Catch Me a Cowboy (Wattle Valley, #1)

by Jacquie Underdown

  Emily guessed, by the looks of Amelia, she’d not experienced anything but fawning males in her history.

  ‘How so?’ asked Tatiana. ‘I found him incredibly attentive.’

  Amelia shrugged a bare shoulder. ‘I’m not sure.’ She rolled her eyes, sipped on her straw again, then sighed histrionically. ‘I went to take his hand and he pulled away from me. Seriously, my school kids behave better.’

  ‘I’m sure that’s not it, Amelia,’ said Becky. ‘He’s polite. I don’t think he’s going to make moves early on with anyone.’

  Emily didn’t miss what was unsaid in that statement: Yes, even with someone as young and beautiful as you, Amelia. She had a strong sense that if these girls were to find out the reality of her and Wil’s dates, she’d be a lamb to the slaughter. But they’d never know, as long as Emily kept her mouth shut, and as long as Wil did the same.

  Her gaze floated to the entrance. Empty. Damn, she really needed to talk to him.

  The cocktails flowed and as Emily chatted with the other women, laughing and talking about the sexy guy they were each dating, she could forget where she was, and that their sexy men were all one and the same—Wil.

  When Amelia left the group momentarily for the bar, the gossip began.

  ‘Amelia’s too young for him,’ said Tatiana.

  ‘Did that seriously just come out of your mouth?’ Becky laughed sardonically. ‘No man, ever, would find that twenty-three-year-old woman too young. Wil included. He’s a gentleman, but he’s still a man. And besides, she’s still here, isn’t she?’

  Emily watched Amelia as she waited at the bar. Wil was twenty-nine, but this girl laughing with the barman, coiling her long blonde hair around her finger, did look very young. Small and petite. And Becky was right. Twelve girls so far had been eliminated, but Amelia was still here. Emily would be lying if she didn’t admit to that grating on her, just a little. Emily’s own father had left a marriage of twenty years for a younger woman. The allure of youth was strong—so strong that men would destroy entire families to chase it.

  She bit back an angry groan for having such ridiculous thoughts. She was thirty years old, one year older than Wil, not seventy. God, Amber’s comments and this show were warping her brain. And besides, Emily was the one kissing Wil, not Amelia. By her own admission, he wouldn’t even hold her hand. Emily narrowed her eyes as she glanced at her again. What if Wil was behaving the way he did with Emily, with the other girls? Emily wasn’t spilling her secrets to them; they could be acting just as discreetly.

  Closing her eyes, she rubbed the back of her neck with her hand. Stop it, Emily. You’re doing what you always do. Trying to find a reason to prove him untrustworthy. Ultimately, that was the reason her last three relationships had ended. She knew that. But it was proving a hard habit to break. One she had hoped, by the time she was thirty, she’d have beaten.

  Emily had a solid head buzz up by the time Wil came in—exactly what the directors had hoped for, she was sure. He was dressed more casually than the last cocktail party—torn stone-washed denim jeans, a short-sleeved white t-shirt, which hugged his muscled arms, and that make-her-so-damn-wet cowboy hat.

  She held back this time though she tensed to go to him. His smile was wide and courteous as he strode towards the small cluster of women. ‘Hi, ladies,’ he said, tipping his hat.

  That move stoked the fire in her belly—the flash of his eyes, dimples, and seeing those arms on display. His gaze swept over the girls until he found her. Emily smiled as she locked her gaze with his. ‘Hi,’ she mouthed.

  He winked. ‘Hi.’

  And her legs turned to jelly beneath her. That’s all it took, for him to see her. She wanted to go to him and throw her arms around him. She wanted to explain that she didn’t mean to stand him up and she hoped he hadn’t waited too long.

  Chapter 26

  Wil headed directly to Emily. He wouldn’t be able to relax until he knew she was okay and what had started between them hadn’t come to an abrupt end for reasons he couldn’t comprehend. No one else in the room existed. When she placed her hands on his shoulders and leant in to receive a kiss on her cheek, his body sighed to feel her touch, to breathe in her scent—sweetly feminine.

  ‘Everything okay?’ he asked.

  She leant back and edged closer for a kiss on his other cheek. ‘So sorry. Waylaid.’

  Leaning back he smiled down at her. ‘I thought you may have changed your mind about me.’ He didn’t care about the cameras. He needed to know.

  She shook her head.

  His shoulders rolled and he realised how tense he had been. God, he wanted to kiss her so badly then. ‘Tonight,’ he whispered incredibly softly, eyes hotly on hers.

  She nodded imperceptibly.

  He blew out a long breath and smiled. ‘I’ll just say hello to the others, then we can talk.’

  ‘Sure.’

  Wil turned to the other girls. He had to choose at least three women to talk one-on-one with over at a little section of the barn set up with cameras. It was all bullshit—supposedly to give him more time to see who he wanted to eliminate later on tonight. But, as he kept reminding himself, this was part of the game. And this game came with Emily, so he’d endure it. Besides, he already knew who he was going to eliminate.

  He took Tatiana with him first. They chatted about their date and she told him more about her modelling career. She was incredibly well-travelled and had a head on her shoulders. He loved to listen to her talk because her stories were engaging. He appreciated her life experience and maturity. Life in Russia had been difficult for Tatiana but her parents found refuge in Australia where she was given the opportunity to flourish. She was currently in the process of releasing a swimsuit line.

  ‘You’re incredibly beautiful and smart, Tatiana. It astounds me that you’re single.’

  Pain flickered in her blue eyes before she lowered her gaze. ‘Yes. Some men find it difficult to be with successful women.’

  He shook his head, his brow crinkled with incredulity. That’s one thing he could never understand. Determined, successful, independent women were who attracted him. There was nothing more desirous than a confident woman meeting him head-to-head. ‘Their loss,’ he said, and he meant it. He knew Tatiana wasn’t right for him and his lifestyle here on the farm. He sensed she would soon grow weary of the quiet. But she was an amazing woman and he hoped the best for her.

  He escorted Tatiana back to the other ladies and asked Amelia if she would talk to him for a while. The director stipulated that Amelia was one person he had to talk to. It angered him because he knew the reasons why. Their last date didn’t end on a good note.

  She smiled, stood and took Wil’s hand. Wil ushered Amelia to an area at the back of the barn. She was a young teacher from the outer suburbs of Melbourne, beautiful and sweet, but ruthless. She tried to kiss him at least three times, hold his hand, squeeze his thigh, and press her hand under his shirt. Yes, her attentions were flattering, but he knew if she stayed here, those attentions would grow and it would look bad on film. He didn’t want to do anything to hurt Emily, despite what she said about her not having a claim on him. And there were only so many times you could politely remove yourself from someone’s embrace and advances before you looked like a rude, arrogant arsehole.

  Amelia was rigid as she sat beside him, kept a distance between them. He sighed because he knew his constant rejection of her advances had hurt her.

  He frowned. ‘I’m sorry, Amelia.’

  She shook her head, shrugged. ‘What for? I’m fine.’

  ‘There are still eight ladies left and nearly six weeks of filming. I want to ease into this. Make sure I’m not moving too quickly.’

  She flicked her hair over her shoulder and nodded. ‘Sure. I get it.’

  He could foresee this type of situation becoming worse as the weeks went by. And the hardest thing was these women were wonderful in their own way. It was the format of the show that meant all but one had to ostensi
bly lose.

  He tried to talk to her for a while longer, but she was a closed book. He didn’t persist. It made him feel ridiculous and Amelia more resentful. He escorted her back to the other ladies who were loud and raucous, laughing and chatting with each other. It warmed his heart to see Emily looking more relaxed with them now. Especially after some of the comments she’d received.

  He stood in front of Emily and grinned wide. ‘Hi there.’

  She smiled up at him with her honey-brown eyes. ‘Hi.’

  ‘Did you want to come have a chat with me?’

  ‘Sure.’

  He held his hand out to her and she gripped it, loving the instant comfort and warmth it provided him. He led her to the hay bales and sat close, his arm around her and his fingers running up and down her back. It was a compulsion to touch her. He knew how it would look once the show aired, but he didn’t care. Touching her was like needing air.

  She nestled in under his arm, leaning against his chest. ‘I’m a tall woman—’

  ‘Yes, you are,’ he said. That was one of the qualities he loved most about her. He was a tall man, so he could certainly accommodate her height.

  ‘But next to you, I feel tiny.’

  He laughed. ‘Is that a good thing? Or do you like to dominate your men?’

  ‘If you mean like with whips and bondage …’

  There was a flirtatious lilt to her tone he couldn’t ignore. He arched a brow.

  ‘No. But, I definitely prefer men to be tall.’ She giggled then.

  ‘What?’ he asked, smiling.

  ‘You’d be surprised how many short men have a fetish for tall women.’

  ‘Is that right?’

  She nodded. ‘Personally, I think it’s because their heads are at breast level.’

  Wil chuckled. ‘Could be. Or it could be the appeal of a tall, sexy woman. That’s the first thing I noticed about you. Statuesque. Soft curving lines. And those gorgeous honey eyes.’

  She lowered her head and blushed. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered when able to meet his gaze again. ‘I thought it might have been all the mud. A sexy new fashion statement.’

  He chuckled deeply, but leant closer to her and said, ‘I noticed you before then, Emily.’

  She peered into his eyes, lips gently parted. God, he wanted to kiss her so bad. Could he? Could he lean in right now and kiss her again? His eyes dropped to her lips when her tongue ran over them, wetting them. So tempting.

  ‘Emily,’ he growled, low and deep. ‘Do not look at me like you want to eat me …’ He shook his head. ‘I can barely contain myself now.’

  A deep breath in and he straightened taller, breaking the trance. He had to talk, or he was going to kiss her. ‘I’m continually asked what I’m looking for in a partner and I can never give an answer. I think it’s that quality that can’t be defined. You know what I mean? That indescribable feeling that’s so damn strong it coats every thought and accompanies every breath.’ He pressed his hands to his forearms. ‘I feel it on my skin.’ His gaze dropped to her mouth and his voice grew hoarse. ‘And taste it on your tongue. I don’t know what it is, but that’s what I want. And that’s what I feel when I’m with you. That’s what I felt tugging at my insides when I first saw you.’

  Emily pushed her hair off her forehead, her head tilting towards her shoulder as she tried to hide her gushing pleasure. ‘That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.’

  ‘It’s the truth,’ he said.

  ‘You’re so direct.’

  He shrugged. ‘I want something real. And if that means I’m direct and wear my heart on my sleeve in order to get it, then I’ll do it.’ He reached for her, his hand cupping her face, his thumb smoothing over her cheek. She nestled towards the touch, blinking long, slow blinks. ‘Early days yet, Emily, but I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.’

  She nodded against his hand. ‘Me too.’

  Slowly, he removed his hand from her face, all her heat rushing away from him. He wanted to chase it, drown himself in it. Under normal circumstances, he would have. But he continued to remind himself that this was a game show, these small interactions were miles from ordinary.

  ‘Thanks for spending time with me tonight.’

  She smiled. ‘And thank you.’

  They stood and Wil placed his palm on the small of her back. ‘Eleven,’ he whispered, almost too soft to hear.

  Emily smiled and grinned up at him, then he took her back to the other ladies.

  Chapter 27

  Despite knowing there was a private date with Wil later tonight, Emily was twitching with adrenaline at the elimination ceremony. She wasn’t surprised when Wil announced that Amelia was the next to be booted.

  Missy, a camera on her, and another on Amelia, said, ‘That means tonight, Amelia, you will be going home. Please take a short moment to say goodbye.’

  Chin high, Amelia walked to Wil and stood directly in front of him. She looked a small bird compared to his enormous frame. Meeting Wil’s gaze, she said with a loud, clear voice, ‘I’m glad you eliminated me.’

  Wil’s expression didn’t alter. Emily’s eyes widened and she glanced quickly at Becky, who was looking equally shocked.

  ‘Yes, because you think you’re above me and the other women here, and I’d rather not continue with a man like that.’

  ‘I assure you, Amelia, I don’t feel that way. And for you to say that, when I was only ever gracious to you and to my other guests, is highly offensive. So, I’m sorry you feel that way, but I’m now sure that my decision about who is to leave the competition tonight was a correct one.’ Despite his stern words, his chest and stance had deflated. Knowing him like Emily did, this was not something he would have ever wanted—bitterness, resentment. But, it was a game and unavoidable when people’s real emotions were at stake.

  Real emotions, like her own.

  Amelia said nothing more and marched out of the barn. Emily noted Wil’s hands fisting at his side and the tic in his jaw. This had angered him. The seven remaining ladies looked to each other.

  ‘Hashtag awkies,’ said Daniella.

  Awkward all right.

  Missy turned to the contestants. ‘And seven lovely ladies remain. Congratulations to you all for reaching the business end of the competition. This is where things really start to heat up. Over the next fortnight, you will each be going on full day dates with our cowboy. All I can say is to be prepared for anything.’

  Eventually, the filming ended and an entirely new excitement took over Emily. For in a little under two hours, she would be alone with Wil, the stars their only audience. When back at the cottage, Emily didn’t let anyone or anything stop her from leaving this time. She made sure the hall of the sleeping quarters was empty before she snuck quietly down it and slipped out the back door.

  Once outside, she shrugged her jacket closer around her and strode towards the tree. The dew-damp grass crunched under her boots. The material of her dress swished around her thighs with each step. The only other sound was her breathing and the melodic hum of crickets. As she neared the tree, she could already see Wil’s big outline.

  She sighed as she smiled and kept on towards him.

  He held his arms out to her and she rushed into them until they were firmly on her hips. He drew her to his chest, cradled her cheeks in his hands, then lowered his face and pressed his lips to hers with a long, desperate sounding inhale. The cold fled and his warmth blanketed her; there was nothing else but his lips and tongue, the feel of his palms on her face, and the crush of his chest against hers.

  Slowly, he pressed back from her and whispered, ‘I’ve wanted to kiss you for days. I thought I’d go mad if I didn’t see you tonight.’

  His lips met hers again, with more need than she thought possible, his tongue softly sliding against hers. The sensation hit her low and deep between her thighs and she involuntarily rocked against him, only to feel the long, hard length of his erection at her tummy. He growled against her m
outh as she made contact, the sound like fingers on her flesh. A fire ignited within, scorching her. His hands made a long firm slide down her arms, to her waist and one gripped firmly on her arse, pushing her against his shaft again. Another rumble in his chest and a desperate sigh slipped from between her lips.

  ‘I am so fucking hard for you.’

  Those words invoked an aching desire and were totally unexpected. Seems he was only a gentleman in the street.

  ‘Those boots …’ His voice was deep and rough, almost a growl, ‘I keep imagining you wearing them and nothing else. And your legs wrapped around my waist as I …’ He broke off to kiss her. She rolled herself against him again. Her body throbbed; her head was light. ‘You turn me on so fucking much, every minute of the day.’

  Her breaths were thin in her throat; the need pulsing through her body was strong. But they were under a tree in the cold of the night, stars winking above them, and a houseful of women less than two hundred metres away.

  Wil edged back, resting his forehead to hers. His breaths were heavy. ‘Emily,’ he said with a low, deep voice. ‘If I keep kissing you, I won’t stop.’

  She knew exactly what he meant. Like nice things on this farm, there was also a time and place for what was happening between them … and it was preferably a bedroom.

  ‘I understand,’ she whispered, amazed by how breathless she sounded.

  He straightened up and ran a hand through his hair, then took a step back. He inhaled deeply. ‘So no trouble getting away tonight?’

  She shook her head. ‘No. The other night, Becky caught me going out the back door and kept me talking. I couldn’t leave without her knowing what I was up to.’

  He pulled his mobile out of his back pocket. ‘Can I have your number, so we can text this sort of thing? It’s tricky with the microphone strapped to us and the cameras honed to catch every movement.’

  She nodded and told him her number. He entered it into his mobile and shoved it into his back pocket again.

  ‘Tonight’s elimination was tough, ha?’