“No wonder he’s sore and out of sorts.” Joan fanned her face with her hand when Libby finished her tale. “Oh, you poor baby, what are you going to do?”
“What can I do? He seemed shocked that I’d think there was more to it. How could he turn down free sex is how he put it. Doesn’t sound like he wants more than that to me.”
“Honey, I know Nathan better than you do. We went to school together, and I can tell you now that is not his style. God, the man’s been like an iceberg since his fiancée left with that city bloke. He’s not so much as looked at another female, and believe me, we’ve all tried to match him up with every available woman within a couple hundred miles. Give yourself a chance, Libby. Maybe it’s just a time thing, you know? Stop beating yourself up over it, and give yourself a break.”
“He only wants the station, and he’s made it quite clear I’ll be going back to the city with my tail between my legs,” Libby said.
“Will you?” Joan raised an eyebrow and waited for her answer.
“Not a hope in hell.”
“That’s my girl.” Joan chuckled. “Just go with it and see what happens. You’ve had more luck with him than any other female in the last few years, so it can’t all be bad.”
“I don’t know if I can hold out for too long. I’ll end up hating him if he doesn’t want me for myself, then we both lose.” And that would be a crying shame.
“Come on out and talk to some of those young studs who wanted to see you again. Get him a little bit jealous and see what happens.”
Libby let herself be dragged back outside and introduced again to some of the cowboys she’d met at the dance. She made herself listen and laugh with them, all the while keeping an eye out for Nathan. She sat with Tom for her dinner, a couple of admirers never far from her. She could feel Nathan’s glare burning her skin but avoided making eye contact with him. If he wanted to talk to her, he could come over. She was intent on ignoring him regardless of what her body was telling her to do. Tonight, she would not go to him. It was his turn to offer himself to her.
If that’s what he wants.
It was late by the time she had rounded up the kids and loaded them into the four-wheel drive. Nathan had left earlier without saying a word to her, and she felt used and dejected. So be it. He didn’t want her. He’d made that quite plain. Just the sex if offered and her farm when she left with her tail between her legs.
Not going to happen, buddy. She was staying, sex or not. She’d get by; other women did. There’d be a way to dull her sexual urges. If Libby kept busy enough, she’d be too tired to think about it.
When they got home, she put the kids to bed, she said good night and went out to the kitchen. Tom watched as she threw herself into a chair. “Want to talk about it, Lib?”
“Nothing to talk about. He isn’t interested, so let’s just leave it alone for now.”
“The boy needs his head read.” Tom muttered under his breath.
“Maybe, but his needs and mine are obviously on different scales neither of us is prepared to budge on.”
“You deserve more, Libby.”
“You, my man, are biased.” Libby rolled her eyes.
“Maybe.”
“I’m going to bed; see you in the morning.” She kissed the top of his head as she passed him. She walked down the hallway into her room and softly shut the door behind her.
Chapter 12
Weeks dragged by, and Libby kept herself busy. The sheep were sorted, and the excess rams sold off to pay for the new ewes Bill had delivered. Her new bull had settled in well and was doing what was expected of him, according to Tom.
She’d formed the plan for the new cows, and Aaron had approved it. Now all she had to do was organize the stock agent to purchase them for her and let them do what they did naturally.
She was getting horny again, and it showed. She snapped at the kids and Tom. Ever the perfect gentlemen, he ignored her as was her wish. But even Tom had his limits. He took the truck one afternoon and didn’t come back until well after dark, missing dinner, something he’d never done before.
“Tom, where’ve you been? Is everything all right?” Libby raced out the door to meet him as he came up the pathway.
“Just having a beer with a mate.” He came up the path and stopped in front of her.
“Who?”
Tom looked away from her, avoiding her gaze. Libby tapped her foot on the floor as she realized why he wasn’t answering her.
“Nathan?” She folded her arms in front of her, licking her lips.
“Maybe.”
“How is he?”
“About as ill-mannered as you are.” A wry grin spread across his face.
“Good. Well, that’s good then.” Libby stormed away from him and went to her room, slamming the door behind her. She tossed and turned in her bed. Damn it. She wanted the man but not on his terms. He wanted sex and the farm, but did he want her as much as she wanted him?
Frustrated, she stripped her clothes off and climbed into a cold shower, convinced it would shock her out of her stupor, but all she could think of was what she would do to Nathan if he were in there with her. Angry with herself, she turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and rubbed her skin.
She pulled on her jeans, a T-shirt, and a cardigan before slipping thongs on her feet and sneaking out of the house. She
