Lone Heart

by Delilah Devlin

  Drew’s expression turned bleak.

  Lonny kept his expression neutral. “Buddy, I’d say she’s not that into you.”

  Drew’s lips drew away from his teeth. “I should kick your ass.”

  “But you won’t. You want her happy. Tell you what—this ain’t a competition, and it’s too soon to know whether there’s something lasting here for me. But I promise you, I won’t push for more than she’s willing to give. And I won’t leave unless she asks.”

  Drew nodded, his expression closing. “Maybe she just needs a change.”

  “Think if she takes a walk with me, she might appreciate you more?” Lonny grunted. “Don’t count on it. Now, don’t we have some cattle to move?” He kicked his horse into a canter and left the foreman behind.

  Drew seemed like the decent sort, but he was holding out for something that might never happen.

  Lonny knew from recent experience that sometimes a woman needed choices. If Charli was holding on to her grief, she needed something to shake her free. He might be the man for the job.

  The memory of how she’d melted, albeit reluctantly, beneath his resolute seduction told him how ready she was to let go. But with Drew under the same roof, things would be complicated. He wasn’t willing to sneak around and didn’t want her feeling guilty about hurting the other man.

  Well, he had work to do—and some thinking. In the meantime, he’d get to know her better, see if his instincts were right.

  How strange was it that nearly the moment he’d decided he needed a woman in his life, there stood a woman who needed him just as much? The fact they had rubbed sparks off each other the moment they met had sealed it. Every cell of his body had come alive the previous night. He couldn’t wait to crawl inside her body again and make love to her until they were both spent. Not because he wanted to satisfy himself.

  Even that first night, he’d been strangely satisfied pleasuring her.

  He wasn’t the heroic type. Didn’t believe in denying himself a thing. Fact was, he knew he was spoiled so far as women were concerned, which made his actions the night they’d met seem more prophetic. He’d been attracted from the moment he’d laid eyes on her.

  Her large, doe eyes had taken one look at him, and he’d noted a hunger there that matched his own. Her slender body had molded to his, melting ever closer the longer he’d held her, as though she didn’t have the strength to fight the attraction either.

  When he’d pulled her closer, and she’d rested her head against his shoulder, he’d felt an ache build inside his chest. He needed a woman to cleave to him, and him alone.

  Last night, he’d made two mistakes. One he wasn’t the least bit sorry about because going “coatless” had felt too damn good. But she hadn’t been ready for that kind of passion. Her body needed it, but she was too quick to label it a one-night stand—something she didn’t mean to repeat.

  After he’d made his crass pronouncement, that it wouldn’t be the last time they fucked, she’d been quick to pull away.

  He’d watched her dress, keeping silent until her hand was on the doorknob. When she’d glanced back and said, “I haven’t changed my mind about a damn thing,” he’d felt empty.

  Maybe she thought what she’d allowed to happen was in reaction to discovering Drew had needs, too. Maybe she thought she could wrangle her heart, get control of her libido, and redirect it to Drew. They made sense as a couple. Even he could see Drew would be the better choice.

  However, last night had only honed his interest in her as sharp as a knife’s edge.

  He’d shared Honey with True, and then had to step back. This time, he wouldn’t share. This time, he’d take his happiness and selfishly lock it in his grasp.

  That is, if what he suspected was there really existed. He might have to take his time with Charli—and patience wasn’t one of his virtues. But before he brushed the Oklahoma dirt off his boots and headed back home, he’d make damn sure this wasn’t where he truly belonged.

  Chapter 4

  Lone Wyatt. His name alone exposed feelings like raw nerve endings she didn’t want to admit existed.

  At first, Charli had thought “Lonny” suited him better. However, the more time she spent around him, the more Charli wondered if his mother had sensed something about her child when she’d named him, or if he’d been shaped by the name and grown into it.

  On the surface, he was a flirty cowboy, easy with his smiles and clever quips. Despite Drew’s initial reservations, the younger cowboy was winning him over, too.

  For one thing, Lonny knew what the hell he was doing, and nothing he did was ever a half-assed effort. Lazy, he was not.

  She just wished he wasn’t quite so comfortable in his own skin.

  It was her problem, she knew, this hypersensitivity to everything about him, but he didn’t have to make it impossible for her to ignore their attraction.

  Like now. Did he always walk around half-naked?

  Drew and Lonny had worked all morning putting in new fencing along the edge of a deep arroyo. She’d worked in the office, paying bills, filing receipts, and generally trying to stall the moment she had to join them to help with the labor.

  She’d arrived just after noon with the sun beating down on her head through her straw hat. There was little shade from spindly mesquite trees. Stubborn tufts of buffalo grass edged the banks of the dry creek bed. The fence stretched the length of the arroyo then shot across the burned grass pastures.

  The men had nearly finished setting cedar poles into the ground. Drew was tying in a fresh roll of fencing. Lonny was digging the last of the holes with the posthole digger.

  When she’d reined to a halt, she’d nearly fallen out of her saddle because her horse turned its head, blocking her view, and she’d leaned a little too far to keep staring.

  Lonny stood, legs braced apart, his back bare and gleaming with sweat. Every time he plunged the digger into the hole, the muscles in his shoulders and back rippled. His backside was tight, rounded with the strain, and she knew if she weren’t so thirsty, she’d be swallowing down drool, because the man’s ass was a sight to behold. Everything about him made her nerves sizzle and spark.

  Her horse shifted beneath her, intruding on her thoughts. Thankfully so, because Drew was striding toward her, his brows quirked. She dismounted, hoping her cheeks weren’t red with embarrassment.

  “You come bringin’ lunch, or are you here to check out the new fence?”

  The wry note in his voice told her he’d caught her checking out a sight more than the strings of barbed wire.

  She wrinkled her nose. “I brought cold fried chicken and leftover cornbread. Good enough?”

  “Nothin’ sweet?”

  She grinned, knowing he’d be disappointed if she didn’t feed his sweet tooth, too. “There’s a bag of Tootsie Rolls at the bottom of the saddlebag. Think I’d forget?”

  “I don’t know,” he murmured. “You’ve had a lot on your mind these past few days.”

  She didn’t reply, wondering how awkward this was going to be.

  He took a deep breath. “Lots of sugar in the tea?”

  “You bet.” She gave him her warmest smile, because he deserved it and she loved him.

  His gaze swept her face then he glanced away. “Charli,” he said softly. “I won’t stand in the way.”

  She cleared her throat. “In the way of what?”

  “Whatever makes you happy.”

  She stared down at her dusty boots. “I don’t know what’ll make me happy, Drew. I just know I haven’t been for a long, long time.”

  His glance locked with hers, and he gave her wink. “Which is why you should just go for it, darlin’.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “You tryin’ to get me laid?”

  “Someone has to do the job.”

  She blinked at him, taking in his one-sided smile, and then chuckled. “Do I know you at all?”

  “Yeah, you do. Friends forever, right?” He grabbed the saddlebag, flipped
it open, and pulled out a plastic container and a sealed plastic jar of tea before dropping the saddlebag to the ground. “Go feed your cowboy. He’s been workin’ me to death today.”

  “Really?”

  “I can’t tell if he’s always that focused or if he’s tryin’ to get me to call uncle first.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “You’re not in your twenties anymore.”

  “Might be that, too.” He winced. “Go feed him. I’m gonna find some shade and rest a bit. Take your time.”

  She watched as he ambled off to sit in the shade, wondering if he’d decided to let go because he’d found someone else, or because he was ready to stand aside for her to grab for happiness. Whichever reason, she wasn’t going to feel guilty any longer. They’d had their shot.

  She picked up the saddlebag and headed toward Lonny, who’d set aside the digger and was watching her from beneath the shaded brim of his hat.

  His glance swept her entire body then came up to rest on her face.

  She didn’t slow her pace, but she couldn’t help it if her hips swayed a little more deeply in response to the banked heat of his gaze. “Hi, cowboy.”

  “Ma’am.”

  Charli gritted her teeth against the sudden flare of arousal that swept through her at his sexy drawl. “Told you more than once to call me Charli.”

  He stripped off his gloves and grinned. “Charli. That better?”

  Hell no. Didn’t really matter what he called her. Any time he spoke directly to her, she wondered whether his voice sounded that exact same way with every woman he’d taken to his bed—husky and warm.

  She shook her head and straightened her shoulders. “I brought lunch. Thought I’d lend a hand to string the last of that wire.”

  “Drew and I have it handled.”

  “I’m quite capable—”

  “Didn’t say you weren’t,” he said easily, giving her another disarming smile. “But I’ve been bitten by a barb or two. I wouldn’t want your pretty skin scratched.”

  “I don’t mind a scratch. I’ve had my tetanus shot…” She slowed down when she saw his mouth twitch. “Does everything have to be about sex with you?” she whispered.

  “Sorry. Can’t stop thinking about it—where my hand was—the way your nails dug into my a—”

  “Stop!” She shoved her hand into the saddle bag.

  “Do I keep you up at night? I’ve seen the light under your door. You as restless as I am?”

  She thrust out a plastic container, hitting him in the gut. “I brought chicken.”

  His grin widened. “Yeah, and cornbread. I heard. Join me?”

  She was set to blurt no, but he tsked. When he sat cross-legged on the ground, she lowered herself as well. She burrowed into the pouch for a Coke and cupped it in both hands to give her something to grab other than him.

  “Relax,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “Promise I’ll behave. I’d just like some company. Somebody who smells better than I do.”

  She couldn’t help it. She sniffed. “You don’t smell—not bad, anyway.” When one of his brows arched in amusement, she realized he’d increased the sense of intimacy between them again. “How do you do that?”

  “Make you think about what it would be like when we get sweaty together?” He shrugged. “It’s a gift.”

  Charli set the unopened Coke to the side. “What will make you stop? You do know this can’t go anywhere, right?”

  “Says who?”

  Suddenly breathless, she didn’t respond. She’d been asking herself the same damn question. Why couldn’t they work? He was younger but not so much anyone would raise an eyebrow. Maybe she didn’t take him seriously because he was so handsome. Someone who looked that good had his pick of women. She was just convenient.

  He leaned closer—so close the brims of their hats nearly touched. “Give me a weekend,” he said, his voice a deep, seductive rumble. “If I can’t convince you there’s something between us, I’ll back off.”

  “Not gonna happen,” she whispered, even though her body reacted with emphatic approval, weakening her knees and her will.

  “Drew mentioned he’s going to an auction this weekend…”

  Something she already knew but had difficulty thinking about, because it opened a slew of sexy possibilities. “He’s not taking you with him?” she asked, pretending nonchalance.

  “Said he’s done it on his own before. He doesn’t need me.” He reached out a hand and cupped her knee. “Come on, you can let down your hair. Have some fun.”

  Have some fun. She didn’t know why those words sent a sharp jolt of disappointment through her. Was she really stupid enough to hope for more?

  Charli stood and brushed off her jeans. “With Drew gone, you’ll be busy. Don’t make any plans. I’m not interested.”

  “Liar.”

  She walked away, shivering with anger. She picked up the reins of her horse, swung up into the saddle, then nudged her mount into motion.

  As she passed the mesquite where Drew sat, finishing his lunch, she leaned down. “I’m not a project, Drew. I don’t know what you think you’re doin’, throwin’ him at me, but I’m not havin’ it—or him.”

  Drew’s expression was unreadable. “You need someone, Charli. He’s not a bad sort.”

  “I don’t need anyone. I didn’t place that ad to find a cowboy to keep me company. I needed someone to help us keep this place afloat.”

  His steady gaze stared back. “Fine. I’ll stay out of your business. But I’m still goin’ to Abilene by myself. I need a little time alone.”

  Since she didn’t know how to respond, she pulled the reins to the side and turned away, heading back to the ranch house. She passed Lonny again, who sat with his back against a gnarled tree now. She refused to read anything into the determined angle of his jaw, although she had the sinking feeling he’d already set his mind to seduction.

  She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Excited, a little sick to her stomach. Her hands shook, but she tightened one around the reins while resisting the urge to press the other against her belly to still the nervous quivers.

  The night she’d let go of her reason and her inhibitions haunted her every time she escaped to her room after dinner. Sitting across the table from Lonny was pure torture.

  His green eyes had a way of looking at her that seemed to take her measure and find all her weaknesses. And she knew she was weak when it came to resisting his allure. While she and Drew chatted about their day, Lonny remained silent except when Drew asked him a direct question. And at the end of every meal, he’d praise her cooking, saying something that would harken to their encounter and send color burning in her cheeks.

  “I’ve never tasted muffins quite that good, ma’am. You add some special spice?” Innocent enough if anyone else had said it to her, but the laughter in his eyes made her body tense and her pussy throb with want.

  Lonny Wyatt was a flirt with very naughty intentions. She’d wondered how Drew hadn’t seen it, but maybe he had after all. Maybe he hadn’t put a stop to Lonny’s wicked taunts because he’d seen how she reacted—not with anger, but desire.

  Friday morning, Charli shut the trailer door then strode around to side of the truck. She stepped up on the truck rail, grabbed the bottom edge of the window, and leaned inside. “You’re all set? Got the credit card?”

  Drew rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom. I have the card. I’ll call tonight to let you know I got there safe.”

  “You’ve got deposit slips?”

  He patted his shirt pocket. “As soon as the sale’s over, I’ll hit the bank. Stop worryin’.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You’re antsy. And I bet I can guess why,” he drawled.

  They hadn’t spoken again about the fact she’d be alone with Lonny, but the subject had hung over their heads like a thundercloud all week. There was no use trying to deny the obvious. “Seriously, why are you tryin’ to hook me up with him?”

  Drew wrapped his fingers ov
er hers and gave her a squeeze. “Darlin’, I’ve had some time to think. We didn’t work, Charli. We weren’t supposed to. We’re too much like brother and sister.”

  “That may be, but why would you think it might ‘work’ with someone like Lonny Wyatt?”

  Drew shrugged. “Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. But Daniel wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone.”

  Charli rolled her eyes. “This weekend isn’t about finding someone to spend my life with, Drew. He’s not gonna stay.”

  “Maybe he’s just someplace to start.” He cupped her cheek then ran his thumb across her bottom lip before letting it drop. “Let go, Charli,” he said, his voice soft. “Have some fun. I sure as hell am.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

  His grin was quick. “One of the auctioneers hit on me the last time I was there. Said she’d take me to dinner the next time I came to town.” His gaze dropped to where her fingers still hugged the rim of the window. “Now, you’re keepin’ me from my date, and she’s not the kind to wait around.”

  “You tellin’ me the truth?”

  Drew crossed his heart. “Swear.”

  Charli gave him a smile then leaned through the window and kissed his cheek. It had been the first time she’d offered him one since the they’d slept together. She’d felt too awkward ever since.

  He chuckled and set the truck into gear. “Now, unless you’re plannin’ on bein’ a hood ornament, you need to hop on down.”

  She jumped to the ground and watched as he pulled away. Guilt faded as she realized he’d meant it. He really did want her to move on.

  Turning back to the house, she walked slowly. One weekend, Lonny had said. To let down her hair. Have some fun. Drew sure wasn’t pining for her. She thought she knew which auctioneer he was talking about. A sassy, fast-talking redhead. Tall, well-built.

  Charli smiled softly, thinking about quiet, thoughtful Drew holding on to the tail of a red tornado.

  She picked up her pace, her footsteps lighter than they had been. She’d been worried about him, about whether he still carried a torch. Maybe he never really had. Maybe he’d thought she needed taking care of like she had when Daniel died.