Free Forbidden Bond by Jessica Lee Page B

tumbled from her lips on exhale.
    Eion glanced back in her direction, and her stomach flipped. Dear Lord. Had he heard her?
    “I’ll admit, a part of me hoped to run into you,” he added.
    Her heart raced at his words. Darn traitorous muscle.
    “Oh?” She lifted her chin, all nonchalant. “And why is that? Wanted to pick up where you left off last night?” Why the hell had she gone there? Olivia dropped her gaze to where she held the reins. She’d never been able to quiet her tongue around him.
    “In a way,” he said. “I wanted to apologize for my actions at Chuck’s .”
    She jerked her attention back to Eion. He looked up, the morning sun highlighting the blue-green flecks in his eyes. “I was rude, and I had no business intruding on your personal life.”
    “Wow.” She hadn’t expected that. He was actually being nice. “That’s big of you. Apology accepted.”
    “The three of us used to be close, and I just wanted to make sure you were happy.”
    Doing her best to focus on Jack’s unruly mane. She leaned in and combed her fingers through the strands before straightening. “After not a word for so many years, Eion, I have to wonder why you’re concerned. As you said, it’s really none of your business.”
    Eion’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he took a long breath. “I may not have phoned, Liv, or said goodbye.” He reached over, and with the tips of his fingers, brushed her cheek. So gentle, yet with enough power to lift every hair on her body. “But a day never passed that I didn’t think about you.” Olivia’s hand went to her face, the desire to feel his skin next to hers too strong to ignore. But before she could connect, he snatched his hand back, fingers curled into a fist. “You and Kris, of course,” he added.
    “Right.” Olivia cleared her throat. “Of course.”
    “You were my best friend’s little sister. It may have been more than ten years ago, but I can’t help but want to make sure that the…man you’re considering committing the rest of your life to makes you happy.”
    Olivia nodded. “Taylor’s one of the good guys and treats me very well.” She smiled, hoping he wouldn’t notice that she didn’t mention happy. “So is that how you still see me? As Kris’s little sister?” The question popped out before her brain had considered the implication. What if he says yes? Her stomach sank.
    A devious smile turned up the corner of his mouth. “Enjoy the rest of your ride, Liv.” With a kick of his heels, he trotted off.
    Her jaw fell open. What the hell was that about? Guess she got played a little tit for tat with that non-answer. Olivia closed her mouth and grabbed her reins, a growl rolling from the back of her throat. “I’ll never understand you, Eion Mandrake.”
     

Chapter Seven
     
    “So you’ve had some time to review the market analysis I dropped off.” Josie eased into the chair on the other side of the small conference table and crossed her legs. “What do you think about the price I suggested?”
    Sliding his arms onto the wood, Eion nodded once. “The price range is close to what I’d expected.” He threaded his fingers. “But I want the ranch sold sooner rather than later. List it at the lower end of the market.” Eion tapped the chart Josie had prepared.
    Josie grinned. “I’ll do everything I can to get you a buyer as soon as possible.”
    “Excellent,” he said. There wasn’t any reason to linger in Little Crow Pass. He’d seen all he needed to see and done all he could to make things right with Kris, considering the situation. The guy didn’t want anything from, or to do with, him. Couldn’t blame him. But at least he’d gotten to see him one last time.
    And Liv.
    He steepled his fingers and the image of her riding up on her mustang that morning flickered across his mind. The sunlight glistening off her long dark hair had beckoned to him. Beautiful long legs had straddled the powerful animal beneath her saddle. The very