by Susan Arden
After today, she’d never use his services again!
On the landing of the stairs, her gaze flittered and focused on Matt. He did a double take and his heated stare reminded her of the first time they’d crossed paths. Matt beamed a cocky grin at her and the sun couldn’t have shone brighter. Her heart tripped. She gripped the banister, not wanting to do the same.
“Sorry I’m running late.”
“No problem—” The rest of whatever Matt was about to say crashed and burned. Carolina held her breath as his gaze detoured from her face, barrelling down her legs to the boots on her feet, then up again.
“Do you like it?” She stood on the last step, twisting her fingers, nervous and waiting on his response.
His eyes flashed, locking with hers. “Where’s the rest of your outfit?”
“This is it,” she stammered.
“Like hell it is. Cory, where in tarnation are you hiding!”
“Stop hollerin’! No one is hiding, big brother. And for your information, Carolina’s wearing the same skirt every other woman will be wearing at the Diamond, so put a sock in it. This is the style. Don’t make her feel less than perfect, because you’re some modern version of a caveman.”
“I’ve been called worse,” he snorted. “What about a sweater?”
“Oh, good grief! It’s nearly ninety degrees outside.” Cory winked at Carolina. “You’re a knockout and he knows his behavior stinks so bad, he might lose you before the water is poured. Brother, the Karma Café is open for business, and you are in so, so deep!”
Matt’s face hardened. All signs pointed to one cowboy about to unleash. He sighed and laughed, surprising Carolina.
“Fine, Corinth. You might have a point.” He rolled his eyes and held out his arm.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
An eggbeater couldn’t have scrambled Matt’s mind any better. Carolina swivelled on the front seat of his car and her skirt hitched up another couple of inches, revealing most of her thigh. How long were her legs? Was that even a real question. If anyone would know, he sure as fuck did.
Carolina rocked the short scrap of worn denim that clung to her curves and inched up those gorgeous golden thighs of hers. Is this how she dressed to go out in Miami?
The thought of Carolina leaving knifed him in the chest. Tonight, come hell or high water he’d tell her his thoughts on the matter. They’d work it out so that she could do her mobile vet gig with Evermore as her home base. He wasn’t just diving in deep, he found his balls and was prepared to stake his claim. A ring. Engagement. Then a wedding. Honeymoon anywhere in the world she preferred. That was his plan for their future. The details were negotiable.
They pulled into the Double Diamond and he jingled his keys, drowning in her incredible slate-colored eyes. “Any chance of a kiss?”
She leaned over and pressed her lips to his. “Mmm,” she hummed.
“You can say that again.” He threaded his fingers in her hair at the nape of her slender neck.
Carolina didn’t pull away. She caressed his jaw, reminding him how much he enjoyed her touch. As if they had a mind of their own, his hands dropped to her hips then lower to the hem of her skirt.
“Cory mentioned that your cousin used to tend bar here.”
Matt glanced up, caught in the act of ogling Carolina’s thighs. With a laugh, he said, “Cade, yeah he did.”
“It’s big. Must have a good restaurant and band.” She had her cell out and snapped a photograph of the Double Diamond as he went to get her door.
Her clothes accentuated every curve she owned, hiking up his hunger to own Dr. Rodriguez’s hot little body and smart mouth. Not that he needed any reminders on how beautiful she was. He opened the car door as a group of cowpokes passed by. All of them did a double take. They stopped in their trek and bumped into one another.
Matt gritted his teeth, because the truth was he wasn’t much different. He hungered to slide his fingers along Carolina’s inner thighs. If he started, he wouldn’t be able to hold back. He promised her dinner and dancing, not fucking in a two-seater sports car.
He glanced about the parking lot, reaching down to help Carolina. He reminded himself to lighten up, step back, give her room to move.
They entered the Diamond. The hostess asked for their names and relayed it would be a minute before their table was ready.
“It’s busy.” Carolina smiled at him.
“Are you up for a dance?” he asked, lacing their fingers together.
She glanced at the dance floor where couples were doing a rowdy version of a two-step. “Wow, do you know how to do that?”
Kissing her cheek, he murmured, “It’s easy, with the right partner.”
“As I live and breathe.”
Matt didn’t recognize the man who approached them, but something about the dude’s expression bothered him. Whether it was a primal urge or the ability to decipher body language, it wasn’t a conscious act. Matt’s muscles went taut. Primed and ready, it was as if a hundred thousand years of evolution evaporated and left him a prehistoric version of himself.
“Oh no,” Carolina whispered.
It wasn’t his imagination in play. Matt tensed in an instinct to protect what was his.
“Surprise!” the man chortled, smiling wide as Carolina frowned.
No conscious thought, just primal energy and he stepped in front of the man, about to do what amounted to a body check.
“Excuse me!” The other man scowled, hauling up short to stop before slamming into Matt.
He gave the stranger a hard stare. “May I help you?”
The man looked him up and down. “And you are?”
“Matt McLemore.”
“Ah, the rancher. Well, this is all too convenient. I’m Dr. Jeff Haverty, your pathologist.”
Matt took a good long look at Haverty with a drink in hand and the tie loosened at his collar. “You came all this way to deliver a report?”
“Not usually, but I had business in town. Or we could just go with, I’m thorough. Either way, I’m here, now.”
“The report should’ve been sent via email,” Matt supplied.
Haverty’s lips thinned. The man didn’t like to be rebuffed. Typical jackass with an ego to match just as Carolina described.
“That’s not necessarily true. Do you mind if Dr. Rodriguez is involved in this conversation since it was with her that I arranged services?”
Matt felt her fingers tighten around his forearm. “What are you doing in Texas?” she snapped.
Haverty’s snide smile returned. “I told you I wanted to discuss my findings over dinner. Why else would I be here? Didn’t you share that with your client?”
“Don’t act like we had plans to meet, Jeff. I said to send the reports, short and simple.”
“Dr. Rodriguez, it seems as if you’ve double-booked your services for the night. I’m not opposed.” Haverty winked. “I promised to deliver the reports by this evening. Didn’t I?”
Carolina exhaled in frustration. “You’re trying to twist what we talked about.”
“Why would I?” Haverty laughed. “We discussed the ranch, the stock, and catching up over a drink.” He shifted his eyes from Carolina to him. “Any takers?”
Ice filled Matt’s veins. Nothing would give him greater pleasure then decking this SOB.
“Where are the reports?” Carolina demanded.
“Over at the bar. I left my briefcase there,” Haverty replied. “You’re late, princess.”
“Stop the lies!” Carolina hissed.
Matt stepped in between them and told Haverty, “If you’ve got a report, hand it over. Otherwise, send it and your bill to my email.” Matt had a business card out and he dropped it into Haverty’s jacket pocket.
He glanced over at Carolina just long enough to take in her edgy response. This was a man she had dated and from what he knew, a man who had hurt her deeply. She hadn’t asked for Haverty’s ap
pearance at the ranch so what the hell was the man doing here? How had the vet known they’d be here and that they were running late? Logically, Matt logged Haverty as a jerkoff, but his heart had been down this fucked-up road before.
“McLemore, this is some mix-up. Carolina and I have history. We might seem to relate in an unorthodox manner but what can I say?” Haverty chuckled. “Between you and me, I’m sure we can settle this miscommunication like adults. We both share a joint interest. I’ve traveled all this way, and don’t mind telling you, I’ve got some timely advice about your ranch. No pressure, the decision is yours. At least let me give you a copy of the report.”
Matt fought to slow his thoughts, steeling himself against overreacting to his past. He met Carolina’s unwavering stare, not giving anything that plagued him away.
She shrugged at his unspoken question.
“Mr. McLemore, your table is ready,” the hostess said, coming to get them. They couldn’t tell her to hold the table, not when the Diamond was busier than usual. Everyone in a 100-mile radius seemed to be there tonight.
Haverty stood there, glancing between them.
“Jeff, give us a moment. We’ll meet you at the bar.” The heaving of Carolina’s chest spoke to her unease.
Haverty snickered. “I’m a sucker for a dominating woman. Wish I’d worn my boots. Make sure that’s a table for three,” he told the hostess, sounding every bit as condescending as he looked, elbowing his way through the crowd.
“Mr. McLemore?” The hostess asked in confusion.
“Thanks. We’re ready.” He pressed his fingers to Carolina’s back.
“How about I go and get the report and I’ll meet you at the table,” she suggested. “I called the idiot, let me deal with him.”
Caro deserved his trust without question. Time to man-up and put aside the stab of doubt because of a prick with an agenda. Obviously, Haverty had issues and more the reason he didn’t want her around the moron. “I’ll deal with Haverty and you go to the table. Order a bottle of wine. It won’t take but a few minutes.”
This was too important to let the past warp his head and heart. Haverty had played his cards like a predator. Matt curled his hand around Carolina’s hip giving her a firm squeeze.
She gazed up at him torn and whispered, “That’s true, but—”
“This is about my ranch. If Haverty has answers, I want to know about the analysis. Now’s as good a time as any. I fully intend on picking his brain. I paid for these samples, and I intend to get the results without getting jerked around. From where I come from, when you tell someone that they’ll have a report by close of that business day, it happens. So far, it’s after five and his report is still MIA.”
“I checked the email before we left. I’m upset that he didn’t send his reports on time, but obviously, he was in transit, trying to get here. Matt, just be careful. Haverty is good at what he does because he’s like a snake. He eats, sleeps, breathes details and people’s Achilles heel. “
“Your contact and you have a past, which I can’t help. I need answers not melodrama. I suggest we both suck it up long enough to listen for the future of Evermore and then enjoy our evening. Can we do that?”
“I should’ve followed your direction not to call him, but I didn’t feel as if we had a choice. Please don’t let Jeff come between us.”
“Baby, I’m not letting him or anyone else come between us. It lights me up to imagine how that man would act if you were alone and had to deal with him. In the future, you might consider breaking all ties with Haverty, whether or not we stay together.”
Hurt filled Carolina’s incredible eyes and reminded him of the fucked-up pain he’d experienced in his life rolled up and reflected. Her expression made him want to have his mouth sewn shut. All he wanted to do was take her into his arms. Distrust was a double-edged sword capable of destroying them both.
Her eyes darted to the exit. “You’re right about Jeff. From the looks of things, he’s hitting the bar hard. From what I know, he’s an ugly drunk. Promise me, we’ll leave after you get the report. He’ll say things to get you upset. Ignore him. It’s the only way of dealing with his arrogance. Not you or me storming out of here.”
“That won’t happen. Baby, I’m not going to storm out of here. I’ll meet you back here at the table.” Matt pulled out her chair as the hostess set down the menus. Then he made his way to the bar and sidled up to Haverty.
“Okay, let’s cut to the chase. What’s the prognosis?”
“Genetically speaking, you’ve got a malicious gene-suppressing code on your hands. I’ve mapped out the problem. Any sperm distributor worth their salt will understand my recommendations. In layman’s terms, get off any bull related to Eagle Cove Ranch, if you’re staying with the same cows. It’s all in here.” Haverty pushed a white envelope across the bar. “This details the exact gene expression and location, if you need to know where to look. If you stay clear of the problem gene, chances are this won’t happen again in a hundred years.”
As Haverty spoke, Matt noticed his kid sister walk past the Diamond’s windows facing the parking lot. Cory stopped in front of a wall of men from Collier’s ranch. Not a bunch that Matt enjoyed the company of in any sense of the word. One man moved in front of her as another boxed Cory in from behind.
Matt swore under his breath and directed Haverty, “Send me your bill.”
The pathologist put his hand out. “I’d be happy to look at your other cattle. I can come home with you and Dr. Rodriguez. Make it an early night.” The man winked as if they shared in his meaning.
Biting the bullet, Matt refused to react to the innuendo. If this asshole was trying to push his buttons, he’d better try harder. “This ends your relationship with Dr. Rodriguez, business or otherwise.”
“No skin off my nose,” Haverty replied coolly. “Just an offer. In case you think otherwise, here’s my card. I’ll be here until tomorrow. I’m on my way to California. One reason I decided to stop and drop.”
He couldn’t care less about Haverty. Matt went to leave, again but fuck if the asshole didn’t step in his way. “Step aside,” he ordered.
“Why? You afraid that what I’m offering sounds too good to pass up. I can talk to Carolina, smooth the—”
And there went Matt’s self-control. He swung, clocking Haverty in the jaw. The moron reeled back over a chair and clawed at the bar, stopping his fall with one arm.
Matt picked up the report. Striding to the entrance, he arrived outside in time to see the four corners form around his sister. He grabbed hold of one of the jackwads by the scruff of the neck and hauled him backwards. “Cory, get going now,” he commanded, handing her the report.
“Well if it ain’t McLemore himself.”
“There’s no need for this,” Matt said. “Let it go, Rick.”
“Why? ’Cause there’s four of us and one of you?”
Maxed out on frustration, he was in no mood for this type of shit. Matt bit out the words, “Didn’t I teach you a lesson the last time you tried to bully someone from my family?”
“Fuck off. You’re just sour that Layla had you by the short hairs for a good time and nothing else.”
“That’s all you’ve got.”
Rick’s craggily face went red. “I could wipe the Diamond’s floor with you, if I had a mind to, McLemore.”
Matt spread his arms wide. “Go on, take your best shot.” He watched the other men out of the corner of his eye. Rick’s younger brother went to step behind him. Before getting sucker-punched, Matt elbowed the man, getting him in a headlock. He growled, “Now, just what do you think you’re doing, Kevin?”
“Lemme go!”
Matt shoved him away. “You idiots need to grow up.”
A lecture wasn’t going to stop them. Not until Rick got what he had coming. Except tonight, Matt needed to be in three places at once. He had promised not to storm out of the Diamond and that’s exactly what he’d d
one. Worse, actually since he’d left Carolina alone!
He strode away from Rick and his posse, not liking to but he didn’t have a goddamn choice. Cory was waiting for him on the sidewalk by the front entrance and he snapped, “What the heck are you doing here?”
“Becca came by. She said she tried your cell but didn’t get an answer. A doctor was looking for you and Carolina with some report. Said you needed to get it tonight. I tried your cell. It’s either off or the reception is down and I don’t know Carolina’s number. I’m on my way to Jillian’s, and I just stopped by to give you his number.” Cory held out the report along with a slip of paper.
“Thanks. Those guys ever bother you before?”
“They’re knuckleheads. I would have clocked Rick, but you stopped me. I’ve got my knees and my nails. Don’t think I can’t take care of myself.” Cory grimaced at him. “Where’s Carolina?”
He jerked his chin. “Inside. I’ve got to get back.”
“Well, I’ve got to get going, too. Later, gator,” Cory said with a wave. Her car was parked at the curb and he watched as she got in and drove off.
Matt strode back into the Diamond, scanning the inside of the restaurant. Shit, Haverty was standing at the side of the table. Carolina leaned uncomfortably away from the man and then she stood up entirely. Something passed from her lips before she glanced over her shoulder, meeting his eyes with anger heating her face. Haverty spoke, extending his hand, and she moved back.
Every atom Matt possessed commanded that he haul Haverty outside except he’d already punched the asshole in the face. The last time he’d gotten into a fistfight bordered quasi similar circumstances.
Carolina’s gaze melded with his, tunnelling inside his chest, and squeezed. “Hey, sorry about that,” he said, wanting to explain. “Ready to leave?”
Haverty’s eyes widened.