He set her down and brushed her nose. “You’re dirty.”
“Yeah, well, it’s dusty out here.” She dragged her hands down her cheek, causing the dirt to streak.
“Or maybe it’s because you ate my dust.” Teasing her was such a high. She had no idea who he was, and it worked in his favor.
She poked him in the chest but didn’t use much force. “You cheated.”
He flashed his sexiest grin and grabbed her horse’s reins. “Don’t need Wind Song taking off.” He tied her next to his horse and returned. If Wind Song decided to head back to the barn by herself, riding double with Mandy would be the highlight of his day.
“I lost because Wind Song was a little stiff. I bet she hasn’t been ridden much.” She stepped closer and titled her chin up. “Maybe you’d consider a rematch.”
Something else was stiff, and it wasn’t any horse. “I’m game.” He leaned close. “Now for my reward.”
His lips were on hers before she could object. She palmed his chest as if to push him away, but then her fingers curled and she grabbed his shirt instead. His cock painfully pressed against his fly.
What are you doing? She was Sam’s employee, not some local girl he’d known since grade school. Damn hormones had blocked his brain from functioning.
He stepped back. “Want something to drink?” His words came out smooth, despite his pulse charging full speed ahead.
She wet her lips as if to savor his taste, and he had to glance away or do something stupid. Mandy was pure temptation.
“Sure.”
He pulled two bottles of water from his saddlebag and handed her one. No sooner had she cracked it open than the rain arrived in earnest. He bet she’d be pissed if she ruined her expensive boots.
“Let’s get under the tree canopy.” Both of them stepped near the large trunk. Vince moved behind her and pulled her to his chest. “At least your back will stay dry.”
Was that the lamest comment ever? He expected her to jump out of his embrace, but she relaxed against him and shielded her face with her hand. He swallowed his groan as he slipped the hat off his head and placed it on hers. The brim nearly poked him in the eye and gave him an excuse to back off.
She faced him. “Thanks.” Her smile had his cock jumping.
He pressed his lips together and gazed at the clouds. “Rain should stop soon. Our storms usually don’t last long.”
“Does it always go from zero to one hundred in a few minutes?”
He wasn’t sure if she was talking about the speed with which the rain came or his lame attempt at seducing her a few minutes after he met her. “No.”
She glanced to the ground and stepped to the right to avoid a building puddle. “So how long have you worked for Sam?”
She seemed determined to find out about who he was. Maybe she suspected he wasn’t being any more truthful about his identity than she was. “Depends on your definition of work.” He invested most of the Callen money. The majority he loaned to churches to help them rebuild or start anew.
“What does that mean?”
He’d have to tell her sooner or later. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Vince Callen, Sam’s cousin.”
Chapter Three
Mandy was so screwed. Words wouldn’t form. She’d flirted and even kissed one of the Callens? From what the women she shared the cabin with had told her, the three older Callen brothers practically owned all of Intrigue. Vince must have been one of their sons. She hadn’t been able to keep track of the entire family, just that three brothers originally owned seventy-five thousand acres. As their children grew, they gave or sold them a portion.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I didn’t tell you on purpose. Most newcomers see a Callen and run. I’m not sure why.”
“Maybe because someone in your family pays us?”
He nodded. “There is that.”
“Do you live on a ranch, too?”
He inhaled through his teeth. “Ranch might be a stretch as I have no cattle, only some horses.” He held up a finger. “I love to ride, but I’m not into working the range. I leave that to my cousins.”
“What do you do?”
From the way his brows pinched, she thought he might be living off some Callen trust fund. “I’m sort of an investment broker.”
The words, investment broker, made her heart hitch. “You run a hedge fund or something?” His job reminded her too much of Craig’s.
“No.”
His short response told her the topic of money was off the table.
A few months ago, she would have loved to discuss financial matters with a man. Now she had a new role—that of a former teacher turned adventure leader. She couldn’t let anyone know about her ex-husband and what he did, in part because the world of the wealthy was a small one. Given the Callens’ extensive influence, it was possible they’d know someone in common.
Vince clasped her arm. “Rain’s letting up. Want to head back?”
“Sure.” Part of her wanted to learn more about him but the other half needed to use a little restraint.
Just as she slipped her left foot in the stirrup and pushed up, Vince’s hands tightened around her waist and lifted her.
The retort of I don’t need help had been on the tip of tongue, but she’d liked him touching her and let it go. “Thanks.”
“Any time, darlin’.”
She swore he exaggerated the last word even more than the first time. Vince Callen was sex on a stick and pure danger to her heart.
On the way back, they trotted instead of galloped, probably because the light rain would have stung. As they neared the barn, the horses picked up speed. Just as they found shelter, loud thunder immediately followed a bolt of lightning.
“Phew, that was close.” Vince jumped off his horse.
She swung her leg over the back of the horse, and Vince was there to guide her down. “I can get off a horse myself, you know.” She didn’t want him to think her incapable.
“I’m sure you can.”
He walked over to the wall, pulled two brushes off the wall and tossed her one. Without saying anything, she removed Wind Song’s saddle and brushed her down. The storm should have lessened by now, but instead its intensity had increased.
When Vince finished, he hung the brush on the hook. “Could you give me a ride home? Collier doesn’t relish riding in lightning storms.” He led his horse to a spare stall. “I’ll get you later, boy.”
She could hardly say no to a Callen, though she suspected he could have asked one of Sam’s husbands to give him a lift. “Sure. My keys are in the bunkhouse.”
“Let me grab a blanket to shelter us.” He picked up the one Collier had used and held it over their heads. She grabbed the other end. “Ready?”
She nodded. “As ever.”
The man seemed determined to prove he was capable of running the hundred-yard dash in under ten seconds. With one hand on the blanket and the other around her waist, he practically dragged her the several hundred feet to the bunkhouse. The whole thing was quite ridiculous as they were already completely drenched. A few more drops wouldn’t have mattered.
As soon as they reached the overhang, she gasped for breath partly from the run and partly from laughing.
“I’d invite you inside, but I doubt the women would appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
“Be right back.”
The bunkhouse was air-conditioned, and goose bumps immediately surfaced on her arms. So as not to get her car seats drenched, she removed her T-shirt and tossed on a long-sleeved one. The pants would have to stay. She grabbed her purse and keys. Vince was right where she’d left him.
She wiggled her keys. “Ready? I’m parked in back.”
Once more Vince held the blanket over their heads. This time, they jogged instead of sprinted. She placed the key in the door to unlock it, when Vince’s hand grasped hers.
“I drive,�
� he said.
Her first instinct was to decline, but then he’d have to give her directions. “Sure.”
He followed her to the passenger’s side and waited for her to slide in before returning to the driver’s side. Craig never would have done that.
Her used car didn’t have four-wheel drive, nor did it have good shocks. It jarred every bone just getting down the long Callen drive. Once on the pavement, she relaxed.
“You live far from here?” Small talk sucked, but it was better than silence.
“Not far. All of the Callens live on adjacent ranches. The spreads are large, so we’re between five to ten miles apart.”
She whistled. Her large home with Craig sat on an acre, which by Denver standards was big. A chill raced through her and she shivered.
Vince slipped the heat lever to medium. “Don’t want you to catch cold.”
Then she’d have to stay in bed and rest a few days. “Couldn’t have that.” She hadn’t asked about sick days or even health insurance.
Lightning lit up the sky in the distance but the storm was too far away to hear thunder. The dark clouds cast ominous shadows on the ground she found strangely beautiful. Lone trees appeared to be survivors in this harsh land.
Vince shot a glance at her. “How do you like Wyoming so far?”
His question implied she didn’t come from the state. Sticking as much to the truth as possible would keep her from slipping up. “It’s too soon to tell, but I’ve liked everyone I’ve met.” Including you.
He pulled down a short drive. “Here we are. Home, sweet home.”
She didn’t expect something so large. No houses were near. “I thought you didn’t own a ranch.”
“I don’t. A ranch has cattle and horses. I have a barn and that’s it. As for land, it comes with being a Callen. The thousand acres is small by their standards.”
His property still impressed her. The two-story, white house had a porte cochere he pulled under. The sound of the driving rain lessened. The stone path spilled out onto a large porch with cozy rocking chairs and hanging flowerpots. It looked like a grandmother lived here.
“Has this house been in your family?”
He laughed. “Mocking my chairs, are you?”
Caught. “No. Most bachelors don’t build huge houses like this.” It looked to be at least six thousand square feet.
Oh, shit. Maybe he wasn’t a bachelor but a relative of Sam, who’d asked him to show her around.
He pushed open the door and ran to her side. He pulled hers open before she’d regrouped. Vince held out his hand and she let him pull her to a stand. He’d left the keys in the ignition. Should she thank him for the wonderful outing and drive back?
“Come inside. I want you to meet my roommate, Cameron Longworth.”
So he wasn’t married!
Why would he want her to meet him? Her stomach clenched at the rich-sounding name. It reminded her of Clairbourne. He held open the front door and she stepped inside.
The living room was large but anything but sterile. Maybe it was the mismatched chairs and sofa along with the pine coffee table that had the appearance of all comfort and no pretense. The wall-to-ceiling windows looked over his ranch to the mountains.
“My mother has been begging me to redecorate. She said no woman would live in a place like this.”
“Are you kidding? I love it.”
“I picked out most of the furniture, which is why nothing matches.”
It didn’t matter. Everything was modern and high-end. This home was totally inviting.
He stepped to the stairs. “Hey, Cam? Got company.”
Vince turned back. “How about some hot tea?”
“Sounds great.” Though it was July, the rain had chilled her.
He walked through a door and she wasn’t sure if she should follow or wait here. Sitting wasn’t an option as her butt was too wet.
“Hello.” A deep rumbling voice sounding like a combination of thunder mixed with dark chocolate floated down the stairs.
She turned around. For the second time today, her pulse sped up. What was with Intrigue and hot men? Where Vince had light brown hair, Cam’s was as close to black as one could get. It served to frame intelligent green eyes, full lips that were made for kissing, and a brow ridge that gave him a mysterious air. He was about an inch shorter than Vince and slightly beefier.
Say something. “Hi. I’m Mandy.” She stuck out her hand.
His grip was strong and lingered longer than normal. “A very wet Mandy, I see. Cameron Longworth, but my friends call me Cam.”
That fit him.
His gaze shot to her breasts, and she looked down. Dear God. Even though she’d put on a dry shirt, her drenched bra had bled though. She’d kept all of her Victoria’s Secret underwear. Now she could see that had been a mistake.
She stepped back and crossed her arms.
“Here’s your tea, Mandy.” Vince handed her a cup. “I see you two have met.”
Cam sat on the sofa. “Sit for a bit and tell us about yourself.”
Vince waved his beer. “Don’t worry about getting the seat wet. Happens all the time.”
She chose a dark chair. A water stain wouldn’t show as much. She’d anticipated the expected background request and was ready with a story close to reality.
“I taught third grade in Denver for a few years. Budget cuts caused the class size to increase and on top of that, the teacher staff was cut. I was new and they laid me off.”
Cam’s brows furrowed. “Intrigue is always looking for teachers.”
In truth, she’d love to find such a job. “Problem is, my teaching certificate isn’t good here.”
“Maybe you should look into private schools.”
She hadn’t thought of that. “I might.” The first place Craig would look for her would be the school system.
Cam leaned forward. “You coming to Juliette’s third birthday party this weekend? The whole family and staff are invited.”
“Whose child is Juliette?”
He raised a brow. “She’s Sam’s daughter.”
Several children ran around Sam’s house, and she couldn’t tell who belonged to whom. “I have no other plans. Sounds like fun.” She brought the tea to her lips and drank it down, warming up her insides.
Vince grinned. “Yahoo, darlin’! I hope you brought a suit, because the pool will be a hopping place.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She didn’t want to overstay her visit and stood. “I should be getting back. No telling if Crystal needs me to do something.”
Cam’s cheer had disappeared. “So why did you leave Denver? Why not find another job there? Wyoming is a harsh land.”
His sudden change in demeanor surprised her, but she might have misinterpreted his comment, so she answered his question with the truth. “It was the only offer I got?”
Cam looked up at Vince. “Will you excuse us?” He stood. “Vince may I speak with you in the kitchen?”
Vince winked. “We’ll be right back.”
Oh, shit, they hadn’t bought her story. Now what?
* * * *
Cam strode into the kitchen and wanted to hit something.
Vince spun and faced him. “What’s up?”
Cam charged and shoved him. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Keep your voice down.” Vince backed up a step and held up his hands. “What are you talking about?”
“Who is she?”
Vince leaned against the counter as if he could deflect the question with ease. “She works for Sam.”
“What do you know about her?”
Vince’s stare hardened. “Other than she’s hot? Not much. You did the background check. What did you find?”
He checked all new hires, but his cursory search didn’t bring up any red flags. Without a picture attached, he had no idea she could be a double for Sharon, the woman he’d almost married. “Did she tell you she was married?”
Vince s
wallowed. “Married? Fuck.” He stepped forward. “I kissed her. How did you know?”
“Look at her ring finger.”
“I did. It’s bare.”
“She’s got a tan line.”
Vince got in his face. “That means nothing. What is your beef anyway?” He poked his chest. “Mandy isn’t Sharon.”
“I know.” He’d moved on from her. “Even you can see this one is high maintenance, though. She must be after the Callen money.”
Vince moved back and smiled. “Is that all what this is about? You think she’s trying to horn in on the Callen fortune? Mandy is not a gold digger. You’re confusing her with our, I mean, your fiancée.”
“You are so wrong. Sharon and Mandy may both have the same length brown hair, but that’s where the resemblance ends.”
“I’m not the one claiming they look alike. You are.” Vince laughed. “Holy shit. You’re attracted to Mandy, and you’ve known her what, all of two minutes? Are you scared you’ll fall as hard for her as you did for Sharon?”
“You’re way off base. Admittedly, both women are beautiful and have an air of sophistication I find attractive, but I know the difference between them. This one”—he nodded toward the living room—“is here under false pretenses. I can smell her lies.”
Vince strolled to the fridge and grabbed another beer. “Just because Sharon took your credit card and two-carat diamond ring and ran off, you assume all women are like that?” He swigged a large portion of the contents. “Get over it. It’s a done deal.”
Was he judging all women by one woman’s actions? Shit. He couldn’t be that shallow. He prided himself on judging people without prejudice, though Sharon had shaken his world. He thought she loved both him and Vince, and he’d been wrong.
Vince stood there grinning. “Why aren’t you upset?” Cam asked. He stabbed a hand through his hair. “She dumped you first.”
“Ouch.” Vince shrugged. “I thought she was the one, too, but I made a mistake. Shit happens. I moved on.”
He still hadn’t come to grips with the woman he thought he’d marry racking up twenty grand in purchases as if it didn’t matter. “Maybe you can get over the loss of a loved one in a month, but I can’t.”
Diamonds and Spurs [The Callens 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3