Love on the Wild Side

by Mariah Ankenman

  “So, why didn’t you tell me you rode?” he asked, trying to get his mind off just how much he was starting to truly like her.

  “You never asked. You just assumed I didn’t. And what does that make you?”

  “An ass?”

  “No, an aserk.”

  His brows drew together. The woman really needed a dictionary. “That’s not a word.”

  “Well, it should be.” She took another deep sip of her wine. “It’s an ass who is also being a jerk. An aserk.”

  Lizzy and her made up words. Just another thing he was coming to find irresistible about her.

  “All right. I apologize. I shouldn’t have assumed you didn’t know anything about horses simply because you’re from LA.”

  She tipped her glass toward him. “Thank you.”

  “To make up for my gross error in judgment, how about I let you name the filly.”

  Stormy gray eyes lit up. “Really?”

  Damn. A feisty Lizzy was pretty, a sarcastic Lizzy was sexy, but a delighted Lizzy was drop dead gorgeous. He was trying hard to remember why she was off limits.

  “Sure.”

  She bit her bottom lip in thought. He wanted to bite that lip. Then kiss it, devour it, and do it all over again.

  Shit. I am in so much trouble.

  “Tempest.”

  “Tempest?”

  She nodded. “Uh huh.”

  When she failed to explain, he caved. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why Tempest?”

  “Because I think that little filly is going to give you one hell of a ride.”

  A loud bark of laughter escaped him. “She is a stubborn one. Wild, just like a storm. Yeah, I guess Tempest fits.”

  “Not stubborn. Determined,” she corrected.

  It reminded him of how he compared Tempest’s attitude to her own earlier. “Maybe we should start calling you Tempest, too.”

  Her brow rose suggestively. “Are you saying you’d like to ride me, Dade?”

  Just like that, the mood went from friendly to heated. Sexual tension hung like a thick cloud, surrounding them, choking all the air out of the small apartment. Their gazes locked, breath quickened. He was already at half-mast just being near Lizzy, but after what she just said, he was full sail. His dick strained against his jeans with images of her naked, riding him, her long strawberry-blonde hair whipping around her as she gave him the ride of his life.

  Damn, it was so real he could taste it. Taste her.

  But it wasn’t real, and he couldn’t taste her. Much as he wanted to, it was a bad idea.

  “Lizzy…I can’t.”

  “Really?” She sent a pointed look to his crotch. “’Cause it sure looks like you can.”

  Grabbing a throw pillow, he covered his lap. He wasn’t embarrassed, but her staring was not helping the situation at all.

  “That’s not what I mean. I mean we shouldn’t.”

  She studied him before replying. “Okay. Why?”

  “Colton is my brother. Maggie is your best friend.”

  “Thanks for the update.”

  He scowled. Was she being obtuse on purpose? “It will be awkward for everyone when…things don’t…work out.”

  Pale eyebrows rose. “So, things aren’t working out already? Wow, that was fast.”

  Frustrated with himself, and her, he rose, dropping the pillow. “Dammit, Lizzy. I’m not trying to be an ass here—”

  “Aserk.”

  He glared. She smirked.

  Lord save me from sassy women.

  “Look, I don’t do long term. I’m not good at it, and I don’t want to.” Mostly the truth. “You’re not a ‘fling’ kind of girl. If we got together someone would get hurt eventually.”

  “Someone being me?”

  He was trying to be the good guy here. “I’m not good at relationships, and I don’t want to hurt you or cause any bad feelings for my brother or Maggie.”

  She said nothing. After a minute of her silent stare, he couldn’t take it. “Well?”

  She rose then, taking her feet out of the tub and drying them on the small hand towel he’d brought in from the kitchen.

  “Funny thing, Dade. I don’t remember asking you to be in a relationship with me. I asked if you wanted to screw me.”

  He choked at her brash language.

  “As for Colton and Maggie, what we do, is none of their business.”

  She stepped closer. He could smell the sweet herbs from the footbath clinging to her skin. Her stormy gray eyes held a sensual promise he wanted to take advantage of. Her pink, lush lips were only inches away. He was so tempted to bend down and taste the sweetness he was sure they offered. His resolve weakened.

  “This is a bad idea.”

  She smiled, looking very much like the cat who ate the canary. “Those are the best kind.”

  Then she rose onto her toes and placed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. Sweet, just like he imagined. So damn sweet he couldn’t stop his hands from rising and sinking into the silky strands of her hair. He pulled her closer, deepened the kiss. She reacted with fervor. Her lips opened, allowing his tongue access to that delicious mouth of hers.

  Knew that mouth was good for something other than sass.

  A moan rose from her, or maybe it was him. He was so far gone, he couldn’t tell. All he could do was feel. And damn if things weren’t feeling good. Too good.

  Shit. This had not been the plan at all.

  He pulled away with a curse. Lizzy’s eyes opened slowly, her face flushed with pleasure.

  A smile curled those seductive lips. “Who says we can’t have a little fun and fond memories when it’s done? Think about it, Dade.” Then she turned and headed down the hall, calling over her shoulder, “Thanks for the foot soak. Lock up on your way out.”

  Then he was alone, standing in her doorway, wondering what the hell just happened.

  Chapter 11

  “What crawled up your butt and died?”

  Dade glared at his brother. He was cleaning out the stalls, usually a job left to the hands, but he needed to get his mind off the whole Lizzy situation.

  Dammit.

  There wasn’t supposed to be a situation. That kiss she’d given him last night kept him awake all night long. He couldn’t stop thinking about how soft and sweet her lips had been. He kept imagining how she was soft and sweet all over, and how much he’d really like to taste the rest of her.

  He needed to stop thinking that way. So, this morning, he woke up and told the guys he’d take care of the stall mucking. The hands had been surprised, but pleased. No one liked to shovel horse crap. It was hard work and stunk, but it had been getting his mind off Lizzy and that kiss. Sort of.

  “Seriously, you’ve been in a funk for a while now,” his brother continued. “Is it that guy? Carr? I thought you said he didn’t have a case?”

  “He doesn’t.” He glanced at Colton. “In fact, he dropped the suit when Lizzy recognized him and his asshat lawyer as con artists.”

  He pushed the Stetson back on his head, eyes going wide. “What? When did this happen?”

  Dade paused in his shoveling. Probably should have shared the story the day it happened, but he didn’t like to worry Colt with ranch troubles if there was no need to. They may share this place fifty-fifty, but he was older, and he still took the responsibility and looked out for his little brother.

  Leaning against his shovel, he relayed the story of the diner meeting. Starting with their back and forth, then Lizzy showing up, and ending with the two men realizing they had been made and taking off. He conveniently left out the drink offer.

  “Hot damn. Good thing Lizzy showed up or we could have wasted a small fortune in court fees.”

  He grunted. The sexy temptress being around was in no way a good thing for him. The woman had him so twisted up he felt like a damn trucker’s hitch.

  “Why do you have such a problem with Lizzy? Maggie was kind of hoping that hike you two took the other day would help you get to know ea
ch other better. She really wants you guys to be friends.” Anger darkened his little brother’s face. “I thought you said you were going to try and get along with her.”

  That was the problem. He did like her, too much. And they were getting along, though not in the way Colton and Maggie meant, he was sure.

  “I don’t have a problem with her.”

  His brother gave him a dry stare. “Could have fooled me.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, he stared at his muck covered boots. “It’s complicated, Colt.”

  “Why, ’cause you have the hot’s for her?”

  His head whipped up so hard he swore he heard a crack.

  The little shit laughed. “What? You think I didn’t know? You’re like a dog in heat around that woman, snarling at everybody who gets too close. It’s funny as hell to see you staking a claim like that.”

  “I am not staking a claim,” he argued.

  Colton held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, big brother, whatever you say, but tell that to Ryder. I heard about how you practically punched the sheriff the other night just for dancing with Lizzy.”

  Stupid small town gossip.

  “What’s the problem, Dade? I think you two would make a cute couple.”

  His brother was teasing him. Nothing new; it was what little brothers lived for apparently, but at the moment, he didn’t appreciate it.

  “The problem is…she’s Maggie’s best friend. We’re total opposites, and she lives in LA.”

  Colton shook his head and started ticking off fingers. “One, Maggie loves you, and it would only be a problem for you to date Lizzy if you broke her heart.”

  Which he would inevitably do since he couldn’t do long term.

  “Two,” his brother continued. “Haven’t you ever heard of opposites attracting?”

  Yes, he had also heard of it being a wildly explosive thing that ended horribly when the couple couldn’t find a middle ground.

  “Three, she used to live in LA. She’s moving here, remember?”

  Yeah, but what if she realized small town living wasn’t for her? A lot of people moved out here to get away from the hustle and bustle only to discover they were bored out of their mind and hightailed it back to wherever they came from.

  No sweat off his back. He enjoyed small town living, the slower pace, the peace and quiet. It suited him, but it didn’t suit everyone. What happened when Lizzy decided she couldn’t handle the boredom and went back to LA?

  It seemed like that would be a good thing. Then their relationship would be temporary, just another fling. It seemed good, but it felt wrong.

  Damn.

  This woman was screwing with his mind left and right.

  “Drop it, Colt.” His words came out as a dark growl.

  His brother studied him. “Is there another reason? Something you’re not telling me?”

  Yes.

  “Is this about that woman in Aspen?”

  What the hell?

  “Yeah, I figured,” Colton said, obviously reading the surprise on his face. “You never talked about her much, but after you two stopped seeing each other, you kind of changed. Became more withdrawn. Plus, you haven’t dated anyone since.”

  True. He hadn’t dated anyone since her, since Rachel.

  “I don’t know what happened back then, but you shouldn’t let it affect you now. Move on. If you like Lizzy, really like her, then go for it. I just want to see you happy, big brother.”

  With that bit of advice, the younger man turned and walked away. Dade stood there, shovel in hand, and thought about what his brother said.

  Colton thought he should get on with his life. Move on and start something with Lizzy, but it was impossible. He was starting to like her, a lot. He was coming to care for her. And that right there was the reason he couldn’t be in a relationship with her, because of the last woman he cared for.

  Rachel.

  He loved Rachel, and she had rejected him.

  Then she died.

  Chapter 12

  I will not eat another cupcake. I will not eat another cupcake.

  Lizzy kept repeating the mantra to herself. It wasn’t working. She’d never been very good at resisting temptation. Which was why she boldly kissed Dade the other night.

  And man oh man what a kiss.

  The man was more scrumdiddlyumptious than she had imagined.

  Grabbing a buttercream frosted, vanilla cupcake off the shelf, she bit into it with relish. Giving in last night had been sweet, so why resist now?

  “That’s your fourth cupcake,” Jamie’s amused voice commented from behind her. “You’re going to get sick.”

  She grinned and turned to face the young girl. “More like I’m going to go broke spending all my money on these delicious, sugary temptations.”

  “At least you get an employee discount.”

  “Did you make this batch or Tony?”

  “Tony,” her employee replied. “I’m good, but I’m not that good.”

  She moaned as the rich, sugary cake practically melted on her tongue. “God, I thought Maggie’s cupcakes were hard to resist. Tony,” she called to the young man in the back. “You are either a god or the devil. I’m not sure which.”

  His head poked around the corner. He smiled, revealing that devilish dimple. “I just make Ms. Evan’s recipes.”

  “You make magic,” she countered.

  The bell above the shop rang. Lizzy put her half-eaten cupcake down and turned to help the customer. Her heart started to race. “Dade, what a pleasant surprise.” How stupid was it she was so excited to see this man?

  “Lizzy.” Face somber, he asked, “Can I talk to you in private?”

  Hmm, maybe not so pleasant.

  “Sure. Follow me.”

  As she led him back to her “office” all the good feelings of the morning fled. The delicious dessert she just enjoyed turned sour in her stomach. She did not like the somber frown on Dade’s face or the fact he wouldn’t look her in the eye.

  They reached the back of the shop. Partially hidden behind the wall, she turned to face him. He removed his black Stetson and nervously gripped the hat in his hands. This was going to be bad.

  “What is it?” Her mind went to the worst possible scenario. “Did something happen? Is Maggie okay?” Was her wound not healing? Did she take a turn for the worse? Why hadn’t her best friend called her?

  “No, nothing like that.” He held out a hand to reassure her. “Maggie’s fine.”

  Relief uncurled the knot of fear in her chest, and she sank onto her office chair.

  “Oh good. Whenever Maggie gets sick, she always thinks she’s better off than she really is. Silly woman tries to do her normal routine and then gets even worse.” She smiled. “I was afraid she might have done something like that.”

  And her sometimes overdramatic mind jumped to the most disastrous conclusion. She blamed that on growing up with two “show biz” types. Thanks, Mom and Dad. The only thing they ever really gave her was a flair for the dramatic.

  Dade shook his head. “Colt barely lets her leave the couch. Waits on her hand and foot.”

  “I knew I liked him.” She smiled wider, but he didn’t return the sentiment. “So, what’s up?”

  Shifting from foot to foot, he stared at his hat as he talked. “I wanted to apologize for…last night.”

  Last night? She didn’t like where this was going. “What about last night?” she asked softly, anger starting a slow boil in her gut.

  He let out a soft sigh. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

  Yeah, I really don’t like where this is going.

  “If I remember correctly, I kissed you.”

  His gaze finally rose to meet hers. Its blue depth held a swath of regret.

  Perfect. Just what every woman wanted to see the day after an amazingly tantalizing kiss. Proof that it was all one-sided.

  “I kissed you back, and I shouldn’t have.”

  Angry, and a little hurt, she
replied with her standard go-to around this man. Sarcasm. “Right, you should have hauled off and slugged me.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Dammit, Lizzy. This isn’t a joke.”

  “You see me laughing, cowpoke?”

  Jaw clenched, he gripped his hat tighter. “Look, nothing can happen between us, and I shouldn’t have encouraged you, so, I’m sorry.”

  Great, he was sorry. He wanted her, but he didn’t want to want her. Story of her life. People always wanted something from her, but never everything. They either wanted her for her looks, or her connections, or her money—Elizabeth Hayworth. No one ever wanted just Lizzy. The only one who ever accepted her as she was, was Maggie. That’s why she would do anything for her best friend. She was the only one who truly cared for her crazy, quirky, melodramatic, whole-self package.

  “Relax, Dade, it was just a kiss.”

  No, it wasn’t.

  “No big deal.”

  Yes, it was.

  “I’d nearly forgotten about it anyway.”

  Never in a million years.

  His eyes turned hard with anger. Good, no reason she should be the only one with hurt feelings.

  “I just think it would be better for everyone, if we just stayed friends.”

  “Sure, buddy ol’ pal. Whatever you say.”

  She could hear his teeth grind together. Okay, so she was being a bit of a bitch, but he was acting like a jerk. An aserk. He sent off all these signals, kissed the ever-loving daylights out of her, and now wanted to “just be friends?” There was more going on here, but if Dade wanted to take the coward’s way out she’d let him.

  Didn’t mean she had to let him off easy.

  “Is that it?” she asked, pasting the fake smile on her face she used for LA ass-kissing. “Because in case you haven’t noticed, I have a bakery to run.”

  He didn’t buy her act. Concern replaced anger in his eyes.

  Oh great, now he pities me. Well, screw him. She didn’t need his pity. She was fine.

  “Are you going to be okay?”

  “Jeez, it was one kiss. You must think pretty highly of yourself if you think I’ll get all brokenhearted over one lousy, little kiss.”