Innocence Lost (Lone Mountain Ranch Book 1)

Chapter 1

The tears poured down Kylie's face like a waterfall after the snow melts, making it increasingly difficult for her to concentrate on the road twisting and turning in front of her. Her heart raced in her chest while she maneuvered through the California countryside's two-lane highway, speeding in her eagerness to arrive.

Escaping from her current reality was the only thing that kept Kylie's foot on the gas pedal. The thought of her husband, Zane, cheating on her was seared across her brain, and the fury stirred inside of her body. The image of the red-head sitting on his lap with her lips pressed against Zane's refused to leave her thoughts no matter how hard she tried to shake it and focus on the drive ahead.

This day could not arrive soon enough for Kylie. She left work early to get to the ranch before sunset. Not being familiar with the drive, she did not want to get lost on the country roads in the dark. I need to take advantage of as much time away as possible. I deserve it! She thought to herself as she peeled out of the parking lot at work earlier that Friday afternoon. She was ready to put the hellish week of heartache behind her. Instead of staying and fighting for her, Zane took off with his band to continue their tour. Throughout the entire week rage encompassed her emotions and made it challenging for her to focus on her work. She was too distracted, and she barely made it through the day without crying. She could not wait until the week was over.

Now, she was counting down the minutes until she arrived at Lone Mountain Ranch. A quiet weekend away where she could think for herself and decide what to do about Zane was exactly what she needed.

Wrapping around the hillsides, Kylie's phone lit up every time it connected to a cell signal. She caught a glimpse of the messages out of the corner of her eye when they popped up on her screen.

"Kylie, please call me! I have been trying you all week. You won't answer my calls or texts." The first message from Zane read. Another one followed. "Please hear me out. I'm so sorry."

Was that supposed to make me feel better? Kylie wondered. She was seething that Zane was not man enough to take ownership of his actions. Of course, she heard the rumors about Zane cheating on her throughout the years, but he always denied it. She could not believe she acted so foolishly and believed him. She was not going to make the same mistake this time after she saw him kissing that woman with her own two eyes. She loved him, but love was not enough for her anymore.

Kylie gripped the steering wheel tighter and tried to fight back the tears that were leaving trails on her face like blobs of rain on a dusty window pain.

A week ago, Kylie had the worst day of her life, since the day she sold her beloved horse, Aurora, and moved from Idaho to a city in California. Last Friday was the night Kylie caught her husband cheating on her with another woman. Her mind went back to that night.

During the last few months, Kylie's work project consumed her life, and she did not have time to meet Zane on the road over the weekends. The night of the incident, his band, Magenta Day, was scheduled to perform closer to home. Kylie was looking forward to seeing him. She was in need of some serious stress release, and she yearned to be with him. It felt like forever since she had Zane between her legs. Zane. His name made her mouth go sour. Now, every time she thought of him, she pictured another girls tongue down her husband's throat.

That night she left work early to get all sexed up for him. She riffled through her lingerie drawer, and picked out a sexy, black lace bodysuit. She fixed her makeup, darkening her eyeliner and applying a bright, red lipstick. She wore her hair down, tousling it with her fingers to make it look more 'rocker disheveled' instead of 'corporate chic'.

For the occasion, she bought a killer black leather dress and wore her favorite black leather jacket over it. She accessorized with silver jewelry, a silver clutch, and 'fuck me heels', knowing the night would end with the two of them wrapped around each other in ecstasy with said heels still on.