Every day it was like a record stuck on repeat ⊠get up, go to work, come home, play mommy, and go to bed alone. Normally it didnât register, Cindy just did it. Other days, it bothered her. She didnât regret one moment the decision she finally made to end things with her ex-husband. Pretending day after day to have a living breathing relationship just for the sake of their daughter wasnât doing anything but teaching her that this was what love was supposed to be about. These thoughts brought a soft sigh, shifting the huge truck into 5th gear as blue eyes darted over the lessening traffic as she moved further north of Dallas. The huge super duty Ford pick-up was smooth on the road despite its size and engulfed the petite red-head in the driverâs seat. Wavy ponytail peeking out from beneath the ball cap adorning her head, glancing furtively at the diminishing traffic as she pulled off the highway and headed towards the small farm that beckoned her home. Far enough from the city to be at peace in the country, but not so far that civilization couldnât be reached when needed.
This was the beginning of a much needed vacation and Cindy was looking forward to it. But before she could really get started, there was one minor business arrangement that had to be complete. She was looking into purchasing one more mare to add to her rapidly growing herd of Arabians and its owner was coming down to look over her ranch before the deal was sealed. Just a bit curious as she turned off Interstate 75 and headed that last leg of her journey home, as she had never met the owner as of yet ⊠her only dealings so far had been with his accountant. All she knew about him was that he was some hotshot from New York with a knack for good horseflesh. She wasnât looking forward to rubbing elbows with some stuck-up wannabe from up north but knew plenty of folks that had come from that way that werenât half bad and grinned to herself, knowing they would take those âfighting wordsâ to heart as she rolled down the window as open fields and blue skies quickly replaced busy highways and building-strewn horizons.
Finally turning into the long drive that led to her small ranch, Cindy visibly relaxed, a brilliant smile crossing berry-stained lips as she caught one of her prize geldings racing towards the fence at the sound of her truck only to turn and run alongside as she waved out the truck window to him. Whistling to him and making baby talk as she slowed the final curve that took her home, she grinned at the beautiful bay Arabian and then turned her eyes towards the log cabin up ahead, eyebrows furrowing to find a rental car parked in her spot, a frown creasing the beautiful lines of her face. âGreat,â she thought, pulling the huge white truck up behind and settling into park, long legs unfolding out and dropping to the ground, followed by her bag, purse and a slight frown that this New Yorker was already here.
Waving to the hired hand that worked three times a week and hauling together her work-strewn bag, Cindy headed toward the back of the two-story frame house that looked out over her back pasture, sapphire blue gaze searching for Mr. Mortensen in hopes of getting the niceties out of the way so she could get on with the purchase of the mare she was interested in and start her long holiday weekend. Stepping onto the long wraparound porch and heading towards the back end, she spied her original chestnut mare grazing in the back pasture and smiled. Selective was always one for eating and today wasnât stopping her any and then as she turned the corner to head to the back door, she almost tripped over a pair of crossed legs stretched out before her, stumbling as her purse tipped crazily and spilled out onto the cement floor, a curse slipping from berry-stained lips. Without even glancing upwards, Cindy melted downwards to quickly pick up the strewns of her purse, trying to keep her temper in check even as strong hands reached out to help her, a distinctly familiar voice caressing her ear ⊠âHere, let me help you with that.â
Puzzled that she recognized the voice, Cindy glanced up even as she stuffed her cell phone back into her purse, her hand freezing midair as her eyes drank in the unbelievable sight of who exactly her business acquaintance turned out to be. âOh shit,â she heard herself say, half beneath her breath, the other half reaching his ears as Mr. Mortensen turned out to be Hollywood megastar Viggo Mortensen. At the sight of his now infamous grin as his hands continued picking up strewn items and helping her stuff them back into her purse, Cindy shook her head slightly trying to get rid of the image of Aragorn and Lord of the Rings visions that suddenly swam before her eyes. âWhat a klutz I am,â she continued, half through a laugh.
âSorry to have startled you, not to mention the welcome home trip I supplied,â he said, offering a hand as he started to stand. Cindyâs own delicate own slowly slipped into his as they stood together and she hauled her purse back onto her now trembling shoulder.
âDonât worry about it,â she added, with a wry grin and slipped her hand out before he realized how just that simple touch was affecting her. Talk about feeling like a school girl! She moved past him, a simple glance back at him invitation enough to follow and unlocked the back door to step inside. Hanging her purse and bag on the hooks just inside the door, one free hand sweeping back errant curls of fire that softly framed her features; she cast a sideways glance at him as he stepped in behind her to shut the door and moved into the kitchen, swinging open the fridge. âCold beer?â
Viggo moved in behind Cindy, his unwavering gaze taking her in as she stood before the open door of the fridge, hardened nipples undeniable beneath the tank top just under her open cotton shirt, a wry grin crossing his face as he saw that she noticed him looking, unflinching in her offer of the beer. âWould love one,â he offered in that distinct drawl that sent her heart pitter-pattering.
Reaching in for two just inside the door, a ring of frost covering their sides, Cindy stepped aside to let the door shut and faced him, handing one out for him to take. A soft smile undeniable to him as he took the beer and she twisted the top off, taking a drink of the ice-cold brew as she moved past him back out of the kitchen, enticing sway of rounded hips beckoning him to follow as she moved into the cozy den decorated with a stone fireplace, hardwood floors and exposed beams. Plopping onto the worn leather couch, she smiled as he took the seat just opposite her, taking a swig of beer, those penetrating blue eyes boring into her own. They both sat there for a moment, looking into each otherâs eyes, neither one relenting as the room became smaller, a bit stuffy as the heat began to become apparent between the two.
As he took another swig of beer, Cindy took a deep breath as she tried to control the wild beating of her heart, knowing that if he kept looking at her that way that she was going to wind up throwing herself at him, business aside. Clearing her throat a bit and taking another drink of the cold brew, she said, âDid you get a chance to look around and see if you want to get involved with me?â
Viggo couldnât help but grin at her question and quickly turned the direction of conversation towards what he had more in mind at the moment. âOh, I definitely want to get involved.â Cindy swallowed hard, a nervous smile appearing as she caught on to exactly what he was saying, her eyes blatant in the hunger that she could feel quivering inside, watching him as he set down his beer and rose to cross the short distance between them, confidently reaching out to take her beer and setting it beside his. She struggled for the words that wouldnât come and instead, gave in to the feelings that were overwhelming her, her hand slipping into his as he offered it and felt herself being pulled upwards before him, feeling dwarfed within the sexual magnitude that radiated from him.