Chapter Thirteen—Montgomery

Mont looked up from the feed trough to the huge pickup parked at their gate. A gentleman stepped out a few moments later, a tall cowboy hat on with a nice suit.

He briefly remembered Kaden mentioning a meeting with a potential buyer the week before. It was unlike Kaden to miss something so important, but Mont didn’t mind picking up some slack.

“Good morning,” Mont hollered, cupping his palm around his eyes to block the rising sun.

“Are you Kaden King?” the man asked.

“I’m his brother, co-owner. Kaden is running a bit late.”

Which was bizarre. Maybe Abigail gave it to him the night before. Hell, everyone knew he needed to relax.

“That’s all right,” he said.

Mont met him at the arena gate where their newest horse roamed. “This is our newest I’ve broken in,” Mont said, leaning against the gate.

The gentlemen offered his hand. “I’m Michael Walters.”

“Montgomery,” he said. “You’re here to check this one out, right?”

He nodded. “Sure am. She’s a beauty.”

“I’ll ride her for ya, if you want to see.”

Mr. Walters nodded, watching carefully as Mont climbed onto the horse and settled himself. “You look a little familiar? You ever come to Mississippi?”

“I’ve been there, but not since I was small.”

The man furrowed his thick brow. “Wait…did you ride bulls?”

Mont smiled, tapping his feet against the horse’s sides. “I did, yes, sir.”

Mr. Walter slapped his palm against his side and laughed. “I knew you looked familiar. Are you retiring from the rodeo life?”

Mont trotted around the arena on her back. “I think so. I’m ready to settle down and start a family.”

He nodded. “There is nothing like having a woman and kids at home, I’ll tell you that much.”

Mont could imagine a life like that. With Swayze and Ryker, maybe another little Swayze or Mont running around one day? God, he needed to get himself together. It’d been a few days since their argument about the lights, and him showing up late to her house, but he hadn’t stopped thinking about it. Montgomery had kissed her until he felt he couldn’t handle another minute—it had been heaven on Earth. Her softness pressed tightly against him…

“I believe it,” Mont said.

“She’s a beauty,” Walters said. “I’ll take her. I assume you know what you’re doing, being a professional.”

Mont hopped off, watching as she continued to trot around the arena, showing off. “She’s a treat,” he said. “If you ever need me to tame another—”

“Actually,” Walter said, handing Mont his card. “I’d love for you to continue taming them for me. I have two I’m getting next week; can I send them your way?”

Mont grinned, shaking the man’s hand. “We have a deal.”

Walter, a man of few words, nodded. “Thank you, son.”

“You need me to load her up for you?”

Walter patted his belly. “Yeah, this old horse hasn’t ridden one in ages.”

“Got it.”

Mont opened the arena gate, running to open the one that lead to their dirt driveway. From a distance, Mont noticed Kaden running toward them, a worried look on his face.

“Well, good morning!” Mont hollered toward him, swinging the gate open.

“Mr. Walters is already here? Why didn’t you come wake me up this morning?”

Mont wiped the sweat that had gathered at his hairline. “Me? Since when do you need anything from me? Don’t you have a wife for that?”

Kaden ignored him, hurrying past him toward Mr. Walters waiting by the fence. Mont didn’t bother telling him he’d handled it and opened Mr. Walter’s trailer to load the horse into it.

When Mont made it back to the arena, Kaden was in a conversation with Mr. Walter, who seemed happy like before. Mont led the horse toward the gate, encouraging her to walk into the covered trailer.

Five or so minutes later, Kaden walked Mr. Walter toward his truck, handing him a check before the men said their goodbyes. Mont watched Mr. Walter drive off until he heard Kaden curse.

Mont turned to look at Kaden, who wore a scowl. “I figured you’d be happy we just sold her. What’s up your ass now?”

Kaden frowned. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. I was supposed to meet with him. You come get me.”

Mont felt his anger rising but laughed instead. “You’re mad at me for making a good deal? All because you weren’t the one to do it, or because I’m the one that did? I thought we’d be over this by now?”

Kaden shook his head. “I’ve been running this business all this time, and I want a say-so in every decision you make.”

Mont felt like Charlie Brown, listening to the teacher mumble on about nonsense. “I just made us a shit ton of money, and you can’t get over it. Whatever, don’t blame me for you sleeping in. I’m going to run uptown for a bit, and I’ll be back. Or do I need a permission slip?”

Kaden grunted something, turning around to walk toward the nearest barn. Mont hoped he tripped and fell in cow shit.

***

It wasn’t the best of his ideas so far, but he felt the need to do it. Sure, she’d just argued with him about paying her bill, but she obviously had other priorities than getting her new shoes.

Those worn Keds he’d seen on her feet every day had holes and needed to be thrown away.

Mont felt almost giddy walking into the store to buy her a new pair. He’d hoped she’d take them with open arms but knew it’d probably be a fight getting her to take them at all.

He paid for the shoes, driving back with the windows down, listening to an old country station. Abigail had Ryker and Kathryn playing in the sandbox in the front yard when he pulled back up.

Abigail had a huge smile on her face, sunglasses blocking what Mont assumed were bright eyes. “Well, I guess you pissed Kaden off, right? He had his panties in a wad when he came up here to get some coffee.”

Mont shrugged. “Too bad I don’t care. I just made us some money, but he doesn’t seem to care.”

“Did you like her?’

Mont stopped on the steps to the porch, Swayze’s shoes in a bag that hung from his hand. “Like who?”

“That Kathy Jo St. Clair girl?”

Mont studied Abigail’s face. “No, I didn’t. She tried to kiss me, and I shoved her away, but Kaden didn’t believe me.”

Abigail nodded. “He needs to forgive you about leaving,” she said. “And Kathy Jo. He has never been good at letting things go.”

“Who you telling?”

Abigail smiled, gesturing toward the bag. “What’s that?”

Mont smiled. “A present for Swayze.”

Abigail grinned. “I’ve been praying she’ll loosen up and give you a chance.”

“Thanks for that.”

Abigail shrugged. “I’d love to have a sister-in-law. So, get on it, why don’t ya?”

She turned back around to watch the kids. Mont didn’t know her very well, but he liked her so far.

Swayze sat in the den, on the phone with a client, when Mont walked inside. She noticed him, a blush crawling up her neck to settle against her cheeks. Those cheeks had turned red every time she’d seen him since that night. He could get used to it. When she hung up, she met his gaze. “Howdy.”

He walked inside to shut the office door behind him. There was curiosity and nerves all over her face, but Mont didn’t let that halt his goal.

“Well, Sways, I’d tell you that I’m still high from the other night, but I’m sure it’d embarrass you.”

Swayze rolled her eyes. “Is there a purpose to this intrusion?”

“Actually, there is, and it’s not just to stand here and look at your pretty face.” Mont pulled out the shoe box, placing it on the table in front of her.

She didn’t move, only lifted her eyes to meet his before reading the sticky note attached to the front.

Mont watched as she read, and he hoped it would go better than the last time.

“You’re relentless, ya know that?” she asked, sitting back in her chair. “We fight over you paying my electric bill, and you go buy me shoes?”

Mont and Swayze had a stare down for a few moments before she shook her head and laughed. “You’re persistent, and aggravating, and—”

“Irresistible.”

“That’s debatable,” she said.

Mont winked at her. “So, are you gonna go out with me or not? Do I need to grovel a bit?”

Swayze bit her bottom lip, which made Mont want to help her out with that, but he kept his hands to himself. “When?”

“How about tonight? I’ll see if Abigail can watch Ryker for the night, and we’ll go on down to Baton Rouge. I’ll take you dancing, and we can go out to eat.”

Swayze tucked her hair behind her ear. “I don’t know.”

“We can take another step in this tango we’ve started.”

Mont watched all the different emotions flash across her face, and her squirming around with her bottom lip tucked into her mouth proved it hard to stay his distance.

She sat up in her seat, elbows braced against the desk in front of her. “I should say no…but I’m feeling brave tonight. Yes.”

Mont didn’t miss her choice of words, but decided to keep ahead while he could, and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

***

He hadn’t been able to think straight on the way over to pick Swayze up. After work, he dropped her off so she could get ready, leaving Ryker at the ranch to spend the night with Abigail and Kaden.

Mont felt unusually on edge traveling down the back road to pick her up, knowing he’d have her close all night and get to hold her.

Shaking his head, he slapped his palm against the steering wheel. “Get it together, King.”

He pulled into her driveway at six o’clock, which would give them enough time to get to Baton Rouge to the spot he had picked out for dinner.

Mont jogged toward the front door, tapping it quickly before he lost the nerve that had been fluttering around in his gut.

Swayze opened the door a few breaths later, Mont noticing her bashful eyes first, which had a little makeup around them.

Not too much that he couldn’t tell what she looked like underneath it, but enough to highlight those high cheekbones and pretty, blue eyes.

Then he let himself slip, dropping his gaze to her slender neck and the small, black sundress that hugged her nicely in the best places.

Dark chocolate curls hung against her shoulders, and her new shoes were on her feet. Mont had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.

He forgot about her resistance, the fact that she had many secrets, and let himself imagine calling her his before the night was over.

“You look beautiful, girl.”

Swayze tucked a curl behind her ear. “Thank you. Are we ready?”

Montgomery took a step back, gesturing to his running truck behind them. He opened her door, watching her eyes on him as he helped her climb up.

He hadn’t felt this nervous around a girl since junior high. Suddenly it felt hotter getting into his truck, so he blasted the cool air, turning his music down as they pulled out of the driveway.

“I’m nervous,” he blurted out.

When Swayze didn’t respond, he looked over at her. She wore an amused expression, her lips turned up in a smirk. “Montgomery King is nervous? I never thought I’d see the day. You always seem like you’re in control to me.”

She gave him a little shrug. “Most of the time, yeah, but tonight—girl, you got me sweating over here.”

Swayze laughed. “Since when does my presence make you sweat?”

“Because this time it’s for keeps.”

“What does that mean?” she whispered.

Mont caught her gaze. “I didn’t ask you out to sleep with you,” he chuckled. “I do plan on doing that at some point, but I asked you out because I like you, and I want you to be my girl. So, tonight is about showing you why you should let me.”

The look on Swayze’s face reminded him of a scared woman with lustful eyes. He’d do whatever to erase all that fear she had inside because she’d never have a reason to be scared again.

***

The table he reserved was in a small corner of an Italian restaurant that he’d heard good things about. A small band sat in the corner of the back patio underneath a few rows of hanging lights, which was very close to their table in the corner room.

Swayze walked lightly in front of him, her head moving from one side of the restaurant to the other, almost like she expected to see someone.

Mont reached forward once they got to their table, pulling out the chair for her to sit. The waiter took their drink orders, leaving them with a menu and breadsticks.

Swayze looked over the top of her menu to Mont. “It’s been so long since I’ve eaten out.”

Mont leaned back against his chair. “It could happen whenever you want it to.”

Swayze lowered her gaze to the menu, taking a sip of the wine that their waiter had dropped by.

Mont remembered the last time she drank, and the light, fearless girl that had been hiding inside of her. He wanted her to let loose, but he also wanted her to remember everything he had planned for her that night.

Swayze picked out a cheese ravioli while Mont picked out the biggest plate of pasta they had on the menu.

The light music and nearly empty restaurant had their conversation soft, but full of laughter. After the first glass of wine, Swayze had loosened up, the tension in her shoulders slowly seeped away, and her smile was continuous.

“This was so good,” she gestured toward her half-eaten plate.

“I’ll let the server know you’ll need a to-go plate.”

Swayze’s attention turned toward the patio where the band played softly, and the only other couple in the restaurant was dancing. Mont knew she liked to dance and felt her urge before she turned to look at him.

“Want to?” Mont asked.

Swayze bit her bottom lip but nodded. “You dance?”

“I dance if you dance,” he said, shrugging.

Swayze stood up, waiting as Mont walked with her toward the backroom, smiling as she almost skipped to the middle of the floor. The other couple eating outside grinned as Mont pulled her close, his hand settling against her back, the other bringing their intertwined hands out beside them.

Swayze was short compared to him, but she stood on her tiptoes to get closer. “I haven’t been dancing in ages,” she whispered.

“It doesn’t show,” he said.

She tilted her head to the side to look up at Mont. He felt himself slip a bit, wanting to pick her up and run for the hills, keep her safe from whatever scared her.

“Thank you for taking me out.”

Mont studied her blue eyes, those long eyelashes that cast a shadow over her high cheek bones. “You deserve it.”

She shut her eyes for a brief moment, chuckling humorlessly until he asked, “What is it?”

“I want this so bad, Montgomery. I want to be happy here, with you, and to start over, but I’m afraid my past will come back and—”

Mont ran his fingers across her cheek and palmed the back of her neck. “I want that for you too. I could help you—”

“I can’t risk your safety,” she whispered. “Or your family’s, or Ryker. It has to be this way.”

Mont swiped the corner of her lip with his thumb. “You deserve to be happy, Sways.”

She hissed, letting her forehead drop against his chest. “My name…my name is not Swayze,” she whispered. “You were right.”

Mont had that feeling from the moment he learned her name. He wanted to be able to whisper her real name when he kissed her, or when he finally did get her underneath him. He wanted her to hear her name, not some made-up one.

“You don’t have to—”

Swayze leaned against him more. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “But God, I want to hear you say my name. I’m Demetria. Demi. I’m Demi.”

Mont let her words sink in slowly. “Demi,” he whispered, a smile tugging at his mouth. “So, the girl I like is Demi.”

“Demetria Swayze,” she laughed. “My mom was a huge Patrick Swayze fan.”

He pulled her closer, feeling nerves flutter in his chest. “Thank you for telling me,” he whispered, letting his mouth graze her ear. “You can trust me. I’ll take it to my grave.”

There was a sense of relief on her face when he pulled back to look down at her. God, she was beautiful. Simple, but so beautiful, and strong. He’d never had a woman in his arms that felt so right.

He wasn’t sure how long they swayed to the slow music, when someone cleared their throat behind them. Mont looked over his shoulder at the hostess standing there, a small smile on her face. “We close in ten minutes, sir.”

Mont chuckled, pulling away to grab Swayze’s hand. “We lost track of time. I’ll take care of the bill, and you can get in the truck.”

Swayze—Demi—hell, he better stick with Swayze, or he’d let it slip in front of people. He nodded and walked silently toward the front doors.

Mont paid for their meal and found Swayze sitting in the passenger seat, a look of fear hanging on her face.

“What is it?” Mont asked, shutting the door behind him.

Swayze swallowed, tears threatening the edges of her eyes. “I thought I saw—”

Mont looked around the vacant parking lot and the small alleyway beside the building. Nothing or no one stood out, so he looked over at Swayze. “Baby,” he whispered. “Who did you think you saw?”

Swayze tightened her arms around her chest. “It wasn’t him. I just, never mind. I’m sorry.”

Mont’s head screamed at him to ask her who. Who was after her? But she’d already agreed to go out with him, give him a chance, and told him her real name. He’d find out eventually. Until then, he’d do his damnedest to keep her safe from whatever scared her.

***

Mont kept the windows down on the way back home. He’d reached for her hand as they started down the road, and he soon realized she’d been shaking. Whatever she saw had put her on edge, and Mont hated every minute of it.

They kept silent until the town population sign came into view, and Mont rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.

“Where are we going?” she asked in a gravelly voice.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Another one?” she asked. “I’ve been spoiled today. New shoes, dinner, and now another surprise?”

Mont wouldn’t consider the forty-dollar shoes or dinner anything special, but he knew to her it was, which made him so much more attracted to her. He would do small things like that every day if it’d make her worries go away.

“Just a little privacy for us,” he said.

Swayze sat up on the edge of her seat, watching as Mont drove them past the ranch and toward the back of the property where an older barn sat in the distance.

It looked like an old barn from the Salem Witch Trials, which he hoped didn’t scare her, but the green leaves of the bushy trees surrounding them and the humid, Louisiana air lightened the gloomy view of the barn.

Swayze stepped out into the night, turning to look at Mont, who grinned. “There is a battery-operated light inside. You won’t have to be scared,” he said. “Plus, you’ve got me to protect you from the critters scurrying about.”

Swayze met him at the bed of his truck where he had brought several comforters, pillows, and a small lantern.

She reached forward to grab the basket, which held a bottle of champagne, two wine glasses, and items to make s’mores. The look of pure joy on her face had Mont’s chest hammering. “I’d say you were excited about the wine, but we just had some much more expensive wine than that, so I’m assuming you’re excited about the s’mores?”

She shrugged. “I guess I’m a little bit of a kid at heart.”

A kid wasn’t something that came to mind when looking at Swayze. A determined, strong-willed woman with curves he’d demolish, however, did.

“I’ll start a fire so we can get this going.”

Montgomery pulled one of their many burn barrels in from the back of the property, setting it outside of the barn by several feet, lighting them up a fire to cook their s’mores.

Three s’mores and another glass of wine later, Mont was propped against one of his pillows, lying on his back, looking up at the blanket of stars above them.

Swayze’s head rested in the crook of his arm, fiddling with the button of his shirt. He’d wanted to let his hands wander since the moment he saw her in that dress but wanted to have some self-control.

A soft sigh slipped from her throat, and Mont looked down to her bright, blue eyes staring up at him. “What’s on your mind?”

“I told you my real name.”

He moved to look down at her. Locks of chocolate hair surrounded her like a halo, her eyelids heavy from the champagne but focused on him intently. “I won’t tell,” he whispered. “I’d never tell.”

She closed her eyes for a brief moment. “I know that, or I wouldn’t have told you. I wanted you to know because…I don’t want to hear you call me that. I want you to know who you’re kissing…and attracted to. It might be the only thing I can tell you at the moment, but it’s important for me, for you to know.”

Montgomery slowly crawled over her, his bottom half flush with hers, and each arm on either side of her face. “Was that a hint to kiss you now?”

Swayze rolled her eyes, wiggling slightly beneath him.

“Have I bent that guard around your heart enough to kiss you again?” he asked, bending forward to kiss her neck. Her small grip tightened against his shoulders, tugging shamelessly against his clothes.

“I think we can work something out,” she whispered.

Mont let himself unwind in the taste of champagne on her breath and the soft grunts leaving her throat.

Kissing her felt like a path to heaven, a path to where he was supposed to go, to live, to be free. How could one woman’s mouth turn his gut into bricks?

There was something about kissing Swayze—Demi—that would wreck him, he just knew it, but it made him fight for her all the more.

With steady fingers, he wrapped his palm around her waist, pulling her as close as possible, settling between her opened thighs, pressing against her heat with the determination of two teenagers.

“Can we leave momma at home tonight?” she broke away to ask.

Montgomery groaned in a way he couldn’t help. “You really want our first time to be in a rundown barn?”

Swayze thought about it. “At this point…I don’t think I give a damn.”

He chuckled, kissing a path down her slender neck, biting where it met shoulder. “I’ll drive you up this barn wall, girl, but I’ve got plans for that night, and this isn’t it.”

“I’ve come to terms with the fact that you’re a tease,” she whimpered.

Mont smiled into her mouth. “Now, Swayze, we both know you’re the tease in this relationship.”

Swayze shrugged her shoulders, tossing Mont’s hat from his head to the floor and running her fingers through the mess of hair. “I appreciate your respect for me, you know that, right?”

Mont’s face turned serious. “I appreciate you giving me a chance, when it’s obvious you’re scared and guarded. My momma taught me better than to crawl in your pants, knowing I want more than that. I want more of you.”

Swayze grinned, lifting up to place a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “I’m yours for the taking, King.”

“And I won’t take one day for granted. You’ll know how special you are, every single day, if you just give me your heart.”

Swayze tightened her grip on the neck of his shirt. “It’s in so many pieces; I wouldn’t know where to start.”

“That’s what I’m here for. To put them back together.”