bond between them. But they would have gone their separate ways sooner or later.
Teague had been there to help her through the difficult times. She’d been so confused and angry when she’d arrived on Wallaroo. Her life had been nothing but chaos since the death of her parents, most of the upheaval caused by her rebellious behavior.
Harry had been her only living relative, since her mother was orphaned at a young age, as well. But Harry had refused to take her, and she’d ended up in a series of foster homes. All of them had been fine places, but she’d wanted to be with her grandfather. She’d been constructing a perfect life for the two of them in her mind and was determined to make it happen.
But when he’d finally given in and allowed her to stay at Wallaroo, Harry had wanted nothing to do with her. He was cold and dismissive, barely able to carry on a conversation with her. It had been Teague who had given her a reason to go on with her life, a reason to accept her circumstances and make a place for herself on her grandfather’s station—and in Teague’s heart.
That’s why his desertion had hurt so badly. For months before he’d left for university, she’d tried to tell herself their feelings were strong enough to survive their time apart. And then, after only a few weeks, he’d forgotten her. No letters, no calls. Every letter she’d written had gone unanswered.
Isolated as she was on Wallaroo, she’d assumed the worst of Teague. In the years that had passed after she’d left the station, she’d often wondered what had really happened. Maybe now she would find out the truth.
Hayley had wanted to go to him back then, to demand answers. She’d packed her meager belongings, said goodbye to Molly and hitchhiked as far as Sydney before she ran out of money. After a month there, she’d decided she didn’t need anyone to depend upon—or love. She could fend for herself. And in the end, that’s where she’d stayed, starting a new life, a life that didn’t include anyone who could possibly hurt her.
The sound of an approaching horse caught her attention and she stepped out from behind Molly and peered into the darkness. She held her breath as he came closer, wondering how long it would be before he kissed her again.
Teague maneuvered his horse up next to her, then held out his hand. It had been forever since they’d ridden together. It had been this way when they’d spent nights at the shack. They’d ride out on the same horse, Hayley’s body nestled against his so they could talk and touch on the ride home. A few hours before sunrise, Teague would return her to the gate.
He wove Molly’s reins through the leather strap on his bedroll, then settled Hayley in front of him. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he gave his horse a gentle kick and they started off at a slow walk.
For a long time, they didn’t speak. Hayley felt her heart slamming in her chest and she found it difficult to breathe with Teague so close. She focused her attention on the spot where his arm rested against her belly, shifting back and forth and creating a delicious friction as the horse swayed.
Even after all the time that had passed, this felt safe and comfortable and right. Hayley sighed softly and leaned against him. He nuzzled her neck and she tipped her head to the side to allow him more freedom. His mouth found a bare spot of skin.
Arching against him, Hayley wrapped her arm around his neck, drawing him closer. She was almost afraid to speak for fear she might break the spell that had fallen over her. There was no need to revisit past mistakes and dredge up old resentments. They were here, together, and that was enough.
Teague pressed his palm to her stomach, his fingers splaying across the soft fabric of her T-shirt. But as they continued their silent ride, he slipped his hand beneath her shirt to caress her breast. Hayley inwardly cursed her decision to put on her sexiest underwear. She wanted to feel the warm imprint of his hand on her flesh like she had that afternoon.
The night was chilly and the moon shone golden as it rose over the outback. She had lived so long in Sydney she’d forgotten how desolate it was on Wallaroo—and how incredibly beautiful.
By the time they reached the shack, the silence between them had become part of their growing desire. She didn’t need to speak. There’d be time for words later. Teague slid off the horse, then held out his hands for her. Grasping her waist, he held tight as she dropped to the ground. Her breath caught in her throat as he looked down into her eyes. She couldn’t read his expression in the dark, but the moonlight outlined his mouth and she fixed her gaze on it, waiting for him to make the first move.
He drew a slow breath, then reached down and ran his fingers through her hair. His lips met hers in a kiss so soft and sweet that it caused a lump in her throat. He took his time, drawing his tongue along the crease of her mouth, teasing until she allowed him to taste more deeply.
Her body pulsed with desire, a current racing through her bloodstream. She shuddered, anticipation nearly overwhelming her.
“Cold?”
Hayley shook her head.
“Scared?”
“Never,” she replied, her voice breathless. It was true. She had nothing to fear from Teague. Whatever happened between them, she could handle it.
He took her hand and tucked it inside his jacket, pressing her palm to his chest. “Nervous,” he whispered, a smile curling the corners of his mouth.
“It’s been a while,” she admitted. “For you, too?”
He nodded. Teague took his horse’s reins in his other hand and led Hayley toward the shack. He untied Molly’s reins and secured both horses to the hitching rail before grabbing his saddlebags. Then he took her hand and they walked up the steps. Hayley paused on the porch. If this shack looked anything like Wallaroo did, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go inside.
“It’s all right,” he said, opening the door.
Hayley waited as he lit an oil lamp. A wavering light filled the shack and she walked inside. Nothing had changed. It was exactly as it had been ten years before. She’d expected cobwebs and dust, but the interior was surprisingly tidy.
“I come out here every now and then and do a bit of housekeeping,” Teague said. He set his saddlebags on the small table in the center of the room. “I guess maybe I was hoping I’d find you here one day.” He pulled her into his arms. “And here you are.”
Teague pushed the door and it swung shut. He slowly drew her jacket down over her arms then tossed it aside. He shrugged out of his own jacket, letting it drop to the rough plank floor behind him.
When he paused, Hayley reached out and began to unbutton his shirt. She wouldn’t be satisfied until they both were naked and lying next to each other in the narrow bed against the wall. As soon as he saw what she wanted, Teague grabbed the hem of his shirt and yanked it over his head.
Hayley’s breath froze as she looked at his body in the soft light from the oil lamp. This was no boy. He was Teague, but a different Teague—tall, broad shouldered and finely muscled. Where he’d once had a dusting of hair on his chest, there was now a soft trail from his collarbone to the waistband of his jeans.
Her hand trembled as she smoothed her fingers over his torso. He reached for her T-shirt and pulled it over her head. His gaze immediately dropped to her breasts and he smiled, running his finger beneath the lacy edge of her bra. “Pretty,” he said. “I now have hair on my chest and you have expensive underwear.”
“I
