Free Roping His Heart by Angela Fattig

Preface
    Seven Years Ago
    W hat in the hell am I doing? I thought. I am eighteen years old of course I know what I want. What I want is her kissing me as if it was what she wanted. She was still a kid, too young. She needed more time to grow up and figure out where she wanted to be. I had to stop this now.
    Fuck , I couldn’t. I wanted her too much. The way her sweet arms wound around my neck pulling me closer. The way her fingers pulled my hair. The way her sweet tasting tongue danced with mine . My God! The moan that vibrated in her throat made me shiver. Gripping her hair, I pulled her closer to position her mouth where I wanted it.
    I really needed to stop this. I needed to pull away and send her sweet ass home. With all the strength I could muster, I pulled back and leaned my forehead on hers.
    Stroking her cheek I whispered, “Katy baby, we need to stop.”
    “Why Dean?” she asked trying to pull me back to her lips.
    “Baby, I’m leaving tomorrow,” I answered. “I need you to grow up before we go any further.”
    Her body stiffened and I knew I had said the wrong thing. She pulled her body away from me and I fisted my hands at my side fighting to not pull her back.
    Her face reddened and she crossed her arms. “What the hell Dean,” she screamed. “What do you mean grow up? I may be five years younger than you but I know what I’m doing. I also know what I want.”
    I ran a shaky hand through my hair. I really don’t want to hurt her. Secretly I loved her with all that I am. I shook my head. “Katy I need you to be sure,” I said. “I wouldn’t be able to handle it if you decided that having me away at school wasn’t for you. What if you met someone else?” I looked deep into her eyes and saw her tears. “I really want to be with you,” I said. “I need you to grow up first.” I tried reaching for her but she stepped back and I dropped my hand.
    She no longer held her tears back. “I have loved you for years,” she whispered. “I would never walk away when things got tough or would I want someone else. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.” She looked away.
    I felt like shit and stepped closer. “Katy I…” She cut me off.
    Shaking her head, she turned to look at me. “I won’t beg,” she said. “One day Dean you will be the one begging and maybe I will be free.” She turned and ran out of the barn.
    I stood there watching my future running away from me. ‘Would I ever have a chance with her again?’ I wondered as I walked back to the house to finish packing.

 
    Chapter One
    Back off Dean
     
    “ D ean Adam Michaels,” Katy yelled as she placed her hands on her hips. “What in the hell are you doing?”
    I ran my hand through my hair as I stared down at Katy. I hadn’t seen her since I had left for college seven years ago. Well I had seen her around town when I had come home on breaks. Then I would see her when she visited her parents while she had attended college.
    She was just as beautiful as that night in the barn. I never forgot how she made me feel or how she felt beneath my hands and lips.
    I shook my head trying to clear it. “Katy,” I began, “Those guys were pawing all over you.” I took my cowboy hat off ready for a fight.
    I was shocked when she laughed. God how I missed hearing that sweet sound. “Oh Dean,” she said shaking her head, “They weren’t pawing all over me. They were showing me paperwork about the ranch. We were standing close enough to hear each other over the music playing.”
    I frowned. “What in the hell are you doing in a bar doing business?” I demanded to know. “Why with them? I’m the one you should be talking to.”
    Her parents and mine were partners with the ranch. I had moved back after college to help run it, when dad retired, I would take over. That’s why I went to college, to get my business degree.
    Katy came back with her business degree for the same reason. When her father retired, she would run the office part while I