by D'Ann Lindun
With tiny, mincing steps, the animals carried them safely down the rockslide. Montana petted Sunflower’s neck. “Good boy.”
Because she’d been concentrating on the trail, Montana didn’t immediately notice the light in the cabin window or the pungent scent of wood smoke in the air. Only when they drew close, and Sunflower stopped dead and snorted, did she see the horses in the rope corral.
“Damn.”
“What?”
She looked over her shoulder. “Someone’s here.”
“Do we have to go back to camp?” He sounded discouraged by the prospect.
“Not until we see who’s here.” She nudged Sunflower with her heels. “Depending on who it is, there’s probably room for us.”
Not sure if she was relieved or disappointed by the prospect of company, she dismounted and tied the horses to a hitch rail planted there for that purpose. She and Johnny tramped toward the small cabin, the scent of wood smoke strong now.
Climbing three steps to the small stone structure, she lifted her hand and rapped on the door. The door opened and before she knew it, Montana was enveloped in a bear hug. Pulling free, she looked into the round, smiling face of Evan Marsh. His plump body and bright, carrot-colored hair, mustache and scruff on his cheeks always made her think of a pumpkin.
“Evan. What are you doing here?”
“Same as you, I imagine. Hunting.” He stepped aside. “Come in, come in.”
Montana led the way inside. A small stove heated the space, making her too warm. She unbuttoned her vest and coat. Standing by the fire were two men. Both looked up as she and Johnny drew near.
The first, another carrot top, was Evan’s younger brother Charlie. He smiled broadly when he saw her. “Montana, hi.”
“Hey, Charlie.” She couldn’t keep slight disappointment from her voice.
He moved aside and she got a good look at the last man. Tall, broad shoulders. Chiseled cheekbones that had millions of female football fans swooning.
Tom Kerrigan.
Her stomach clenched.
She hadn’t seen him since the day she’d told him they were through. Although they’d both attended C.U., the campus was big enough that she’d managed to avoid him until she graduated. At one time she’d thought she’d spend the rest of her life with him. Staring into his blue eyes now, she felt nothing.
Surprise rocketed across his face before he smiled. “Montana. Long time no see.”
She found her voice. “Tom.”
He stepped forward and hugged her. She remained stiff in his arms and he quickly released her.
A cough behind her reminded her they weren’t alone. She turned and motioned Johnny forward.
“I’d like you to meet—”
“I know who you are. Cowboy. Rock star.” Tom held out his hand. “Tom Kerrigan.”
Johnny raised an eyebrow. “The running back for Denver?”
“The same.”
“Good to meet you.” Johnny didn’t sound enthused.
They shook hands, sizing one another up like a couple of bull elk. Fearing they were about to lock horns, Montana spoke. “Johnny, meet my friends, Evan and Charlie Marsh.”
This time he smiled when they shook hands. “Good to know you.”
“I love your music,” Charlie said.
“Thanks, buddy.”
Evan indicated a pot of chili on the stove. “We’re just about to eat. You hungry?”
“Thanks,” Montana said. “We were hoping to stay here tonight.”
“Love to have you,” Evan said immediately. He indicated bunk beds along three of the four walls. “Plenty of room.”
“Thanks,” Montana said. “I didn’t expect anyone to be here.” She wasn’t crazy about being alone with four men, but two of them she’d known since she’d been in diapers. One of them she’d planned to marry and the fourth was better to not be alone with.
“I called at the last minute, had a couple days off, and thought, what better way to spend it than with my old buddies?” Tom sounded cheerful but his eyes belied the truth. He wasn’t any happier about Montana and Johnny being there than she was to find him in the cabin.
“Aren’t you in the middle of the football season?” Johnny voiced what she wondered.
“Coach thought it might be a good idea for me to take this week off and reflect on a few things.” Tom sounded bitter.
“A suspension?” Johnny asked point blank.
“Yeah. It’s some fucked up shit,” Tom said. “Some chick’s lies—”
Montana spun toward the door. “I need to see about my horses.”
“I’ll help.” Johnny followed her outside. “I take it you know these guys?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry they’re here. They’re the Marsh brothers, my neighbors. Evan was in my class. Charlie’s a bit younger. The cabin belongs to their family. I have a key and permission to use it whenever I want…”
He eyed her. “And the football player?”
“I know him,” she said reluctantly, hoping he’d drop it.
“How well?” Did she catch a hint of jealousy in his voice?
“We were engaged for two years.”
He staggered and hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “To that guy? That hulk in there?”
“Yeah. Tom Kerrigan.” She frowned at his surprise. “What? You don’t think a big football star could fall for a girl like me?”
“I think you can have any guy you want. What I’m wondering is what you ever saw in a fool like him.”
Warmed by the compliment, she shared more than she normally would. “I thought I loved him once upon a time. Before I found out—never mind.”
No need to air all her dirty laundry. She’d already told him an ex was a cheater. No need to rake over every detail. They untacked the horses, hobbled them and turned them loose in the meadow.
“Before he what?”
“Nothing. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.” She hoisted her sleeping bag and rifle.
Clearly still curious, but letting it go, Johnny picked up his gear and the food Shannon had packed for them and accompanied Montana back inside the cabin.
In his usual chipper way, Evan invited them to sit at the table.
Montana joined Tom and Charlie, making sure to leave a place between her and Tom. Johnny immediately took the place to her left.
A pot of simmering chili, blocks of Colby, cheddar and pepper Jack cheese, and saltine crackers sat on the table.
Evan offered beer and Johnny didn’t refuse the alcohol.
Montana accepted a beer, too. She dished a bowl full of chili and cut a hunk of Colby cheese. She dug into her meal with gusto, glad she hadn’t had to cook. More tired than she’d realized, she slowly relaxed. Regret filled her that she would not be able to soak in the hot springs. Not possible with all these men.
She hadn’t packed a swimsuit and she wasn’t about to skinny dip with four guys and no other girls.
She’d been planning to swim with Johnny.
Possibly more.
Better the way things worked out.
Turning her head, she glanced at him. Apparently feeling her gaze on him, he met her eyes. Did she see regret there, too? Or was she imagining things?
“Good chow,” he said.
“It’s just chili,” Charlie said. “You must eat in some real fancy joints.”
Johnny leaned back in his seat and took a drink of beer. “I prefer normal home-cooked meals. I’m not a big fan of exotic food.”
“Can’t say that about the chicks you date,” Tom said. “Man, that babe you took to the VMAs.” He shook his head. “And your wife. Wow. Real hot. You sure can pick ’em.”
“Ex-wife,” Johnny muttered.
Montana stared into her bowl, appetite gone. Who was she kidding to believe Johnny Cortez would ever be interested in a small-town girl like her when he could date any woman in the world? She and Tom had been high school sweethearts and he’d made it abundantly clear he preferred sexier and faster girl
s the minute they hit the college campus.
“I’m sure you date some nice-looking women yourself.” Johnny sounded bored.
Tom shrugged. “I do all right.”
Johnny eyed him with a cool expression. “Seems to me you had the best and let her slip through your fingers.”
His gaze darting between Johnny and Montana, Tom grinned. “I see Montana told you we were once more than friends.”
“She did,” Johnny confirmed. “I’m just wondering why you’d let a gem like her get away. You must be a real dumb fuck.”
Tom’s enormous hands fisted. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
Charlie made a strangled sound and Evan slid his chair back from the table.
Montana wanted to climb under that table. She felt like a cow elk a couple bulls were fighting over. She turned her head back and forth, glaring at them. Had Johnny just said that? Did he have a desire to get his ass beat? Tom had to outweigh him by fifty pounds and was solid as a tree. Johnny showed no fear, his husky voice low and dangerous.
She couldn’t let him be hurt for her sake. “Guys, please—”
They ignored her, still facing off.
“Dessert?” Evan piped up, his voice high and squeaky. “I have cherry pie.”
Johnny stared at Tom until he broke eye contact. “Sounds good.”
“Great,” Johnny said. “Got ice cream?”
Charlie chuckled nervously. “Not tonight, but my pie’s good enough you won’t notice.”
Montana pushed away from the table. “Excuse me. I need some air.”
The men stood when she did. Nodding her thanks, she grabbed her coat, hat and gloves from the nail by the door. Escaping into the night, she raced toward the hitch rail, out of sight of the cabin. Leaning against it, she fought for air.
What the hell had just happened in there?
Tom was a jerk. That was a given. But Johnny? Why had he been willing to fight for her? She wasn’t anything to him. Just his guide. Not a girlfriend or wife. But he’d stood up for her like she mattered to him.
He’d called her a gem.
Her heart fluttered, spreading warmth through her body.
The front door slammed. Johnny stood on the top step. She’d recognize him anywhere. He walked in her direction, his steps quick.
Reaching her side, he said, “You okay?”
“Fine.”
“That guy’s an asshole.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I know.”
“That’s the guy who couldn’t keep his dick down?”
She almost laughed. Funny statement coming from him. “Yeah.”
“You were actually going to marry that bonehead?”
Montana turned to look at him. “Yeah, we were engaged.”
“What did you see in someone like him?”
Digging the toe of her boot into the snow, she shrugged. “I was young. I thought he was the one.” Taking a deep breath, she countered, “Did you think your marriage was the right thing at the time?”
For a moment she thought he wasn’t going to answer. That she’d gone too far. But he surprised her.
“I did.”
“But she wasn’t the right one, was she?” Montana held her breath. Would he open up and share, or would he cut her off and leave her wondering?
A full moon had risen over the mountains, making the snow glitter like diamonds strung across a velvet dress. He studied it as if he’d never seen such beauty before. “God, it’s pretty here.”
“Yeah.” She didn’t want to discuss the moon or the trees or anything but him right now.
“Getting married seemed like a good idea.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Turned out I was dead wrong.”
“At least I didn’t marry Tom before I found out what he was—is.”
“What tipped you off not to walk down the aisle?”
She could feel his gaze on the side of her face. She opened her mouth to say things, then rethought her answer. If she wanted him to open up to her about his wife, she probably ought to share a little about Tom.
“I told you. He cheated.” A ragged breath ripped out of her. “All the time. With football fans. Cheerleaders.” She snorted. “Anyone in a skirt. The last time, I found him in the shower with two girls.” Her stomach knotted as she remembered the disgusting visual.
“I get how shitty it feels to catch your partner in bed with someone else,” he said.
This time she turned to look at him. In the moonlight, she saw hurt and anger in his eyes. “It sucks.”
“Big time.”
“At least Tom didn’t sleep with my friends.” She frowned. “Not that he didn’t try.”
“You have better friends than I do.”
“The best,” she agreed. Tentatively, she touched his sleeve. “I’m sorry about what your wife did to you.”
He covered her hand with his and held it. “She actually did me a favor.”
Streaks of heat ran up and down Montana’s arm, starting at her fingers curled around his. “How so?”
“Because I’m free to do this.”
Pivoting on his left foot, he pinned her against the hitch post. Releasing her hand, he captured her face with both hands then dipped his head and assaulted her mouth with his. No sweet kiss, this was a full-on attack. Lips and tongue ravaged her mouth.
He tasted like chili and beer and desire so hot it almost burned.
She grabbed his coat sleeves and held onto them like a lifeline. If she weren’t careful, she’d fall off a cliff into the valley below.
One hand left her face and tangled in her hair, tipping her head back. Taking his mouth from hers, he tasted her neck. His unshaven cheeks burned across the tender skin. She knew he’d leave marks, but she didn’t care. Couldn’t have stopped him if she wanted to.
With his knees, he nudged her legs apart and slipped his narrow hips between them. His erection pushed against her belly with insistent pressure that promised undeniable pleasure.
Johnny worked his right hand under her coat, flannel shirt and thermals. The warmth of his palm on her stomach seared her skin. Against her neck, he muttered, “Damn, girl. How many clothes do you have on anyway?”
A nervous giggle escaped. “A lot.”
“Too damn many.”
Releasing his sleeves, she pushed him back just enough to reach between them. With trembling hands, she unsnapped her coat, then her shirt.
With a wicked glint in his eyes, Johnny pushed her pink thermal shirt up over her breasts. He unsnapped the front clasp of her plain white bra and pushed the cups aside. Exposed to the frigid air, her nipples beaded.
“Perfect.” Johnny slid his hands up from her waistband, across her ribs and settled his hands over her breasts. Molding them, he bent his head and took one nipple in his mouth. Hot, wet. The sensation of his mouth tugging on her nipple sent a shockwave through her lower belly.
Wrapping her fingers in his hair, she held on as if her life depended on it.
His mouth moved from one side to the other, tormenting until she thought she’d pass out. When his mouth released a nipple, his hand took its place, his fingers keeping it at full attention.
When she thought she might die from the exquisite torture, he lifted his head with her fingers still twisted in his hair. Moving close, he whispered in her ear, his breath warm. “Sweet as these are, I want to taste your pussy.”
Wet heat flooded her panties.
Dear God.
Montana’s knees went weak and she swayed.
“Yes,” she managed in a hoarse voice she didn’t recognize.
Someone opened the front door of the cabin and the light from inside sliced across the stairs.
“Fuck,” Johnny muttered, his forehead against hers.
As if someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over her, Montana froze. That’s exactly what they had been about to do.
Fuck.
Not make love, or anything close to it. They were going to
screw, nothing more.
She was as bad as any groupie he’d picked up at a concert.
A wave of hot shame slammed over her and she shoved him away. Trembling fingers fumbled with her buttons.
“Montana?”
“I can’t do this.” She stumbled away without looking back. “Leave me alone.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Damn it!
Johnny slammed his palms on the hitch rail. For a moment he’d let his dick rule his brain. Montana wasn’t like most of the women he knew. She wasn’t into hookups. He’d forgotten what a lady was; worse, he’d forgotten how to treat one.
He’d already decided to leave her alone, but every time he got near her, he couldn’t think with anything but his cock. No matter how much he told himself he shouldn’t, he wanted a taste.
“Fuck,” he muttered.
Waiting a few minutes until he cooled off, he followed Montana back into the cabin.
She was nowhere in sight. The bunk beds along the wall had red blankets hanging from the ceiling, concealing them from the main room. The one furthest from the table and stove was closed. Presumably she’d gone to bed. Probably for the best. He wouldn’t have to see the regret and accusation in her eyes.
The three men sat at the table drinking beer and shooting the breeze about football.
Evan motioned for Johnny to join them. “Grab a cold one and sit with us.”
Although he’d rather not, but because he was too wound up to sleep, Johnny grabbed a longneck from the cooler near the door and sat across from Tom.
When he met the football player’s eyes, they were cold and mean.
He’d made an enemy.
He didn’t give a fuck. He half-wished the guy would make a move. Johnny would love to put his fist in the smug asshole’s face.
What had Montana ever seen in a jerk like him?
Probably the same thing he’d thought he found in Teal. A brief, shining flash of something longed for.
“How’s your hunt going?” Evan asked.
“Great. My buddy bagged a trophy bull yesterday.” Johnny sipped the brew. “And I’ve seen plenty.”