Saving Grace Read online

  Curiosity began festering within her as she wondered what Wayne Wagner’s story was. Did he have children? Was his marriage in shambles? Was she being deceived at this very moment and would soon discover a side to him she would want to forget?

  “Do you have children?” he asked. He rocked in his chair, each time the springs whining in protest.

  “No. No children.” Thank God for that. Children didn’t need to be a part of her life. It wasn’t fair for her, never mind an innocent child.

  He tapped the end of a pencil against his lips and regarded her thoughtfully.

  “I’ve seen men like your husband all my life. They think money can buy them everything, including happiness, including love. It’s not true. He may not even learn the truth in his lifetime if he’s stubborn enough, but money can’t buy the important things.” He leaned over the desk on his elbows, his hands folded under his chin. “You’re more valuable than money, Grace. You’re not a trophy or a commodity and certainly shouldn’t have been sold off for a corporate account.”

  Tears pricked at Grace’s eyes, and her throat seized and burned as she fought like hell to keep her emotions in check in front of this stranger.

  “It’s okay, Grace. You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to express yourself and have a voice. I won’t steal that from you like he did. While you’re here, you’re free to do as you please. I encourage you to explore, to learn, to grow, and I won’t hold you back. I’ll never force you to do anything you’re not fully comfortable with. Jealousy, control, machismo are not traits you’ll find with me.”

  “Then, why? Why did you agree to this swap?”

  “I lost my wife a long time ago. When she looked for excuses to get into your husband’s pants, I didn’t try to stop her. It’s not my place to hold her back from what she truly wants in life. After the swap, she won’t be coming back, though. She’s bought a condo in New York, and I wish her all the best. Country life and simple living have never agreed with her, and like I said, I refuse to force what I want onto anyone else.”

  “Well, I can assure you that she’s getting the short straw in all this. Ken is not a prize, nothing to be sought after.”

  “Then why are you with him?”

  Why was she with him? Was she scared of what awaited her in the world? Did she play the role her family and society expected her to play? Had she finally come to believe the negativity Ken fed her on a daily basis to the point she believed she was unlovable, undesirable, and worthless? Maybe a bit of everything, but that still couldn’t explain why an educated woman would watch her life pass by her in a constant state of misery and stress.

  “Because I’m a good wife. I do what’s expected and keep my mouth shut.”

  Wayne frowned and tsked. “Not anymore, Grace. I want you to do the unexpected and speak your mind. Break loose from his binds.”

  She fought the overwhelming urge to hug him, to fold herself into his arms, and to allow him to fend off the world. Nobody ever spoke to her the way he did, and she liked it, treasured it. Maybe she was naive, or just so goddamned starved for kind words, but she trusted him.

  “I’m going to get one of my guys to saddle up a horse for you and show you around the property. This land has been in my family for generations, and I want it to be enjoyed. Would you like that?”

  Grace nodded, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

  “Good.” He stood up and picked up a phone from his desk, a landline, something she rarely saw. “And if anyone gives you any trouble, they’ll answer to me.”

  Chapter Four

  Wayne led Grace from the back door to the main barn, his steps always unhurried. It would take some getting used to because Ken forever rushed around in a constant state of chaos. This place symbolized a detox of sorts, a chance to unlearn everything programmed into her, a place where she could learn to relax and savor life instead of hiding from it.

  Behind her, the wooden screen door smacked shut several times before settling. Two cats raced by, almost tripping her as she followed behind Wayne, his thumbs hooked in his front pockets.

  “Chase, don’t forget Mr. Allan wants those six calves delivered today.”

  “They’re already in the truck, boss. Just waitin’ on Trevor.”

  “Take Bradley. I have another job for Trevor today.”

  Grace noticed how she became invisible to all the ranch hands now that Mr. Wagner accompanied her. They respected him. Not in the way people typically respected their bosses, putting on a front while face-to-face but trash-talking and cheating them when they turned their backs. No, these men respected Mr. Wagner because he was kind and fair and at the same time expected a lot and ran with a strong hand. A winning combination, and she knew those men would do anything for him, just as she started to believe she would.

  The barn smelled of hay and manure, not an unpleasant scent. In fact, it reminded her of long drives in the country when she’d take off to be alone or cry where nobody could hear. As they neared the towering open doors, Trevor was leaning against the frame, mopping his brow with a white T-shirt.

  “Trevor.”

  “Wagner. What’s doing?”

  “How about you take a break and give Grace a tour of the property…horseback style.”

  “I could do that. Bareback?” He straightened up and adjusted his cowboy hat to give Grace the once-over.

  It didn’t pass Mr. Wagner. “Best behavior. I don’t want Grace telling me she had a bad experience with you.”

  “Of course not.” He gave Grace a crooked smile. “She’d never have a bad experience with me.”

  Grace blushed, realizing she’d been staring at his bare chest like a lovesick schoolgirl, and caught the double meaning of his words.

  Mr. Wagner pulled Trevor to the side and spoke in a hushed voice that she couldn’t hear. A moment later, Trevor headed into the barn, waving an arm for her to follow.

  Mr. Wagner shrugged and smiled. “Better get a move on. Remember, today is about breaking those shackles. Be yourself, and have fun.”

  “I will.” She jogged through the dim center of the barn, which opened up on either side, to catch up with Trevor. At the opposite end of the barn, he stopped in front of a stall, the rear of a black-and-white Appaloosa protruding out. Standing to the side, she patted the horse, loving the solid feel and its prickly coat.

  “You know how to saddle a horse?” he asked.

  “I used to. My parents made me take lessons, but that was a long time ago.”

  He stepped a few feet away and hoisted up a sturdy Western saddle and blanket, then sidled up beside the horse in the stall and lifted it onto its back. She watched the muscles in his sides and shoulders as he moved. They were a complete distraction. His strength, his rugged good looks, and his fit body held her attraction.

  “There. All you have to do is fasten her up and you’re all set. I’m gonna saddle my horse. Then I’ll come check on you.”

  Exiting the stall, he brushed past her, stomach to stomach, as she tried to slip in. The contact slammed through her and made her desperate to touch him. But he wasn’t hers, and she was a married woman. Grace shook her head. Not a married woman, not anymore. Ken had sold her off to Mr. Wagner, so she could do as she pleased. The idea sent a sly smile to her face, and a warm sensation trickled through her.

  Grace gathered up the leather straps and examined them. She hooked the end through the metal loop on the cinch strap, but couldn’t remember the proper knot for the life of her. After playing around with it, hoping her memory would flick on at any moment, she felt a rush of warm breath and heard a deep voice come from right behind her.

  “Need help?”

  She clenched, fully able to sense that he stood right behind her in the confined space beside the horse. They were wedged close enough that she had no room to maneuver. His heat, his bare skin, and even his voice had her pussy tightening and throbbing. It reminded her of those last minutes during a test in college when no time remained, but she knew all
the answers. That buildup of energy turned almost sexual, and she now experienced the same desperation.

  “Yeah.”

  He enveloped her, an arm coming around on each side of her as he pressed into her back. With the leather strap in hand, he pulled hard. His muscles bulged around her, his face almost touching hers as he looked over her shoulder.

  “See, you have to pull extra hard because these horses are smart. They bloat out their stomachs to get an easy ride later on, but not so lucky for the rider if your saddle slips when you’re riding. If you pull hard now, when the horse relaxes after, it’ll be a perfect fit.” He finished with the saddle, then set both palms on the horse, pinning her in place. “Nothing like a perfect fit.”

  Oh God, she almost gagged with the need in her core rolling through her in violent ripples. Her traitorous body began to pant, and her mouth went dry.

  Trevor’s right hand slid down the horse’s black-and-white coat. Grace tracked his movement. She gasped when he cupped her crotch through her jeans and kept his hand in place. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he felt it pulse beneath him.

  “You smell sweet, Grace.”

  He nuzzled her neck, breathing in deep. When his exhale came out as a near growl, she didn’t have to guess how much he wanted her.

  She swallowed hard, but couldn’t talk. What would she even say? This was new territory for her. His mouth enveloped her ear. The rush of heat and echo of breath, combined with the extreme jolt to her sensitive nerves, had her gasping for air. He sucked and tongued the erogenous zone while keeping pressure on her cunt. Her eyes drifted shut. It took everything in her power to not lose herself completely to his advance.

  The sound of hooves clicking on the concrete came toward them through the barn. Irritation flared through Grace. She didn’t want him to move his hand or his mouth. In fact, she wanted to see how far he’d take things.

  “Trevor,” someone called out.

  Now he did growl, pulling off her and slipping out of the stall in a flash. She fell back against the wooden boards, her legs turned weak, and her pussy ached from where he had held it.

  “You taking Bessie out or what? She’s all saddled and ready to go.”

  “Gimme her.”

  Grace peered out to see Trevor snatch the reins from another worker before giving him a less than aggressive shove. It looked like the other man would push back, but he noticed her peeking out. His expression turned from frustrated to playful in the span of a second.

  “What you doing with her?” He jerked his chin toward her, causing Trevor to turn around.

  “That’s none of your business, Conner. And I’ll be thanking you later for interrupting me.”

  Trevor shoved him again, but this time, Conner just stood and stared, deflecting him with a shoulder shrug. Didn’t any of these guys ever see a woman before? Shit, she felt like the only woman on the planet the way they devoured her with their eyes. How intimidating, being only one among dozens of males.

  “Come on, Grace. Follow me out back.”

  She untied the lead and backed the horse out of the stall, careful not to get her toes stomped on. To her discomfort, Conner stood in the same spot, raking his eyes up and down her body. Something menacing about his aura sent a chill racing up her spine when she met his hard gaze. She clicked her tongue and took quick steps out of the barn with the Appaloosa.

  Trevor waited for her out back, the sun highlighting his golden blond hair. His ratty T-shirt, now pulled on, fit snug and didn’t hide his outline or those muscular arms. Everything changed after what happened in the barn. Unable to look him in the eyes, she couldn’t control her blushing so easily.

  “Do you want me to help you mount?”

  She thrummed with need on hearing his voice, and his choice of words made her horny as hell. Quite capable of getting on the horse herself, she played dumb, desperate to have his hands on her once again.

  “Yes, I think I need help.”

  He tied his horse to a fence rail a few feet away and then came at her, all business. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth. Her heart rate increased as he neared, every circuit in her body misfiring in anticipation of his next move.

  “Put your hands on my shoulders,” he said, standing tall in front of her. She complied, resting her hands lightly on the muscled broadness he offered. “Okay, this leg up first.” He gripped the back of her thigh so high up that he almost cupped her ass.

  Disappointment rocked her when she swung up onto the horse in a too-quick move, breaking all contact. She had intended to take her time, cop a feel, and enjoy the closeness, but once his hands landed on her, his fingers reaching her sensitive inner thighs, all bets were off. She moved fast, an instinctual reaction she regretted.

  Never in her entire marriage did she experience such sparks for Ken. Her body took over. She felt alive, hot, and virile. This man or this place somehow had awoken the woman within her, the one stifled away and forgotten all these years. She craved Trevor’s attention, his touch, and every minute that passed reminded her she wanted his cock as well. A real man, he would make love to her with stamina. Her curiosity drove her mad and fuelled her desire. But her logic kept telling her to go back to sleep and forget her dubious thoughts, ones of hot sex with a gorgeous cowboy. She was Grace. Good Grace, predictable Grace, who would return home in a month and would most likely play nice and forgive Ken for his adultery.

  Chapter Five

  Grace followed Trevor across the fields. He brought his horse into a full gallop right from the start, and she had to prod her horse to keep up. Her heart and body kept time to the rhythmic beating of her horse’s hooves on the earth. The summer air smelled sweet, alive, and refreshing. The wind lashing through her hair, whizzing past her ears, and making her eyes tear made her laugh out loud. She felt like a kid again, all her worries trampled under the hooves of the horses.

  Her adrenaline soared along with the speed. This recklessness liberated her. No helmet or riding jacket, no leveled track. They rode the open field, groundhog holes and all. This went against everything in her makeup, and she never wanted to turn back.

  She pushed the Appaloosa hard, her skills coming back to her like riding a bike. As she ran her horse alongside Trevor, he turned and smiled at her before slapping the butt end of the reins over his horse’s neck and barreling ahead of her again. The competitor in her clawed its way to the surface, and she wanted to beat him at his own game. She glanced over her shoulder. The homestead was out of sight. Fields dotted with ancient oaks surrounded them. With the sun burning bright in the cloudless blue sky and the wind warm, she felt sun-kissed without a chill. Out here, in this different world, pushing away thoughts of the city, of Ken, of her stifling life back home came easy. Here, she could be Grace, the real woman on the inside, with dreams and hopes, with her own likes and dislikes, and with her crazy sense of adventure. Some might call this her opening Pandora’s box, but she knew the truth. She wasn’t changing, but finding herself, the one lost the day she had married the wrong man.

  After traversing the countryside for nearly an hour, Trevor slowed as they approached a shallow creek about five feet wide and rocky that cut across the length of the land. Before coming to a full stop, he hopped off his horse with expert agility and pulled the reins around to lead the animal to water. Grace followed suit, out of breath and invigorated. She swatted away the flies buzzing around her horse’s head.

  “So you can ride,” said Trevor. He watched her from where he squatted near the creek’s edge and splashed water onto his face.

  “I told you I took lessons.” She smiled, her sense of unease vanished.

  That’s until Trevor pulled his T-shirt off over his head and tossed it aside. She didn’t turn his way because she knew precisely what would happen to her body if she started checking him out again. Rather, she bent over the stream, pushed up her sleeves, and rinsed her hands. The water, fresh and clear, chilled her skin on contact. With the horses drinking and grunting
noisily, she didn’t notice Trevor closing the distance between them.

  “Aren’t you hot?” he asked standing over her.

  Yes, but not the kind of hot he referred to. All she thought about was how his palm fit perfectly over her mound, and she wanted the same electricity again. How could they be on plain old friendly terms after something like that? Seriously.

  “I’m okay.” She pulled her hair over one shoulder and twirled it into a rope. The back of her neck was moist with sweat. Not looking up or turning around, she only stole a glance at his cowboy boot and at the cuff of his faded blue jeans.

  “It’s still early. It’ll only get hotter, and those long sleeves will kill you.” He squatted behind her, his hand slipping under the back hem of her shirt. Two fingers dragged across the slick surface of her bare skin. “You’re already boiling. Take off your shirt.”

  “I don’t have anything else to wear.” She narrowed her eyes.

  His hand trailed up along her spine. She straightened her back, and her breathing became heavier. He snapped the back of her bra, which made her jerk.

  “What’s this?”

  “You want me to go around in my bra?”

  “If it were up to me, I’d have you naked right now.”

  He nuzzled her neck, her skin and ears hypersensitive to his contact and the brush of his breath as he spoke.

  Good thing she rested on her knees because her balance was shot. His hands braced the grass on either side of her as he leaned into her back, talking into her ear. Just her eyes lifted to scan the area. Nothing for miles in any direction, not a soul besides the two horses next to them. She examined his hands. Strong and tanned with long fingers. Masculine. Imagining those hands gripping her during sex came too easy.