Stripped Naked (Naked Cowboys)

by Desiree Holt

  Not that he minded inhaling that slightly spicy scent of hers. Or feeling her thigh pressed against his.

  But then he remembered what she looked like naked, heat blazing in her eyes, nipples swollen and rosy, pussy lips glistening, and he thought he’d have to douse his fly with ice water before he could get up from the table. He was just grateful he’d insisted on taking his own vehicle, pleading the necessity to be available if he got a call.

  Last night she’d invaded his dream, strolling into his bedroom wearing nothing but the high heels he’d first seen her in and his Stetson. Holy shit. If he hadn’t taken himself in hand when he’d woken up, he’d have had a hard time walking today. And the image of her in heels and hat just wouldn’t quit. One of these nights he’d have to insist she dress like that.

  One of these nights?

  Just how long did he think this whatever it was would last? Sex with no strings, they’d agreed. He didn’t even have to worry about cultivating a friendship. They could just heat the sheets when the fire blazed. Exactly what he wanted, especially with a reporter. Jesus, how he hated reporters. This should be a no-brainer for him.

  So why, after only one night with her, did he have a niggling little feeling that he was missing something here? That whatever he was doing, he was doing it wrong?

  He gave himself a mental shake. He had work to do here. Bad enough he dreamed about this woman at night. He couldn’t afford to let her take residence in his mind during the day.

  Lifting the receiver, he dialed a number from memory and waited to hear Charlie Whittaker’s voice.

  Jinx hit the Send key on her computer to forward this week’s editorial to the graphics people for formatting. The subject had swirled around in her mind ever since the auction the day before. The horses being sold were animals that had been rescued from owners that abused or abandoned them, nursed back to health by rescue facilities until they were in shape to find a good home.

  She was surprised that Matt and Buck had steered Dillon to this auction to buy the horse he wanted. But as he pointed out, he didn’t need a cutting horse or one who could go the distance on the trail. He just wanted a comfortable ride, he’d told them. He’d found one in a big appaloosa about seven years old. Jinx’s heart had caught slightly when she watched Dillon walk up to the horse, hold out his hand and the big gelding nuzzled it with no fear. Impulsively, she snapped the shot with her camera. It might make good art for a story.

  She’d hung back while Dillon took care of paying the auctioneer and arranging to have the horse picked up. Seeing the two of them together—horse and man—had warmed something inside her. Or maybe it was just the incredible heat that consumed her whenever she was within five feet of him.

  Jinx leaned back in her chair and ran her fingers through her hair. Images from the night with Dillon kept flashing in her mind. Images of him standing before her naked, his cock thick and swollen, his eyes dark with desire. Closing her eyes, she felt again the sensation of that cock sliding inside her, her pussy throbbing in response. Unconsciously, she squeezed her thighs together and felt the muscles in her tummy tighten. In one more minute—

  “Uh, Jinx?”

  She snapped upright so fast she almost knocked over her chair. Lew stood in front of her, a strange expression on his face.

  Holy shit!

  Just what she needed. To be caught in the middle of an erotic fantasy by one of her employees. Especially Lew, so young and impressionable. She cleared her throat and smoothed her hand down the fabric of her jeans, wishing she had ice water to dump over her head.

  “I’m fine. Fine.” She pasted a smile on her face. “Did you need something?”

  “I heard the new sheriff bought a horse. Everyone’s so hungry for information about him I wondered if you wanted a personal-info feature. Show him really settling in here.”

  The next words popped out of Jinx’s mouth before she could swallow them. “I thought I’d call him or go by and see if there’s anything new on the body. I can talk to him and see if he’s up for a photo shoot.”

  Damn. Why didn’t she just let Lew do it so she didn’t have to get up close and personal with Dillon Cross? Good sense dictated that she keep her distance from him except in bed. Except who said she had good sense? Witness the debacle with Max.

  “So you’re taking care of it, then?”

  Lew’s voice broke into the fog in her brain again.

  “Yes. I said yes.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Sorry, Lew. I have a lot of things on my mind.”

  Lew frowned. “Are you sure you’re alright? Can I get you anything?”

  Yes. A new brain.

  “No, I’m fine. Thanks. I’ll get ahold of Sheriff Cross and see what we can do.”

  She sat there for a long moment after Lew walked away, trying to figure out the best way to handle this. Just walking into his office would be presumptuous and probably reinforce his distaste of the attitude of reporters. Making an appointment seemed a little too formal in a county where informality was keynote. Finally, after running every possibility through her brain, she thought about what her dad would have done and picked up the phone to call the sheriff’s office.

  “Is this a personal or professional call?” Dillon asked when she was put through to him.

  “Professional, of course,” she told him, then lowered her voice. “Personal is in a whole other arena.”

  He cleared his throat. “Then what can I do for you, Miss Malone?”

  She swallowed a smile. “The publisher of The Hill Country Herald would like to invite the sheriff of Rowan County to lunch to discuss current stories and other details.”

  He waited so long to answer her she thought maybe he’d hung up.

  Finally, he said, “I can make it at one o’clock. Does that work for you?”

  “Of course. The Bit and Bite okay with you?”

  “Fine. See you then.”

  Jinx leaned her elbows on the desk and cradled her head in her hands. What was she getting herself into? Just the sound of Dillon’s voice made every pulse point throb and her panties dampen. Her breasts ached with the memory of his touch and her nipples stiffened, hungry for his mouth on them. She had never considered herself sexually needy or excessively aroused. Maybe it had been Max and not her. Or maybe the combination of the two of them just hadn’t worked, and that was one of the contributing factors to his cute little threesome. She just didn’t know.

  What she did know was just the thought of Dillon Cross was enough to make her want to break down every sexual boundary ever invented, and that scared her. It was a good thing there wasn’t an emotional situation here or she’d be cooked.

  Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

  She pushed back her chair and headed for the break room. Maybe a cold drink from the fridge would cool her off.

  Chapter Four

  Jinx watched as Dillon walked through the Bit and Bite toward their booth, exchanging nods and greetings with people along the way. God, he was a mouthful and a half. His tall, lean body moved with the grace and ease of a jungle cat. A good match for the predatory gleam in his eyes when he spotted her. He stopped to exchange a few words with someone before sliding into the booth opposite her. When he took off his Stetson and placed it on the seat beside him, she wanted to reach over and run her fingers through his sun-streaked hair.

  I have got to get my hormones under control.

  The waitress who had brought Jinx coffee earlier showed up and placed two menus in front of them. Dillon asked for coffee also and water as well. Then he leaned back in the booth.

  “So what’s on your agenda today, madam publisher?”

  “Two things, actually.” She took a sip of her rapidly cooling coffee. “As I’m sure you can guess, I’m hungry for any update on the naked body in the ditch. Has he been identified yet? Any clues as to who left him there? ”

  Dillon took a moment before he answered her as if organizing his thoughts.

  “I really do
n’t have a lot to tell you,” he said at last. “What I do have is really not for public consumption yet. And I haven’t had a lot of good luck sharing information with reporters and asking them to keep it confidential.”

  Jinx had a feeling this animosity was as much personal as professional. She’d love to know who put that kink in his brain and how.

  “The Hill Country Herald has an excellent reputation,” she told him. “Because we are a small town in a small county, a lot of what happens is based on trust. I wouldn’t be in business long if I broke that trust.”

  Again he was silent, his eyes studying her. Then he nodded. Once.

  “Don’t make me regret this, Jinx. I’ll make sure you know what you need to know when you need to know it as long as you keep the faith.”

  “You won’t know if you can trust me unless you try,” she pointed out.

  He took a slow sip of his coffee then set the cup down carefully in the saucer.

  “We’ve checked everywhere in Rowan County,” he began,” and the deputies are working their contacts in the contiguous counties. There’s no one unaccounted for anywhere. Trust me, we’ve reached out to everyone and anyone.”

  “I’m guessing you didn’t stop there.”

  “You’re right. Today I called my old sergeant with the San Antonio Police Department and asked him to look at recent disappearances. See if there’s anything that fits this situation.”

  Jinx lifted her eyebrows. “You think someone dumped a San Antonio body out here?”

  “I think it’s highly possible. Whoever it was blew his face away and dumped him in a county where violent crime is almost nonexistent. I suspect they figured we’d be inexperienced rubes chasing our tails over this.”

  “So have you heard back from him?”

  Dillon shook his head. “Not yet. I only called him this morning. But he should get back to me before too long.”

  The waitress materialized again and they placed their order.

  “So.” Dillon gave her a curious look. “You said two things. What’s the other?”

  She told him about Lew’s idea for a human interest story. “You know. Sheriff buys rescued horse, support’s organization’s efforts.”

  He twisted his mouth in a grimace. “I’m not really looking for that kind of publicity.”

  “But in Rowan County this is the kind of stuff people just eat up. And the more they identify with you personally, the easier it is to keep the peace.” She curved her lips into a teasing grin. “Come on. Let us make people love you. Besides, it’s good publicity for your department.”

  He blew out a breath. “Okay. I don’t really like this kind of stuff, but you’re right. I need to connect on different levels with everyone.”

  “Thank you.” She gave him a genuine smile. She really did appreciate him doing this. “If you’ve got time after we eat I can do the interview. Then we can set up a time for Lew to come out to your place and get some shots of you and your horse. Did you name him yet?”

  “He came with one. Warrior. I thought I’d keep it since he already answers to it.”

  “Good. That’s good. I like it. A strong name.”

  Dillon reached for the bill when it came but Jinx grabbed it away from him.

  “My treat,” she insisted. “I invited you, and besides, it’s a business expense.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You too. For keeping me in the loop regarding the naked body. I appreciate it.”

  “I’m trusting you to keep things to yourself until we have something to go public with.” He stopped just outside the restaurant with her. Heat burned in his eyes. “You planning on being home tonight?”

  She cocked her head, studying him. “Yeah. I’m taking a break in my busy social schedule. Why? You have something in mind?”

  “Thought I’d drop by about nine if that’s okay with you.”

  Immediately, the pulse in her cunt beat a heavy tattoo and her nipples stiffened. Every muscle in her body clenched. “Nine would work for me.”

  “Good. See you then.” He started to walk away then turned back and flashed a grin. “I still don’t like reporters.”

  “I still don’t like cops,” she shot back at him.

  “Got it. See you at nine.” He strode away with his loose-hipped gait.

  Jinx just stood there and laughed. How had she gotten herself into this, anyway?

  Dillon found a message on his desk to call Charlie Whittaker and was about to pick up the phone when Terrie buzzed him.

  “What’s up?” he asked.

  “You have a visitor, Sheriff.” Her voice sounded strange. “Are you available?”

  He looked at the intercom.

  What the hell?

  Sheila usually just let him know who wanted to see him and he’d tell her to send them on back unless he was really tied up.

  “What kind of visitor?”

  “A woman is here asking to see you. I tried to tell her you were very busy right now.”

  Now he was really curious. Sheila never turned anyone away. She might come back to the office to prep him for someone but never this.

  “Does this woman have a name?”

  “She just said she’s an old friend of yours.”

  Then he heard a voice in the background say, “Tell him Naomi Richardson is here.”

  Dillon’s stomach knotted and bile rose in his throat. Naomi? What the fuck was she doing here? Why wasn’t she in New York?

  His first reaction was to tell Sheila to send her on her away. But knowing Naomi, if she had something to say she’d be like a dog with a bone. Best to get it over with and send her on her way. Fast.

  “It’s okay, Sheila. Send her on back.”

  In less than a minute, a knock sounded on his door. He thought about standing up to greet Naomi then decided not to. He didn’t want her to read anything into simple courtesy or get the idea that he was happy to see her.

  “Come in,” he called.

  She looked much the same as the last time he’d seen her, except perhaps more brittle and with a new hardness about her. Or had that always been there and he’d just never seen it, drawn as he was to her sexuality? Her glossy black hair fell in waves to her shoulders and her makeup looked as if an artist had just applied it. The navy slacks she wore accentuated her long legs and the matching jacket that hit just at her waist was open to show the white silk blouse beneath. To give him a shadowy glimpse of her breasts, no doubt.

  But Dillon’s cock didn’t even twitch at the sight of her. Her betrayal had been so harsh and cut so deep that he doubted he’d ever find anything about her attractive ever again.

  She stood in the doorway and gave him what he assumed was supposed to be a sincere smile.

  “Hello, Dillon. I’m really happy to see you again.”

  “I can’t say the same. What do you want?”

  She stepped into the office and closed the door behind her. “Not even a hello, how are you?”

  He didn’t move from behind his desk. “I don’t really care how you are. What are you doing here?”

  “Not going to ask me to sit down? No problem.” She dropped gracefully into one of the chairs in front of the desk. “I’ll just seat myself.”

  Dillon had to grind his teeth to keep from spewing out every bitter word he’d been storing up since the day she’d betrayed his trust both personally and professionally and waltzed out of town with the man he’d found her in bed with.

  “I’ll ask you again, what do you want? I’m busy.”

  Her smile faltered a tiny bit. “Too busy for an old friend? Too busy to spend some time catching up with each other?”

  He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. “We aren’t friends, Naomi, and I’m not interested in what’s going on with your life now. And I sure as hell don’t intend to discuss mine with you. Why the hell aren’t you in New York, anyway?”

  “I thought I could catch you up on that in someplace more…” her voice trailed off as she lo
oked around, ”…conducive to a personal conversation.”

  “This is as personal as any conversation between us is going to get.”

  Now the smile disappeared completely and an expression of regret mixed with sadness washed over her face. Dillon wondered how long she’d practiced it in front of a mirror to get it just right. He’d learned the hard way just what a consummate actress she was.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I was hoping we could have dinner tonight. Maybe talk about old times.” The smile was back. “Pick up where we left off.”

  Dillon looked at her silently for a long moment, wondering if she’d really deluded herself into believing that such a thing was possible.

  “I’ve managed to forget about those old times,” he said at last. “And I’m busy for dinner. If you want something specific, say your piece and get out of here. I’m busy.”

  Her eyes widened slightly, as if she’d forgotten what a disaster their breakup had been.

  “I was hoping that by now you’d have gotten passed that. When I heard you left the SAPD and took this job I was hoping it was because you’d moved on. Started a new life for yourself and maybe we could have a fresh start too.”

  “Naomi.” Her name stuck in his throat like barbed wire. “It’s a little hard to get passed the fact that someone has broken your trust the way you did. Let’s forget for a moment that when I went to your place and opened the door—with the key you’d given me, by the way—I found you heating up the sheets with the big hot New York producer. That wasn’t the worst of it.”

  “You don’t know how I regret that,” she said in a rush.

  Dillon held up his hand.

  “I’m not finished. You used me to get the inside information on a big case I was working so you could have your so-called scoop. Breaking it early the way you did made us move up our timetable. One of the unfortunate byproducts of that was me getting shot. That’s not something you ever get passed.”

  He saw the moment she realized he wasn’t giving an inch. That she couldn’t get around him the way she used to. The way he’d always let her.