adding three quick spanks to the top curve of her ass.

“Yes! Yes, Daddy! I swear!”

“Only bad little girls lie,” he scolded as he gave her thighs some punishing attention.

“I know!” she whined, trying to twist away.

His grip around her waist tightened as he continued to scald her bottom cheeks. “Are you a bad little girl?”

“No, Daddy! I’m not! I sweeeaaarr!”

“Good. Now, an even dozen then and I think we’ll be done.”

“Daaaddddyy, please! Please, stop! I’ll be a good girl if—”

“Good girls do as they’re told,” he reminded her firmly.

Piper promptly burst into tears, but after a minute she stilled over his knee, sniffling as her shoulders shook.

He gave the strokes slowly, each right in the center of her ass. After the crack of his hand sounded, she jutted forward and cried out. He counted them out in his head, his cock hard and pushing against his zipper. It wasn’t comfortable by any means, but he wasn’t going to short-change giving his girl what she needed.

“Almost done, baby,” he told her as he delivered a sharp crack to her behind.

“Oooo-www!” she crooned. “It hurts, Daddy!”

“I know, baby girl. Just a few more. You can do it.” His hand slammed into her crimson buttocks.

Piper yelped and began to sob.

Another swift spank descended on her glowing orbs. Then another. “You’re taking your punishment like a good girl,” he soothed. “Just one more.” He made it a good one—a hard smack over her sit-spot.

As soon as he’d finished, he helped her up to a sitting position on his knee. Without waiting for him to speak, Piper buried her face in his shirt and began to soak it with her tears.

“Shhh, it’s over now,” he murmured as he rubbed her back. “You’re a good girl. I’m so proud of you, baby,” he said over and over until her sobs had quieted to sniffles.

“Ar-are you r-really?” she asked in a quavery voice as she peeked up at him.

He snuggled her and kissed the top of her head. “‘Course I am. I wouldn’t lie, now, would I? Then I’d be the one gettin’ licks.”

She giggled. “You’re funny when you’re not being mean, Daddy.”

“Oh, mean, am I?” He reached over and tipped her chin up and began to wipe the tear tracks on her cheeks. “Well, I guess you’ve got a point. But I think you like having a daddy who’s a little bit mean.”

She put her thumb and forefinger together and showed him about three inches.

Chase chuckled and leaned forward to kiss her nose. “Lucky me. Now, tell your daddy somethin’, little girl. And no lies now.”

Regarding him with wide eyes, she shook her head.

“Are you wet?”

Her cheeks stained with humiliation, answering his question even before she squirmed adorably on his lap and whispered, “Yes, Daddy.”

He clucked his tongue. “Naughty baby. Next time I’ll be sure to make it a harder spankin’, seein’ as you seem to have trouble staying focused.”

“No, Daddy, please don’t.” She shook her head from side to side.

“Well, we’ll see. You just keep bein’ on your best behavior.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Now, be a good girl and climb to the backseat. Then I want ya to pull your panties all the way down and drop them on the floor.”

“Hmm, what are you going to do to me, Daddy?”

When she batted her eyelashes at him, he could hardly stand it. And the little brat seemed to know it, because she took her time obeying in long, drawn-out gestures.

“Now lie down.”

Piper didn’t tease him this time. She looked too eager and immediately laid on her back, looking at him, waiting.

Chase inhaled deeply, grinning as the smell of her excitement permeated the air. It wasn’t an easy feat at six-foot-one to climb into the backseat, but he managed. He sat down on the floor and put a hand between her thighs. It was immediately slicked with her juices. “Tsk, tsk,” he clucked his tongue. “Never known a girl to get more turned on by a good, hard spanking.”

Piper’s face flushed so deeply Chase was tempted to compare it to her punished bottom.

“Should I make you admit it again?” he teased in a whisper.

“No… no, sir.” She blushed deeper and squirmed.

“Alright then.” With that, he reached for her shirt and pulled it over her head. He took a minute to look at her full breasts clasped in a light pink bra. “Aw, baby,” he said with a grin, glancing at her panties on the floor. “You match.”

“Do daddies like matching?” she asked in a little-girl voice that belied her knowing grin.

God, the things this one did to him! “Well, I don’t know about other daddies, but this one does.” He reached around and his fingers fumbled for a few seconds before he managed to unhook the clasp. At once, her breasts tumbled out. Once he’d freed her of another piece of clothing, he tossed it up front and took a moment just taking her in. Was it possible she’d gotten even more beautiful in three weeks? Or had he just missed her that much?

“Spread your legs,” he ordered. She was quick to obey, and as soon as she had, he inserted a finger into her dripping pussy. He flicked his finger around, testing the pools of her wetness. “Baby girl, you’re absolutely soaked.”

“I waited on a really cute guest before you got there,” she quipped with a coquettish grin.

“Is that so?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“You sure we don’t need to have any more conversations about truthfulness?”

“Well, not today, but I bet there’ll be another time.”

She said it so exasperated that he couldn’t help but laugh. “I s’pect you’re right. Well, just lie back and enjoy.” With that, he inserted another finger and thrust them in and out of her, increasing his speed as she moaned.

“Daddy,” she breathed, hot and heavy.

“Hmm?”

“If you keep doing that, I’m going to…”

“Going to?” he prompted, his fingers fast at work.

“I’m going to come, Daddy,” she whispered.

“Uh-uh. You better not.”

She looked up at him, wide-eyed in surprise. “What?”

“You heard me, little girl. This time, you don’t come before me, understand?”

“But…” Her features twisted in pouty, helpless frustration.

“No buts,” he told her, his other hand coming up in a sharp, warning smack against her left thigh.

“Ouch,” she whimpered, giving him pleading eyes.

“It’s time your body learns how to obey your daddy. Don’t come until I say. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” she murmured dutifully.

Good. It would keep things between them interesting. Chase thrust his fingers in and out of her pussy a few more times before withdrawing them. He brandished them in front of her, letting her see how wet she’d made his fingers just for the pleasure of watching her face redden as she looked away.

Then he bent down to kiss her breasts, one after the other. He took his time, kissing up and down her right breast before he came to her nipple. He pulled it into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue, delighted by her gasps and moans. He suckled her breast until her nipple became a hardened pebble in his mouth, then he switched sides and suckled the left. When he’d finished, she let out a long, contented sigh.

“Still good?”

“Mmmm,” she murmured in reply.

Chuckling, he ducked his head and kissed her chest, working his way down her flat stomach to her quivering thighs. He lapped up some of the wetness on each thigh. The sound of her groan was enough to make his cock strain against his zipper, and he could wait no longer. Tearing his pants down, he loomed over her. Seeing her large doe eyes on him only made him more eager to sink his cock into her warm, wet pussy.

“You still haven’t said,” she whispered.

He stilled. “What?”

“That… that you love me.”

“Of course I love you,” he said, his voice rough with need.

Her breath hitched. “Really?”

“One thing I have no doubts about is how I feel about you.” He held her gaze steadily, wanting her to see the truth of his words. “I’ve never felt this way before, Piper.”

A smile gently curved her lips.

But although he was a man of few words, for once he wasn’t done. “I gave you my truck because I love you.”

“Some men buy flowers,” she teased.

“I came all this way to find you because I love you,” he continued earnestly. “I’d drive any distance, I’d give you anything I have. That’s how much I love you, Piper. Why else would I spank your naughty bottom when you’re a bad girl?”

“I always thought you liked that,” she said, giggling up at him.

“I like every part. I would do anything for you, Piper.”

“Except let me get away with anything.”

He chuckled. “Yep. Except that.” Then he plunged his cock into her wet depths and it was even better than he’d been anticipating. He thrust inside her, the tightness in his balls building as they slapped against her thighs.

“Oh, Chase,” she murmured, reaching up and grabbing him.

“Remember what I said, little girl,” he ground out. “You better not come.”

“I won’t, Daddy,” she promised, her legs wrapping around his back.

He moved inside her with purpose, each and every thrust pushing him further toward his own climax. Piper was helping him along as she arched her back, hips rising to meet every thrust. When she curled her legs around him, it spurred him to harder thrusts that made her cry out and buck.

“I… I can’t… hold it any longer, Daddy!” she cried out breathlessly, her arms tightening around his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin.

“You better,” he rasped out as the feeling of her need pushed him harder and faster. As their bodies met time and again, he was pushed toward his apex.

“Can I come, Daddy, please?” she begged.

God, but she was sexy. Every time he thought it couldn’t get any better, she went and said something like that. “Not yet, little girl,” he said, even though his balls grew tighter than he’d ever thought possible.

She threw her head back, moaning and shutting her eyes, whether in disappointment or ecstasy as their bodies moved together, he didn’t know.

His breathing came faster as he pumped into her tight, wet pussy. His blood was coursing hot through his veins and his body was tightening with need. Chase grunted as he drove his rock-hard cock inside her again and again.

“Now?” she murmured, her voice soft, yet desperate with need.

Next lesson’ll be on patience.But he was too close to teach it now. “Yes, baby. You can come. Come for me, baby!”

Piper groaned loudly as she came, her body shaking.

She opened her mouth, but he didn’t intend to let her speak anytime soon. His lips clamped down on hers as he continued to pump inside of her. When she finally managed to moan and gasp, he swallowed the sounds.

I love you,he thought as he drove inside her again and again. I want you to know just how much. And until I find the words, this’ll have to do.

He felt his own orgasm building and his thrusts became wild and frenzied. Piper dug her nails into his shoulders and clung onto him as his balls tightened. He had to break their kiss out of sheer need to breathe.

Just in time for her to cry out, “Daddy! Daddy, yes!” Then she began to tremble. Piper threw back her head and screamed her pleasure, apparently not caring if the entire diner heard.

Neither did he. Hell, just then he didn’t care about anything but the way their bodies fit together and the joy it brought them both.

Chase clenched his teeth and grunted with his own orgasm just before he fell on top of her. He held her close, breathing in the scent of her nearness, happier than he’d ever been in his life.

Cowboy Conduct Rule #4, he thought as she nuzzled his neck. Love your woman with all your body, heart, and soul.