Cowboy Country (66 page)

She blanched at the tone in his voice and the violent movements as he finished putting on his pants. “Well, yes. I don’t want you to think that what just happened was because I only wanted your song.”

“Well, for your information, Miss Gordon, I had signed the contract with my managers this morning for you to be able to use my song. And, the tabloids already think I’m a playboy so how would this be new news?”

Rebecca felt indignation as Grayson’s words zinged through her heart and into her mind. “So you kept that information from me the entire day, making me think that I needed to do my presentation when you already had the contract signed? What was tonight then? What am I supposed to think? It seems to me this whole night was a way to get another notch on your belt. Well, congratulations, Mr. Luke Grayson, you seduced this small town girl into your bed. You win.” She leaped up, throwing on her clothes as quickly as she could.

“I keep
telling
you what tonight was all about but you’re being too damn pig-headed to hear me. You’re special, damn it. I am attracted and intrigued with you. I want to spend
more
time with you, in and out of the bedroom!” He grabbed her around her waist and pulled her up into his arms, crushing his lips to hers until he felt her body relent. He softened his kiss and felt heat burn in his stomach when she touched his lips with her tongue.

He gently pushed her back and gazed into her eyes. “You’re not just another notch on my belt, I mean that.”

  She felt an overwhelming surge of emotions pound through her head and she rested her forehead against his chest.

“Grayson, as lovely as it is to hear that, my life is so complicated right now and about to get crazier. Once I get home, I have to deal with my divorce. Not only that, I have to get ready for the championship show and then there’s your schedule to consider. You’re getting ready to leave for your concert tour. It’s impossible to think of how we could possibly see each other.” She pulled back and searched his face. “Thank you though, for tonight. I’ve never felt so beautiful, so sexy before. I will cherish tonight for the rest of my life.”

“Oh God, Rebecca. Now you’re sounding like a cheap romance novel. It doesn’t have to be that way, two lovers, destined to be apart, only able to share that one special night, blah, blah, blah. There are wonderful modern devices now called cell phones and this thing called the Internet and Skype. And guess what? I own my own jet so even if I need to fly out and see you for two hours, I can.”

She felt numb as she listened to him talk about how they could attempt a relationship. It sounded exciting and romantic and she found herself getting caught up with the idea of having such a fanciful experience. But memories of her and Kip’s fights about how much time she spent with the horses flooded her mind and she backed up. “That does sound so absolutely incredible but I have so much on my plate now and my horses…”

He put a finger on her lips to stop her from continuing. “I get it but just don’t answer now. Go home and think about it. Take a week or so to get things with your husband figured out. I have to leave to go on tour in two days but I’ll give you my cell phone number. Call me and if I can’t answer, leave a message. I’ll call you back as soon as I can, I promise. Okay?”

He smiled at her and she found she couldn’t resist him. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

He gave her another lingering kiss. “Now, can I talk you into staying the night?”

She smiled and thought about it but shook her head. “I can’t. My flight leaves first thing in the morning and I still have to pack.”

He nodded and began to button her blouse. “I understand. I’ll call the car around to take you back to your hotel.”

They got each other dressed, exchanging kisses and loving caresses before he walked her to the door. Grayson followed her out to the car and opened the door but before she could get in, he pulled her into his arms, embracing her in a long and lingering kiss.

“I wanted to give you something to think about tonight.” he said as he nuzzled her neck.

Her body strummed with excitement and she giggled. “Oh, I won’t be thinking of anyone or anything else for quite a while, thank you.”

“Good. I hope to see you soon, Rebecca Gordon.” He helped her into the car and gently closed the door.

  She watched him, watching the car drive away and she sincerely hoped that she would see him again too, soon.

***

Her trip home was uneventful and too short. She wasn’t looking forward to dealing with Kip and was relieved when he’d stopped calling her cell phone. She drove her truck home from the airport, going over in her mind the conversation she planned on having with him. She knew that their marriage was over, even before she’d slept with Grayson but she couldn’t stop the feelings of being a failure, that she couldn’t save her marriage. She pulled into the drive and saw that Kip’s car was gone. An odd mixture of relief and disappointment flooded her as she walked in to the empty house. She deposited her luggage on her bed and promptly turned around and made her way to her barn. She smiled as she was greeted with eager nickers and stomping hooves, pausing long enough in the feed room to grab treats. She fed and lavished affection on every one of her horses before she made her way to Othello’s stall. She walked into his stall, breathing in the scent of fresh pine shavings and horse flesh. Othello nickered and sniffed Rebecca’s hand, seeking out the treats she held. She buried her face into his furry neck and began to cry softly. So much had happened, so much had changed but her horses loved her unconditionally, no questions asked. Why couldn’t human relationships be as easy, be as pure?

She patted his neck again and left the stall. It was still too early for evening feeding so she made her way back to the house to take a shower. Hot water and clean clothes would definitely make her feel better. She grabbed some sweats and a t-shirt and made her way to the bathroom. When she finally climbed out of the shower, he skin pink and clean, she wandered to the kitchen to make herself a salad. She noticed the light flashing on her answering machine and hit the button to play her messages. She grinned when she heard Megan’s anxious voice demanding that she call her as soon as she got this message so that she could give Megan all of the minute details about meeting Luke Grayson.

She felt a chill run through her body as she heard Kip’s voice calmly relay the fact that he’d moved out while she was gone and expected her to call to go over the divorce papers he’d filed. When the message ended, she dropped the ranch dressing and fell to her knees on the kitchen floor, sobbing. She’d known their marriage was over but he made it sound so cold, like a business contract that had been cancelled. Their marriage had meant nothing to him.

She gained her composure and called Megan, knowing she needed her friend tonight. After a quick call and Megan agreeing to come over immediately, she went down to feed. The horses wouldn’t complain about being fed early. She’d just finished up with her chores when Megan pulled up. She flew out of her sedan and ran up to embrace Rebecca, both of them starting to cry.

“What did that jerk do?”

***

Megan made Rebecca sit at the table and recount what had happened while she busily made tea. Rebecca told her of visiting Kip at the office before her flight and the subsequent calls. She carefully left out her intimate time with Grayson.

“And that imbecile had the audacity to file for a divorce before you even got back home?
You
should be the one filing for divorce, not him.”

Rebecca shook her head. “It doesn’t matter who files. We have a prenup and with no children, it should be a cut and dry divorce.”

“It does matter. He’s the cheater, not you. It should show that you are the one asking for the divorce!”

“Megan, it doesn’t matter to me!
Our marriage is over. All that matters is that he can’t touch the ranch.”

Megan sniffed indignantly for her friend. “Still, he should pay. One way or another. What about Luke Grayson? Did you get the contract?”

Rebecca took a sip of her tea before answering, knowing she couldn’t keep anything from her best friend. “Yeah, I got the contract.”

Megan jumped up and squealed. “Oh my gosh! That’s huge! What aren’t you telling me though? You should be jumping up and down right now, screw Kip! You’re going to be huge. You’ll blow away the competition at the championship show!”

“That’s the plan. I can start practicing with Othello to his music. With my routine and his music, I think we have it made.”

“Yes, you will. So spill it, sister. What happened?”

“Nothing, really. Kip was impossible with his calls and I ended up spending more time with Mr. Grayson than I had expected.”

“Shut the front door! You spent the day with Luke Grayson? You didn’t meet with his managers?”

“No. After Mr. Grayson saw my video, he took a, uh, personal interest in my plight.” Rebecca said.

“A personal interest? You better start talking.” Megan demanded but Rebecca’s cell phone rang, saving her at that moment.

Rebecca checked her caller ID and felt her face blush as she answered her phone. “Hi.” she stuttered, looking at Megan and trying not to laugh at her perplexed expression. “No, my flight went well. Yes, I’m home safe. No, he’s not here, he, um, moved out.” She saw Megan’s eyebrow rise quizzically but tried to ignore her friend. “He filed for divorce while I was gone. No, I know it’s for the best. Yes, I’ve been thinking about you and you’re offer. I, uh, have my best friend here, maybe we could talk later? Thanks, Grayson, we’ll talk later.”

She smiled as she hung up and instantly plugged her ears as Megan screamed. “You just got a call from Luke Grayson! Oh, my gosh! You sure as hell better start talking and fast.” Megan stood up and made her way to the wine glasses. “This calls for something stronger than tea.”

CHAPTER SIX

Rebecca had to stop several times as Megan gasped, squealed and interrupted with endless questions. She didn’t mind being interrupted. Hearing herself tell the story, it sounded incredulous. Several times she rubbed her arms, trying to avoid pinching herself to make sure she really wasn’t dreaming. When she finished telling Megan what had happened, Megan got up and poured them another glass of wine. She sat across the table, playing with her wine glass, staring seriously at her friend. Rebecca was waiting for her to tell her what was on her mind but Megan just stared.       Uncomfortable and frustrated, Rebecca blew out her breath.

“What?” she demanded. “You’ve been all excited and twittery and now you’re just sitting there staring at me, like you’re judging me. So what? What?”

“I’m not judging you, at all!” Megan shook her head. “Lord knows you deserve this. The excitement, the romance, being whisked away in a jet. But…” she faltered.

“Here it comes, the but….” Rebecca sighed.

“But…you can’t tell Kip any of this. Not about Grayson or the contract.”

“I wasn’t going to tell Kip about Grayson but what’s the big deal about the contract? He knew why I was going out to California. Surely he’s going to ask.”

“Rebecca, you’ve seen how self-centered he is. If he thinks for even a second that you’re going to profit from this, he’s going to delay the divorce as long as possible to get his share.”

“But he can’t. We signed a prenup agreement before we got married so he can’t touch the horses.” Rebecca explained.

“It doesn’t matter. This is a no fault state. Any profits you make
during
the marriage are split fifty-fifty. So far, the lessons and sale of your foals have negated the operating costs of your business, so as far as the books and the courts are concerned, your business hasn’t really profited, yet. But this contract with Grayson could change all of that. If you win world grand championship this year, your name will be money. With Othello’s stud fees and his foals, combined with your training, your breeding facility will be on the top breeders map. Kip will see that too, he’ll want to take half of what you make this year.”

Rebecca dropped her head on the table, closing her eyes.
She
had worked so hard for this; he had nothing to do with her and her horses or helping build her career. She didn’t want to believe that Kip could be so selfish but then the vision of him and his lover flashed through her mind and she felt a sob rack her body. She raised her head and searched for a tissue, her eyes falling on the answering machine. Yes, he could be that selfish. She took a deep breath and nodded her head. “So what should I do?”

“The first thing you need to do is call Luke Grayson and explain the situation. See if he can hold the contract for a little while and if
anyone
were to call and ask about the status of it, he needs to have his managers tell them that the contract is still in negotiations. Then you need to get this divorce finalized as soon as possible.”

Rebecca ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head. “I can’t involve Luke in all of this. It’s too much.”

“Rebecca, he’s already involved and by the sound of it, he wants to be. I can’t imagine he’d be thrilled if he found out Kip profited from your hard work and his music.”

“No, he wouldn’t. You’re right. I’ll call him now, he leaves tomorrow to go on tour and it will be harder to get in touch with him.” She picked up her cell phone and hit redial, her stomach in knots as she heard the phone ring. She felt herself smile when she heard him answer.

“Rebecca! What a nice surprise. I hadn’t expected to hear from you so soon. Did you change your mind and decide to fly away with me for a little while?” The teasing tone of his voice gave the butterflies in her stomach flight.

“No, though right now that sounds wonderful. I’m really sorry to bother you with this but…” she stumbled.

He quickly interrupted her. “You are
never
a bother to me. What’s going on?”