Fevered Nights

by Jillian Burns

  She was like no one else he knew. Strong, passionate, wicked...loving. How was a man supposed to think straight after having her in his arms, making love, hearing those three precious words? He hadn’t meant to let things go that far, though. She probably believed he’d gotten what he wanted from her. Again.

  Couldn’t she understand why they were doomed to fail?

  He wanted kids, and sometime before he had to attend their high school graduations using a walker. She wouldn’t want to have kids anytime soon. Couldn’t exactly model lingerie with a big pregnant belly. Although that arousing, wonderful image of Piper was now permanently etched on his brain.

  Back to the point, Barrow.

  Him and Piper. Not working. Somebody had to be the sensible one. The reasons it wouldn’t work far outweighed the reasons it could. Although...

  Was he being a coward? Making excuses so he wouldn’t get hurt again? Was it just about trust?

  She’d trusted him tonight with her heart. Even after the whole debacle with Lyndsey. That couldn’t have been easy.

  But if this thing failed with Piper, then that was his third strike. She was right. He was protecting his heart. Three strikes and he’d be out. Likely, he’d be unable to recover. And not because it would be failure number three, but because that was how much he loved her.

  So it was better to lose her now?

  To hell with getting his heart shattered. If all they had was a year or two, then he’d deal with that when it happened. He was a class-one moron to let her go.

  Cursing, he jumped off the gazebo and hit the grass running. His knee screamed in agony, but he refused to register the pain. He’d ice it later.

  He could barely see her ahead of him, but he raced on. She’d already made it to the path with the rose trellis. He watched as she crossed abruptly to the left when she reached the fountain instead of continuing straight toward the main steps.

  Suddenly she disappeared behind a thick hedge. Where was she going? He jogged after her, cutting through the landscaped flowerbeds. He turned the corner and—

  Neil tore down the path, watching helplessly as Piper struggled to get out of some guy’s hold. She managed to pull away, but he still had a grip on her arms and was shaking her.

  Red-hot fury overtook Neil.

  Closing in on them, he reared back and flung his fist at the thug’s jaw. He heard a satisfying crack and Piper’s attacker dropped to the ground. The guy was out for the count.

  Neil swung Piper into his arms. “Are you all right?” She clung to him, shivering and gulping deep breaths. Pain shot up his arm and he carefully wagged his hand, pretty sure he’d broken it. “Who was that guy?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never met him. He was insane, saying I’d invited him and that he knew I loved him.”

  “I never should have let you go off alone.”

  She stiffened and shrugged out of his arms. “This isn’t your fault.”

  Neil closed his eyes briefly. “You need a bodyguard, Piper. You’re a world-famous person.”

  “Fine. I’ll hire someone. Thank you for—that.” She waved in the direction of the unconscious assailant. She tried to move away, but Neil caught her elbow with his good hand. “Wait.”

  She glanced up at him. Conflicting emotions were apparent in her face. “What?”

  She was shaken. Disheveled. It didn’t seem like the time to tell her. And tell her what exactly? That he’d changed his mind? That just the thought of living without her had made him see that he wanted to try, to risk...everything.

  Maybe she wouldn’t believe him now. She’d think he was merely trying to protect her. After she had a few moments to put herself together, then he’d tell her.

  “You’re not going anywhere alone,” he replied.

  She frowned. “Fine.”

  “And I need to get someone out here to arrest this creep.”

  “Oh, right. I’ll tell Francois.”

  She rubbed her forehead, then looked toward the mansion and headed back the way they’d come.

  He walked beside her, his mind struggling with how to say what he wanted to say.

  “You’re limping. Oh, and your hand!” She’d stopped in her tracks and was now staring at him, shocked.

  He hadn’t realized he’d allowed himself to limp. And he was cradling his hand against his chest. “It needs some ice.”

  “Ice! It’s swollen to twice its normal size. We’re going to the hospital.”

  Before she could set off, he stepped closer to her. “Piper.”

  “Don’t argue with me. You’re going to have a doctor look at your hand. And what’s wrong with your leg anyway—”

  He kissed her, this time with his good hand holding the back of her head. “I love you, too,” he murmured against her lips.

  She stilled beneath his touch, flattened her hands on his chest and shoved. He staggered back. “Now you tell me this? Now?”

  “You don’t believe me.” He reached out to catch her, but she employed evasive maneuvers, spinning and hiking up her skirt to leave. “You think this attack just made me scared.”

  “Of course not. I know you love me. I only wish you’d—”

  “Wait. You know?”

  “Neil.” She gave him an exasperated look. “A man doesn’t quit a job he loves, sneak into enemy territory on his own and risk his life to save the brother of someone he doesn’t love.” She gently covered his swollen hand. “We’ll talk later, now, please, let’s get you to a doctor?”

  “No.” His hand was throbbing, but it could wait. “I don’t want to make this any worse than I already have.” He caressed her cheek. “I do love you, Piper. I want to spend my life with you. I don’t know how it will work, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work.”

  She cradled his face between her palms. “That’s exactly why it will work, Neil. Because we both want it to.” She pressed a tender, loving kiss to his mouth. “I know you think I’m this irresponsible bad girl, but I’m not that person anymore.”

  “Yeah, about that. I kind of like it when you’re bad.”

  She smiled. “You do?”

  He touched his forehead to hers and grinned.

  “Neil?”

  “Hmm?”

  “We probably ought to call someone about—” She nodded in the direction of the still unconscious assailant. “Him.”

  Neil scowled, still furious that she could’ve been hurt or worse. “And you need to hire a bodyguard.”

  She beamed wickedly. “It just so happens I know a guy.”

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss author Jillian Burns’s next FEVER title coming soon from Harlequin Blaze!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from COME ON OVER by Debbi Rawlins.

  http://www.harlequin.com/harlequinexperience

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Blaze story.

  You like it hot! Harlequin Blaze stories sizzle with strong heroines and irresistible heroes playing the game of modern love and lust. They’re fun, sexy and always steamy.

  Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin Blaze every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Other ways to keep in touch:

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  1

  THE EAGER BEAVER was cursed. Trent Kimball had always been a skeptic, but right now, trying to get this damned old tractor to run, he was tempted to rethink his position.

  His dad had moved the whole family off the ranch when Trent was sixteen, swearing by the words of Trent’s great-granddad that anyone who tried to make s
omething of the place was doomed to failure.

  Three years later Trent’s older brother had tried to give it a go but after seven years, he’d gone belly up. When Colby had blamed it on the curse, Trent had given him a load of crap about superstition and other nonsense.

  In truth, if his bottom-feeding, soul-sucking ex-wife hadn’t damn near cleaned him out, Trent wouldn’t be here trying to whip the ranch into shape. But cursed? Nah, when it came right down to it, he wasn’t about to jinx his future when he’d barely gotten started. Eight months was nothing when it came to building a new life.

  Using a clean rag to wipe the sweat off his forehead, he squinted at the gap in the east corral where a pair of rails had come loose and fallen during the night. He’d get to that later today. The job he was on right now was far more urgent. He stared at the tractor engine. If he didn’t get it running soon, he was gonna be in a world of hurt. Alfalfa wasn’t cheap. He needed to be ready to plant come spring. And after building the stable his bank account was dwindling fast. He jerked the wrench. And caught the edge of his thumb.

  He let loose a string of cussing everyone in Blackfoot Falls, sixteen miles away, must’ve heard. Mutt didn’t even raise his head. The mangy hound stayed put, a huge lump of black fur curled up under the shade of a cottonwood. Damn lazy dog.

  Violet, his unwelcome neighbor, didn’t miss her chance to mock him and she sure as hell didn’t hold back. The unseasonably warm fall breeze carried the sound of her cackling straight to him. He turned to the wiry old woman sitting on the porch of her double-wide parked near the faded barn. As usual she was smoking an oversize pipe and having a fine time in her dilapidated oak rocker.

  One of these days she’d end up on her butt. Twice he’d offered to fix the chair for her. Twice. But as she so bluntly put it...his carpentry skills sucked. Much as he hated to admit it, she had a point.

  Though he was getting better. He’d done a meticulous job of finishing the inside of the stable himself, making sure it was hazard-free, before he’d brought Solomon and Jax, a pair of quarter horses he’d purchased a couple of years back.

  Still, the laughter coming off the porch was frying his nerves to a crisp. Here he’d cleaned her gutters, repaired the stairs by her front door and built her a handrail. But had she thanked him?

  Okay, so he’d done those things when Violet was off to town so she wouldn’t give him any lip. And yes, the woman was a burr in his boot, but he didn’t want her hurt. Just quiet. And minding her own business.

  “I know you have an air conditioner and a TV inside, Violet Merriweather,” he said, taking off his hat then resettling it on his head. “Why the hell are you sitting out here in the heat watching me?”

  “You’re funnier than any of them reality shows.” She might’ve grinned, hard to tell with the pipe hiding half her craggy features. “Anyhow, I’m all caught up on Duck Dynasty.”

  Trent sighed. If he had any sense he would’ve run her off the property when he’d first returned to Montana. The old woman had a knack for making him feel like a complete loser, and that was the last thing he needed right now. But she had no kids, no family since her brother had passed away some years back, and she’d watched him and Colby grow up. Over the years, Violet had become a fixture at the ranch. But they’d both been nicer then.

  Somewhere in her mid-eighties, she was still spry and wiry, and had plenty of opinions she was more than willing to share. For all he knew, being cantankerous was the secret to staying young.

  A stiff crosswind out of the west brought the aroma of baked beans and cornbread. Had to be coming from Violet’s stove. Their closest neighbor lived three miles away. Another whiff and Trent’s stomach growled loud enough for Mutt to lift his head. Or maybe it was the smell that roused the dog’s attention. His eyes looked mighty hopeful.

  “You think that’s coming from our kitchen?” Trent snorted. “Dream on.”

  Mutt let out a huff.

  “You know as well as I do she won’t share.” Which was a shame. Anything beyond frying eggs and bacon tested his kitchen skills. He’d offered to pay Violet to cook for him, but she’d turned him down flat. “Don’t look at me like that,” he told Mutt who’d let out a whine. “You eat better than I do.”

  The dog had shown up the day Trent arrived. Halfway down the gravel driveway, he’d noticed Mutt trotting behind the U-Haul he had towed all the way from Texas. Most of the stuff he cared about probably could’ve fit in the back of his truck. But he’d jam-packed the small rental with a few chairs, an end table, his favorite couch, the king-size bed he and Dana had shared and a few other things he didn’t particularly want, but damned if he’d let her have them. He’d been too angry to see anything but red.

  Two days after the race that’d had him and everyone else in the racing world questioning his ability as a horse trainer, she’d walked into their bedroom with an empty suitcase and handed it to him. Told him she wanted a divorce. Just like that. How had he not seen that side of her before? They’d married too young, still in the giddy stage of love and lust when they’d eloped without a word to anyone. And in the three years they were together, he’d seen her angry, hurt, pouty, even spiteful at times, but to kick a man when he was already down?

  Clearly he’d underestimated Dana’s need to have a wealthy, successful husband. She’d given up on him before the dust had even settled. Her lack of confidence in his ability to train more winning horses, making the big bucks she’d never had trouble spending, had taken a chunk of his heart. That last race, that one missed call, couldn’t have been the only straw. But he’d had no idea it would be the last.

  As for their divorce settlement, he figured giving her the big house and fancy sports car he’d paid for with his bonus money was more than enough. Hell, he’d never wanted the big colonial anyway. Or the car for that matter.

  Mutt turned toward the driveway. The dog was smart, probably half border collie, and at least five years old. Poor guy was on the homely side, with one brown eye and the other a spooky gold. It had taken two baths before Trent was able to tell Mutt’s chest was gray.

  When he let out a long, low growl, Trent shaded his eyes and peered toward the road. He didn’t get many visitors, and certainly none driving black luxury sedans.

  “It’s okay, boy.” Trent bent to stroke the dog’s side, but kept his gaze on the car as it turned down the long driveway. He glanced at Violet. “You expecting anyone?”

  “What do you think?” she muttered, her frown aimed at the slowly approaching vehicle.

  Right, silly question. “Sit,” he told Mutt, and the dog promptly obeyed. “Stay.” As the car neared the barn, Trent tugged down the rim of his hat to block the afternoon sun and started walking.

  The tinted windows wouldn’t let him see the driver but he noticed the Colorado plates. Whoever it was had to be lost. Not many people came out this far. After idling for a bit, the engine was cut. Trent stood near the hood on the passenger side, dusting off the front of his jeans while he waited for the driver’s door to open.

  A few seconds later a woman stepped out. The breeze whipped long strands of honey-blond hair across her face, preventing Trent from getting a good look at her. With a delicate hand she swept the hair out of her eyes.

  She blinked at him, then smiled. “Hello.”

  “Afternoon,” he said, touching the brim of his hat. She was pretty. Real pretty. High cheekbones. Full mouth. “Can I help you?”

  “I hope so.” She glanced at the small brick house. “I think this is the Eager Beaver ranch? The sign on the post is really faded.”

  “Yeah, um...” Trying not to grimace, he rubbed the back of his neck. Only the word Beaver was left on the wooden sign. He’d kinda thought it was funny. Until now. “I’ve been meaning to get around to that.”

  “Oh?” Her brows rose. She blinked again, looking confused as she scanned the
rundown barn, sheds and chicken coop. When she lifted a hand and smiled, he saw Violet leaning forward. “I’m sorry,” the woman said. “Please excuse my bad manners. I’m Shelby.” She came around the hood, one hand extended, the other busy trying to keep from being blinded by the breeze tangling her hair. “Shelby Foster.”

  “Trent—” His fingers grazed hers. He yanked his hand back just in time. Grease and dirt streaked his palm. “Sorry, I’ve been working on the tractor.”

  She smelled good, sweet. Not perfumy, but more like the first clean whiff of spring. And her eyes, they were green. Like fresh-cut hay. When she narrowed them he realized he was staring like a jackass.

  “Okay,” she said. “I’m not sure I understand. If this is the Eager Beaver, you must be—” Her worried gaze darted to the equipment shed, then back to the house. “So, are you the—caretaker?”

  “If I were, I’d be doing a mighty sorry job of it,” he said with a laugh.

  “Whew.” Shelby grinned. “That’s what I was thinking.”

  “Wait a minute—” His indignation only lasted a second. But then he got so distracted by her long slender legs, he forgot what he was about to say. “Who are you again?”

  “Shelby Foster.”

  “No. I mean why are you here?”

  “Well...” With a tentative smile she glanced at the porch that needed repairing. “I’m the new owner.”

  He pushed up the brim of his hat as if that would improve his hearing. “Come again?”

  “Okay, not new. Actually it’s been a year. But this is the first time I’ve come to see the place for myself.”

  Trent studied her face, the overly bright smile, the uncertainty in her eyes as her gaze swept toward the barn. It didn’t seem as if she was joking and somehow he didn’t think she was crazy.

  “Who put you up to this?” he asked, closely watching her reaction. “Was it Colby?”

  Her puzzled frown seemed genuine. “Put me up to what?”