Crack the Whip by Desiree Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

headache they didn’t want or need. But hell! He wanted Katie more than he wanted his next breath. He needed to find out if they could pick up the pieces of what they’d had and take it from there.
    Because, if he was truthful with himself, he’d have to admit he had never stopped loving her. Really loving her. And that had his gut twisted in too many knots to count.
    Watching her while they talked, he was struck by her reaction to certain tones of his voice, certain things he said. It could have been his imagination, wishful thinking, but his instinct reared up and told him Katie Warren was a true submissive. Jealousy twisted a knife in him at the thought someone else had trained her. Taught her the rules and the behavior. He wanted to kill the son of a bitch, and he didn’t even know who it was. He really wanted Katie to be his sub.
    Permanently.
    What a fucking mess.
    “Is there a problem we need to talk about?”
    Reece looked up as Clint Chavez dropped into the chair Katie had just vacated. He frowned. “Problem?”
    “Yeah. You know what I mean.” Clint signaled for a clean cup. “I asked you earlier if having Katie working here as the manager would be a problem for you and you said no. But the two of you looked like you were having a pretty intense conversation.”
    Reece blew out a breath. “I know the rules we set up.
    Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
    “Yeah?” Clint studied him for an extended moment.
    “Reece, we’ve been partners for a long time and friends for a lot longer. I know how badly you want to settle down with someone and how hard it is for you to find someone who fits into all aspects of your life. I don’t want the decision you make to screw things up for you either personally or professionally.”
    Reece thought before answering. “I don’t have a decision to make. To tell you the truth, I don’t even know how Katie feels anymore. Or how I do, either. Ten years is a long time.”
    His partner poured coffee from the carafe into his cup and took a sip, watching Reece over the rim of the cup. “I’d say there’s a lot of unfinished business between the two of you that needs attending to. I’ll trust you to know what you’re doing.”
    “I’m glad one of us does.”
    “Just remember what I said earlier.”
    “I know, I know. And I remember what I said, too. Damn it.” Reece pushed back his chair and stood up.
    “If you see a problem coming, I want advance notice from you before you start waving your dick at our manager.
    Okay?”
    “Fair enough.”
    But Reece had an itch on the back of his neck telling him he might be giving notice sooner rather than later.
    “You sure have a burr up your ass today.” Mark Halliday reined his horse up next to Reece’s, lifted his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his forearm.
    All three brothers, along with some of the ranch hands, had been riding fence since early in the morning. Forty thousand acres was a lot of land to patrol and moving the cattle from pasture to pasture to rotate grazing meant fences needed to be maintained. Reece had been in a foul mood since he rolled out of bed, and the heat and dust hadn’t improved it one bit.
    “Sorry.” But he knew there wasn’t any note of apology in his voice. He lifted his canteen, unscrewed the cap, and took a long drink.
    “Yeah, well, care to let us in on what’s eating at you?’
    Vince, the third Halliday brother pulled up to join them.
    “Nothing.” Reece shoved the canteen back in place. “Can’t a person have a bad day?”
    Mark grinned. “Seems to me, big brother, you’ve had a lot of those lately. Maybe you need to get laid.”
    Vince laughed. “Always works for me.”
    “Maybe he’s just jealous we’re getting steady sex,” Mark pointed out with a grin.
    “Will you both just shut up?” Reece snapped. “My sex life is just fine.”
    “Couldn’t prove it by us,” Vince said. “We never see you in female company. You’re about to win the award