A/N: Hey guys, thanks for all the great reviews. For those who hated the repetitive "ma'am's" I'll stop now. Or at least, I won't use it as much. Sorry about that. I was just doing it for effect purposes. Thanks for reading, I love getting all the reviews. Keeps me motivated!
Brooke had just walked back into the house from taking a nice long walk around the ranch. When she entered the house she spotted Nathan and Haley snuggling on the couch, and after shedding off her outer wear she walked over to join them.
"Wow B, you sure were out a long time. You must be frozen by now." Haley looked thoughtfully at her sister. It was good to see some color in her cheeks. She had been feeling badly about being the reason why Brooke hadn't been able to wander too far away from the house.
"No not at all. I loved it out there Hales. The open spaces, the clean crisp air! It's so much better than the polluted air of New York!" Brooke went to take the empty couch across from Haley and Nathan.
"You haven't had much of a chance to see everything since you've got here B," Nathan observed. "You've been with us, how long now, a month? And you've barely gone more than a quarter of a mile away from the ranch."
"Don't worry about me Nate, I'll have plenty of time to do so later. I'm going to be here through the summer after all."
"I know, but nonetheless, we're not going to have you tied down to the house for the next month. Tomorrow is your official first day off." Nathan announced, and sat back against the cushions, quite pleased with himself at coming up with the idea. "Even the most devoted of people are entitled to have some time to themselves."
"Don't be ridiculous guys. You make it seem as though I've been slaving after you from dusk till dawn or something."
"Brooke, we know how hard you've been working," Haley said softly, glancing up at Nathan before returning her attention back to her sister. "And I know you! Better than you know yourself sometime. The lack of activity is getting to you. And before you say anything, cooking and cleaning is not an activity. It's a chore!" She said before her sister could object again. "So, with that being said, tomorrow's Sunday, and my husband and I are going to have a nice quiet day to ourselves. And you missy, can have your pick of any of the horses in the barn and take off into the wild outdoors."
Brooke jumped up to her feet, unable to contain her excitement. "Do you mean it?" Her face flushing with pleasure at the idea!
"Yeah B, we mean it." Nathan said affectionately.
"Can I have the golden stallion? The one with the white going down the front of his face? She had been eying that horse since she got to the ranch.
"Already done and taken care of. You know your horses Brooke. Bronze's a good mount, I know you can handle him." Nathan chuckled and shook his head.
"Oh I know I can. Don't worry, I will take very good care of him." Brooke ran towards Nathan and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thanks Nate. You are absolutely the greatest brother-in-law I've ever had."
"That's because I'm the only brother-in-law you have squirt. I think she likes the idea Hales, she can hardly contain herself." Nathan commented as he met his wife's eyes over Brooke's head.
"And here I thought I was doing a darn good job of hiding my excitement." Brooke gave Nate a smacking kiss on his cheeks.
"I'm glad you're excited B, you deserve this. Be ready to start out at about nine," Nathan patted Brooke's slim shoulders. "Lucas'll be here by then."
"Lucas?" Brooke repeated. Her smile frozen in place.
"Yeah, he'll be riding out with you tomorrow. And besides, he was the one that suggested the idea to get you out of the house." Nathan sighed and scratched his dark head, appearing a little sheepish. "I'm ashamed I didn't think of it first."
"But I don't want to bother him. I can go by myself. I'm sure he's got things to do and take care of, he needn't worry about keeping me company." Brooke rambled.
"Nonsense Brooke like Nate said Luke was the one that suggested it, so stop worrying you're little head about it. Case closed." Haley reassured her sister. But she couldn't help but laugh at the deer caught in headlights look that her sister had on her face. "Don't worry I'm sure Luke doesn't bite."
"It's not his bite I'm worried about." Brooke mumbled under her breath so that no one heard her. She couldn't help but remember his parting comment to her the day before. The next time I grab you it won't be to hold your hands he had said. Still, unable to deny Nathan and Haley their day of privacy, she couldn't say no. "I guess you're right Hales. Okay than, I'll be ready by nine tomorrow." She went to give her sister a hug and a kiss goodnight. "I guess I should call it a day than, thanks again you guys."
"You think those two will be okay alone Nate?" Haley asked as she watched her sisters retreating back.
Nathan walked over to rejoin his wife on the couch, and pulled her back into their cuddle. "They'll be fine Hales. I've known Luke all my life. He's a good guy." He reassured her.
Sunday dawned with a clear and cold sky. The sun offered a thin light and little warmth. To her annoyance, Brooke had overslept. She hurriedly showered and dressed, than proceeded to run downstairs to the kitchen hoping Lucas wasn't there yet. She rounded the corner to the kitchen but came to an abrupt halt when she spotted him already seated at the table looking every bit as attractive as she remembered.
"You're here," she greeted sourly. But he just returned her greeting with his signature slow smile.
"Yeah, I'm here. Good morning to you too."
"Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners. Good morning!" she said with pretend politeness.
He remained silent as he watched her get her morning fix of coffee.
"I'm sorry!" she said popping a toast into the oven, as she turned around and offered him a peace offering smile. "I overslept. I hope you haven't been waiting long."
"No worries. I've got all day!" he leaned back in his chair lazily for emphasis.
"Have you eaten?" she pulled the toast that popped out of the oven.
"Yeah, thanks," he got up from his seat to pour himself another cup of coffee. "And don't worry about breakfast for Nathan and Hales. He was already preparing their food when I got here. They're having it in their room."
"Oh, okay." Brooke went to put the rest of the bread away. "You ready to head out than?" she turned to him raising her eyebrows in question.
"Let's go!" Lucas walked over to the door and grabbed her jacket before she could, and held it out for her to put her arms in. Brooke, mumbling under her breath, went to put her arms into her jacket, when she felt his hand touch her shoulders causing them to stiffen. Her pulses responded immediately to his touch. As if he knew what her body was feeling he proceeded to turn her around and started up buttoning her coat for her. Taking his time with each individual button. She tried to jerk back but his hold on the front of her coat prevented a clean escape.
"You sure are a pretty thing," he drawled, completing the last button while his eyes stared directly into hers. "Can't have you catching a cold now can we?"
"Thanks." Brooke grumbled.
"Anytime B." He said flashing her a grin. God he looked sexy when he grinned like that, she thought.
They walked out of the house to where the horses were waiting for them and Brooke's excitement came rushing back. She swung her legs over the saddle and sat atop her horse while waiting for Lucas to do the same. Once he was seated on his horse, they set their pace into a slow trot into the open space. As the neat clusters of ranch buildings was left behind, the rushing air filled Brooke's lungs and added color into her cheeks. She had forgotten how liberating riding could be.
They rode in silence for a quarter of an hour. Lucas allowed her to enjoy the movement and beauty of the land. The rolling plains and the hills and mountains in the distance created a beautiful back drop of scenery. Brooke caught a movement darting across the open field and asked Lucas what it was.
"Antelope," he answered, narrowing his eyes against the glare of the sun.
"Wow!" Brooke pulled her horse to a halt and watched the animal's graceful progress until it disappeared out of view. "It must be wonderful to run like that, graceful and free." She turned her unguarded face to the man beside her to find him regarding her intently. His eyes held an expression she'd never seen before. It caused a rippling sensation to go down her spine, like warm fingers on cold skin. Suddenly his expression changed, and his lips moved to form a smile.
"Like all things in this world, someday you'll get caught. Just like that antelope." He pointed to a large bare-skinned tree limb about a quarter of a mile ahead of them. "Race you there?" he challenged.
Brooke's eyes lit with excitement. She turned to him and cocked an eyebrow "Any chance I'll get a handicap?"
Lucas returned her look and smirked "With that determined look on your face I'd say you don't need one."
"So no head start?"
"Nope!"
Brooke pretended to pout for a minute, than grinned. "All right Lucas Scott, you're on. I'm going to give you a run for your money."
"Just say the word!" He pulled the brim of his hat low over his forehead.
"Now!" she yelled.
Brooke drove her heels to the side of her horse saddle and it bolted into the distance. The morning air vibrated with the thundering of hooves, and the wind was whipping through her hair. She gave herself completely to the race. She turned to look over her shoulder to see that Lucas was only a gallop behind her, and the distance between them was closing. She reached the finish line just slightly ahead of him and reined in, filling the air with her laughter.
"My God, that was amazing. Absolutely exhilarating!"
"Any time you want to give up dancing B, you've definitely got a job working for me. I can use a rider like you."
"I'll have to keep that in mind, even though it's obvious you let me win."
"Let you win? Whatever gave you that idea?" He leaned his arm on the horn of his saddle and watched her thoughtfully.
"I'm not stupid Scott." She grinned at him good naturedly. "I couldn't beat that Arabian of yours in a million years. You, probably," she added with a touch of arrogance, "but not that horse."
"Think you've got it all figured out don't you?" he returned, answering her grin.
"Right on the nose," she agreed. "And," she continued, brushing her long chestnut hair over her shoulders, "I'm not a weak female who needs to be placated. I'm always up for a challenge with a good competitor. The only difference is I know how to lose," she grinned and quirked an eye brow, "but I also know how to win."
"Point taken." He reached to tilt his head further back on his head so that he was staring directly into her eyes. "From now on B, I'll be sure not to hold myself back, and beat you fair and square." He told her cockily. "But I have to tell you, I know how to win too," he spoke softly causing her heart to skip a beat when she realized what he meant.
"I'm sure you do!" she muttered under her breath, quietly enough so he wouldn't hear her.
The next hour or so was spent roaming the vast land surrounding the ranch. At Brooke's request, Lucas started identifying her surroundings for her. At one point Lucas spotted an eagle as it took flight into the sky. Brooke was amazed at the power and beauty of the creature. Its powerful wings spread wide and gracefully as it cut cleanly through the air.
"I hope you're getting some fun out of this trip, some compensation for taking care of your sister," Lucas said pulling Brooke's attention away from the sky and back to him as they slowed down to a stop.
"I'm here because I want to be here. I don't need compensation to make me stay. She's my sister, and they're my family, that's all there is to it." Brooke told him plainly.
"I know that, but she has Nathan to take care of her too. She doesn't need you to baby her the way you do. And besides, she's a grown woman." Lucas reminded her.
"I'm not trying to take Nathan's place," exaggerated at how the conversation was going, she turned to look back out at the open field, "But you tell me, how is he suppose to take care of his wife, the ranch, and everything else around here at the same time?" she turned to glare at him. "What do you expect me to do, stay in New York while my sister needs me?"
"No Brooke." His eyes met hers with quiet patience that was more disturbing than any angry words he could've said to her. "What you're doing is very kind and unselfish. Nobody is saying otherwise."
Brooke was now confused at what he was saying. First it seemed like he was judging her and now he was complimenting her on her loyalty to her sister. He always seemed to do this to her, leave her wondering what he was going to say or do next. "Thanks, I think!"
"Your loyalty to your sister is an admirable trait Brooke." He said and gave her a long level look as he continued. "But just a word of advice? Don't become so involved in helping your sister and the life of the ranch that you forget who Brooke Davis is. Don't let her forget that she just might have the right to her own life too."
Brooke drew herself up to her full height atop her horse. "I hardly need your advice on how to live or run my life. If you haven't noticed, I've been managing just fine."
His face creased in a lazy smile, infuriating her even more. "I'm sure you have."
They turned and set their horse into a trot again. Brooke allowed Lucas to lead the way. She was still fuming on the inside. She couldn't believe he had the nerve to suggest how she should be leading her life. Riding silently atop Bronze, she proceeded to give him the silent treatment. Until she saw Lucas pull his horse to a halt.
"Welcome to the Double S Brooke."
Lucas drew her eyes with an uncharacteristic tone. She turned to see him smile and touch the brim of his hat.
"Thank you Mr. Scott. I can honestly say your ranch is spectacular. But, what are we doing here?" she asked him curiously.
"Well..." Lucas shifted in his saddle to face her directly. "I don't know about you, but after being on a horse for nearly 3 hours I've built up a mighty big appetite. I figured we could stop here for a bite to eat."
"Three hours?" Brooke repeated. "Has it really been that long?"
The angles of his face moved slowly with his grin and she found herself once more intrigued by the way his face transformed each time he smiled. There was just something so extremely sexy about seeing those lips stretching upwards as it revealed his perfectly white teeth.
"I'll take that to mean you didn't totally hate being in my company." He said softly with a slight drawl to his tone.
She answered him with a toss of her head. "I hate to break it to you Lucas, but the credit goes to North Carolina, not you." She told him pointedly.
"Close enough for now." Reaching over, he plopped his hat over Brooke's head and turned to urge his mount into a canter on it's descent to the house.
Brooke stared after him in exasperation, watching the confidence in which he rode his Arabian. They seemed to move like one form instead of man and animal. Scowling, she pressed her heels to the gelding's side and raced forward to join him.
Lucas waited for her to join him in front of the house. Even with his hat on she still looked extremely beautiful. Her hair flying behind her head as she clutched the reins with one hand and the other holding the hat in place! As she approached him he went towards her to help her dismount.
Lucas gripped her waist as she made her descent, holding her off the ground a moment as if she didn't weigh a thing. As her boots touched the ground, he turned her around and drew her against his hard chest. She tilted her head back to inform him that it wasn't necessary to assist her, but the only thing she saw was a brief blur of his face before his lips captured hers.
Her mind whirled with the touch and scent of him. She felt like she was falling into a deep well and her heart began to beat a mad temp against her ribs. Caught by the surprise of his kiss, she clutched his jacket in defense. The kiss was brief, lasting less than a minute, but to her it felt like forever. She knew his mouth was warm and sure on hers, and when he quickly snuck his tongue into her mouth for a taste, her senses went wild.
The loss of control frightened her causing her to stiffen and struggle against his grasp. He released her immediately, staring down at her clouded hazel eyes with a satisfied smile. But than her smile turned for satisfied to terror to fury.
"How dare you?"
"Just testing." His answer was complacent, as though the kiss had been no more than that, a test.
"Testing?" she repeated, running an agitated hand through her hair. "Testing what?"
"I've been wondering what it would be like to taste those lips of yours since I've met you." Grinning, he gave her a friendly pat on her check. "I think you've got some things you've still got to learn."
"Some things I've still got to learn? Why you conceited, high handed-"her mind searched for something appropriately derogatory to say back to him, but couldn't think of anything so she settled for "-man. If I didn't' consider that kiss to be the most unpleasant one ever you'd be lying in a ditch right about now."
He surveyed her as she trembled with a mixture of fury and wounded pride. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You know Brooke, I almost believe you could do that."
"You bet your ass I can," she confirmed with an arrogant toss of her head. "And the next time you try to pull a move like that..." she couldn't even finish her sentence, unable to continue. And he didn't help her any when he started laughing at her mid threat.
"I hate you!" Brooke glared at him, her loathing of him seen clearly in her eyes.