Farmer Wants a Wife: Love and Friendship, Book 3 (7 page)

“Yes,” said the cameraman.

Nolan gave a curt nod.

“It’s really a win-win situation for me,” Susan said. “Because I get off on my lover tying me up and spanking makes me so hot I start creaming at the first love tap. But I don’t like to make it easy for my lover. I creep into the forest and find a hiding place. In the distance, I hear a shout, the signal the search has commenced. My heart is thumping so loud I wonder if he’ll hear. My nipples are hard—did I mention I’m wearing an itty-bitty bikini? No? Okay, that’s what I’m wearing and it’s not doing a good job of hiding my sexual response.

“Time ticks away. Ten minutes. Fifteen.

“My muscles are cramping from crouching in position for too long. I shift my weight and then it happens. In my uncomfortable shifting, I put my weight on a stick. A sharp crack rings out. My heartbeat goes crazy. I swallow. Maybe he hasn’t heard?

“Another five minutes pass, and I become aware of insects. They’re biting my skin in tender places. A cramping pain starts in my foot. I bite my tongue and stand carefully. I shift my weight, and this time I’m careful of foot placement. Then there’s a whisper just behind me.”

“Why don’t you run, little girl?”

Chapter Four

“It’s him! Instinct makes me bolt, but of course, it’s too late. He’s bigger, stronger, and before I take half a dozen paces, he grabs me by the hips, drags me to a stop. The next minute, I’m draped over his shoulder and watching the ground.” Susan paused to judge Nolan’s reaction.

“What happens next?” His gaze held a hint of challenge and an irritating smile played around his mouth.

Susan flexed her fingers and rearranged her hands. She would not resort to violence. “He carries me back to his camp and ties me to a tree. Then, he gets his big knife. Fear makes me whimper as he approaches, and I beg him not to hurt me. His dark eyes glitter, and he sticks the blade under the shoulder strap of my bikini. It’s a relief when he cuts my clothing from my body.” Susan stopped talking and frowned. “How long do you want this fantasy? We’ll have to leave to catch the ferry soon.”

Nolan’s glance held speculation. “One last question. Did you get off on him tying you up? Was the sex good?”

Susan stared right back, not flinching. “That’s two questions.” She was proud of her even tone.

“Pick one and answer,” Nolan ordered.

Susan cocked her head to the side and stared straight into the camera. She let her tongue moisten her top lip in an unhurried swipe. “Oh,” she said. “It was very, very good. The best sex I ever had.”

Hey, Susan.

I have a few minutes before I need to collect Katey from a birthday party. How did your second date go? If you’re falling for my big brother, I’m going to need to put a contract out on him or something. Maybe you could give me a couple of hints about what happened on your date since the suspense is killing me. Thursday night has become my favorite night to watch TV.

One other thing. I’d like to meet you in person. Would you consider that? My in-laws will babysit Katey for the weekend if I ask. They’re always telling me I need to get out more with people my own age. The drive to Auckland isn’t too bad—about five hours, or I might be able to get a flight. I know you have to work, but maybe we could spend a few hours together. No pressure, but it’s difficult to get to know a person via email. You don’t know me well, and if you’d feel better going out in a group situation—maybe drinks and dinner with your friends—I’m fine with that. More than fine. It would be great to meet some of your friends, since they sound like a fun bunch.

Let me know what you think.

Best wishes,

Tyler

A shiver worked through Susan, not fear, but something resembling exhilaration. Grinning, she went in search of Julia.

“Tyler wants to meet. He suggested coming up to Auckland and said if I was nervous about meeting him alone, we could go on a group date with my friends. Will you do it? Will you be my chaperone?”

Julia let out a shriek.

Christina came running from the direction of the dancer’s dressing room. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Tyler has asked Susan out on a date,” Julia said.

“The hot younger brother.” Christina fanned her face, her flapping hand doing nothing to hide her grin. “When?”

“He hasn’t mentioned any particular dates. I think he’s floating the idea.”

“What are you going to do?” Julia asked.

Susan thought about it for two seconds. The answer was easy. “I want to meet him.”

“What about Nolan?” Christina asked.

“I doubt he’ll pick me again. For one, he seems to have a thing for blondes since I’m the only brunette in the group. And two, we seem to strike sparks off each other and end up bickering like kids. He’s attractive, but I think we’d make better friends.”

“I wish you’d give us some hints about the show,” Julia said.

Susan made a buttoning motion across her lips. “Not gonna happen. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow night to see it with everyone else.” A full day of peace before the teasing commenced. “At least the club is getting good publicity. Numbers have been up since last Thursday.”

Julia arched her brows. “Will the numbers increase again this week?”

Susan felt the color sweep into her cheeks. “Quite possibly.”

“
Ooh
.” Christina rubbed her hands together. “Tell us more.”

Susan ignored the demand. “Do you think Maggie and Connor would come for dinner with us?”

“What am I? Chopped liver?” Julia demanded. “Ryan and Caleb are due home in two days. What if I organized Christina and Caleb to look after the club? Ryan and Connor would love to help chaperone.”

“I demand a secret in exchange,” Christina’s eyes twinkled behind her glasses. “That’s fair. And I get to tell Caleb the secret too.”

Susan huffed out a sigh. “Deal,” she said. “But you don’t get your secret until Tyler confirms he’s coming up to Auckland. I’ll email him back and see if he can visit next weekend. That will give him time to arrange a sitter, and we’ll have time to sort things out here.”

“Tell him not to book a hotel,” Julia said. “Caleb won’t mind Tyler bunking at the apartment with him. I think Caleb gets a bit lonely now that Ryan and I are renting our own place.”

“Go and email Tyler back right now,” Christina said. “I want my secret tonight, so I can gloat to Julia and Maggie. If I have to put up with the handsome, sexy Caleb, I want compensation.”

Her friend’s comment had Susan chuckling as she hurried back to the office. Christina and Caleb had become good friends, and they were continually trying to fix each other up. They entertained themselves and everyone else by telling outrageous stories about their blind dates.

Dear Tyler,

I’d love to meet you in person. Would next weekend work for you? My friend Julia said you can stay at Caleb’s apartment—that’s her husband’s best friend—so don’t bother booking a room anywhere. Julia and Maggie plus their husbands have offered to chaperone me. You’d better be on your best behavior because both Maggie and Julia are protective mother-hens. Don’t tell them I told you that or I’ll have to break a part of your person. I’ve done a self-defense class, so you’ve been warned.

The date was another disaster. I embarrassed myself, yet again. When it comes to your brother, I seem to develop foot-in-mouth disease. It was a bit different this time though. I mislaid my verbal filter. I hope the director decides to cut my portion because I’m still cringing at the memory. Yeah…are you sure you want to meet me?

Anyhow. Movin’ on… Does your brother have a thing for blondes? I wondered because I’m the only woman left with dark hair.

At this stage, I’m not sure who made the next cut. Jennifer decided to up the suspense and film the guys making their choices at a separate location. She said she didn’t want to take the chance of a leak and it gave them a bit longer to weigh the pros and cons of each woman. Her assistant is going to ring the successful applicants a couple of hours before the show airs.

I hope next weekend works for you because I’m looking forward to meeting you.

Susan

Thursday was sale day, and Tyler rose early to check on the cattle they’d mustered the previous afternoon. The truck to cart them to the sale grounds arrived half an hour late. A puncture, the harried driver explained.

With the cattle safely loaded, Tyler took care of shifting a paddock of ewes and fed the chooks for Josie. Katey had already departed for kindergarten when he arrived back at the house for a quick breakfast.

“Trouble?” Eric asked. “I was about to come looking for you.”

“The truck had a puncture. No point both of us getting up so early,” Tyler said. Eric and Josie had done so much for him. Taking care of the early morning chores was nothing in exchange.

Eric checked his watch. “I’m going to head off and meet Jock and Buck for a late breakfast before the sale.”

“Sorry, Tyler,” Josie said. “You’ll have to eat on your own. Eric is dropping me at Janet’s. We’re going shopping.”

The elderly couple departed with hurried farewells, leaving Tyler to himself. He’d catch up with them tonight and ask about looking after Katey during the weekend.

Hours later, Tyler settled in front of the television alone. Katey was in bed and Eric and Josie had decided to have dinner with friends before heading home. The opening credits came on for
Farmer Wants a Wife
and anticipation swirled within him.

“Welcome to the second installment of
Farmer Wants a Wife.
” Hailee bubbled, her words punctuated by her trademark bright smile. “I don’t know about you, but I’m eager to learn what happened during our farmers’ second date. Let’s see, shall we? Over to our first farmer, Ray.”

Tyler watched impatiently. He heard a car outside, hit live pause and jumped up to make a pot of tea.

“
Farmer Wants a Wife
is on now if you want to watch,” he said the moment Josie walked into the kitchen. Tyler reached for her shopping bags, several of which were emblazoned with the emblem of a local department store, and relieved her of their weight. “Where do you want these? In your bedroom?”

“Yes, please,” Josie said. “Oh, good you’ve started to make tea.”

“Does Eric need a hand?” Tyler asked on his return.

“Yes,” Eric said, depositing a box of vegetables on the counter. “This woman shopped today.”

Josie elbowed her husband. “Shush. Stop complaining. We received top dollar for our beef today.”

Grinning, Tyler trotted out to the garage to grab the rest of the shopping. It took two trips and by the time he’d finished, the tea was ready to pour.

“Come and watch the show,” Tyler said. “I’ll help unpack the groceries once it’s over.”

“Good idea,” Eric said. “I’m exhausted. Need to build up my strength.”

Josie elbowed her husband again. “Shush. I can’t hear.”

“Do you want me to rewind to the start?” Tyler asked.

“Don’t let Eric do it,” Josie said in alarm. “He’ll push the wrong button and we’ll miss the entire show.”

Eric grumbled under his breath, and Tyler bit back his amusement. No way was Eric getting his hands on the remote. Lesson already learned.

Tyler let his mind drift while Eric and Josie caught up with the show. He shifted his weight, sprawling out, only to shift again and fold up his legs.

“What is wrong with you, Tyler?” Josie demanded when a commercial break started.

Eric grinned over the rim of his tea mug. “Easy to see where Katey gets her fidgety nature.”

God, he couldn’t wait any longer. “Josie, I wondered if you and Eric would mind looking after Katey next weekend. I want to go up to Auckland to visit friends.”

Eric and Josie shared a quick glance before making him the center of their attention.

“Of course we’ll look after Katey,” Josie said. “You haven’t visited your friends before.”

Tyler sighed inwardly. He’d known nosey questions would come, and he couldn’t be rude to this couple who’d treated him better than his own parents. “I’ve met someone on the internet. I’m going to meet her and her friends.”

Josie frowned. “But what if she’s spinning you a line?”

“I don’t think so, but meeting her in person will let me know either way,” Tyler said.

“Where are you staying?” Eric asked.

“With a friend of hers,” Tyler said. “The show is starting again.”

Eric and Josie exchanged a concerned look before focusing on the television.

“It’s Nolan,” Josie said. “Good gracious. Look at that girl’s shoes. How does she expect to tramp to the top of Rangitoto in that footwear?”

They watched as she plus a couple of the other girls headed straight for the land train and climbed aboard.

“She’s suitably dressed,” Tyler said, his eyes feasting on Susan. She’d dressed for the day and wore a pair of sturdy boots. She looked just as appealing in her casual jeans, jacket and beanie as she had in her red dress.