A deal with a sexy cowboy devil...
The wallflower, and the least “pretty,” of the five Ozark sisters, Ashley desperately wants out of this one-limping-horse town. Determined to prove to her bestie that she’s not the same old Plain Jane she was in high school, Ashley tells the biggest, fattest lie ever. She has a boyfriend, and it’s bull rider Colton Cross—overconfident, sexist and irritatingly sexy cowboy extraordinaire.
Colton’s willing to go along with Ashley’s lie—for a price. Because after a few mind-meltingly hot kisses with Ashley, Colton’s figured out there’s a sexy side to Ashley Ozark that no one ever suspected. As each “payment” becomes naughtier than the last, Colton and Ashley discover just how far one little lie can go...one wild, wicked encounter at a time.
“There’s only one reason a woman wants a fake boyfriend...”
“To make her friends jealous.” Colton waited a half second, his eyes glued to Ashley’s. When she didn’t move, didn’t shove, didn’t object in any way, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.
This was not the kiss she’d expected.
This was slow. Leisurely. Like he enjoyed getting to know her mouth. Like he wanted to explore her lips, the inside and outside of them. Not to mention deep inside her mouth. His big hand cupped the back of her head and he tilted her—gently—one way and then the other, as he slanted his mouth over hers. When he finally pulled away, she was left, lips parted, panting.
“That ought to do it.”
She blinked once, twice, three times before coming back to herself, suddenly cluing in to the fact that the whistles and catcalls were because of the show they’d put on.
Oh, shit.
What had she done?
Dear Reader,
Have you ever done something completely out of character? Acted (or reacted) spontaneously in a moment of passion, fear, joy or anger? What was the repercussion of that act? Did it turn out okay? Did you regret it? Did it take you down a path you never thought you’d ever take?
Personally, I’ve never done anything out of character...
Yeah, right! Of course I have. Everyone has. For example, there was this scuba instructor I met while vacationing in the Philippines... What should have been a simple holiday fling turned into me moving to Berlin with him on a whim... Ahem. Crazy, right?
Did it work out in the end? No. Do I regret it? Nope. Not one bit, because while we weren’t a forever match, I learned so much about myself through that relationship.
In Wild Seduction, Ashley Ozark does something in the spur of the moment, too, something wild and crazy, something completely out of character. Does she regret it? You bet. At least at first because accidentally making out with the least likely man possible and pretending he’s her boyfriend challenges everything she believes about herself, her hometown and the type of man she wants as a lover. Does her impulsive act turn out okay? Well, you’re just going to have to read to find out!
On that note, I hope you enjoy Wild Seduction and fall in love with Colton Cross as much as Ashley does—even if she doesn’t want to. I love to hear from readers, and I would love to hear some of your stories. Just drop me a line to say hi at [email protected].
Happy reading!
Daire St. Denis
Daire St. Denis
Wild Seduction
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Daire St. Denis is an adventure seeker, an ancient history addict, a seasonal hermit and a wine lover. She calls the Canadian Rockies home and has the best job ever: writing smoking-hot contemporary romance where the pages are steeped in sensuality and there’s always a dash of the unexpected. Find out more about Daire and subscribe to her newsletter at dairestdenis.com.
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Excerpt from Conquering the Cowboy by Kelli Ireland
1
EVERYTHING LOOKED BETTER behind the lens of a camera. Ashley Ozark focused on a group at the end of the bar, and the shutter of her Canon EOS 5D Mark III made a delightful swish as she captured a head thrown back in laughter, a sardonic look from a friend, another face shadowed by a cowboy hat and a fourth wiping his brow. She smiled, happy with the result of the image, a conversation between friends and rivals, so intimate she almost felt like she’d overheard it.
She knew those men, rodeo boys, probably egging each other on, making bets, relieving tension before the county fair and rodeo this weekend.
A sharp-nailed, rat-a-tat-tat, on the top of her head made her lower the camera.
“Ouch.”
Her older sister, Beth, stood to her side. “You’re supposed to be helping bartend tonight. Not spending the entire time behind that camera.”
“I’ve been hired to take pictures by the County Fair Committee. I’m just doing my job here.”
“Yes, and you’ve also been hired to tend bar tonight.” She indicated the long line of patrons waiting to be served. “By our father, I might add, who is also on the Fair Committee.”
“Okay, okay.” Ashley sighed, tucking the camera away into its bag and storing it under the counter. “I got some great candids in here.”
“I’m sure you did.” Beth tossed an apron at her head, but Ash caught it before it hit her face. “Now put that on and get to work.”
“Tyrant,” she muttered.
“You got that right.”
“Bully.”
“Exactly. Now get to work before I kick your ass.”
“Like you could.”
With a grin, Ashley tied the apron around her waist and lifted her chin at the next person in line, indicating she was ready to take their order. While she helped out at the bar on the odd occasion because the Prospector Saloon in the Gold Dust Hotel was owned by her family, it really wasn’t her scene. She preferred her quiet job at the flower shop, Heart’s Bouquet, down the street. However, during the county fair it was a given—all hands on deck. That meant all five of the Ozark girls were required to help: she and Beth behind the bar, Brandi on the floor and the twins, Zoe and Chloe, in the kitchen. This year it was even more imperative because it was Half Moon High’s Centennial celebration, so they expected more out-of-towners than normal. Based on the crowd tonight, it was an accurate assumption.
Ashley was happy to help. It
meant extra dough, both working at the saloon and taking pictures, and every penny she made was going toward her Get-the-hell-out-of-Half-Moon Fund. So she plastered on a smile and kept the cold ones coming. Already the bar was standing room only, even though the festivities didn’t officially start until tomorrow. The din from people talking and laughing was so loud, it drowned out the sound of the band. That was until her sister Brandi got up on stage between songs and grabbed the mic.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” she bellowed and yet still managed to sound sultry in a way that only Brandi could with her practiced, husky voice.
People stopped talking and heads turned—or at least, every male head turned, like a flock of sheep.
Baaaaa.
“For those who are visiting, welcome back to Half Moon Creek. We’re so pleased you were able to come to the rodeo and fair this year and to celebrate Half Moon High’s Centennial Celebration. We’ll be kicking everything off Friday morning—Oh, my God! That’s tomorrow, already—with a parade followed by the rodeo and opening of the fair grounds. Don’t forget to pick up tickets for Saturday’s big formal banquet. Tickets are still available at the front desk and...”
“Sweetheart?” came a voice from her left. “A little help here. I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes and...”
Ashley spun toward the deep voice. She turned up the volume on her smile when she saw who it was. Colton Cross. Figured. The cocky, bull-riding cowboy was exactly the kind of person who would think it was okay—no, not okay—he probably figured she’d be flattered by him calling her sweetheart.
“Well now, honey baby. What can I get for my sugar pie?”
“What?” Colton mouthed the words sugar pie with a look of confusion on his unfortunately handsome features.
“Oh. I’m sorry, sweetie, aren’t we on a ‘terms of endearment’ basis?”
“Umm...” Colton’s brows drew together so close they formed one line across his forehead. “Ahh...whatever you say, darlin’. Can I get two pints of Beaverhead draft and an order of nachos—”
“You did not,” Ashley said, leaning across the bar. This was exactly why she couldn’t wait to leave Half Moon. Macho rodeo jerks like Colton Cross.
“I did not, what?” He asked slowly.
She rolled her eyes. “Call me darlin’—”
Oomph.
Beth elbowed Ashley out of the way.
“Hey, Colt,” Ashley’s oldest sister said with a genuine smile, while inconspicuously giving Ashley a side kick to the butt. “Don’t mind my sister. She’s weird.”
“She’s your sister?” Colton said, looking back and forth between Beth and Ashley and then glancing over his shoulder at Brandi who was still on stage talking animatedly about some of the highlights of the weekend.
“There are two more of us hiding out around here, somewhere.” Beth gave a vague wave toward the kitchen. “Five Ozark girls in total.”
“Wow. I did not know you two were sisters.” He glanced at Ashley again, who was openly scowling at him because, seriously, the fact that Colton Cross had no idea who she was only confirmed her opinion of him: self-centered, chauvinistic, thickheaded...oh, she could go on. Egomaniac, cocky, disgustingly good-looking...
“Didn’t you two go to grade school together before you moved?” Beth asked.
“Yep.” Ashley said the word, short and clipped, giving him the coldest look she could muster. By the way he tilted his head to one side and then the other as he gave her a quick once over, she knew he had no recollection of her. Zip. No memory of Valentine’s Day in fifth grade when she’d gone and made him a special Valentine and he’d repaid her by spitting in her hair later that day in the playground. Didn’t matter that her family had known his family for years or that ever since he’d returned to Half Moon a few months ago to help his brother out at his guest ranch, he’d been the talk of the town. Well, the talk of the female population, anyway.
“Oh yeah,” Colton said slowly, covering up the fact he couldn’t place her. “Nice to see you again... Bren-da, right?”
Nice try, hotshot. “It’s Ashley.”
“Right. Now I remember.”
As if.
She poured the beer and slid the frosty glasses across the bar. “Tab?”
“Yes, please. Oh, and about those nachos...?”
She nodded and, without another word to him, rang in the order and then began serving the next customer in line.
“Try to be a little nicer,” Beth whispered in her ear.
“I am nice,” Ash said through clenched teeth.
“No, you’re ornery.”
“So?”
“So, the nicer you are, the more tips you make.” Her sister eyed her apparel and sighed. “It doesn’t hurt to flirt a little either, which would help because that outfit isn’t doing a thing for you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the vote of confidence,” she muttered beneath her breath.
Once Beth turned her attention to the next customer, Ashley glanced down at her well-worn jeans and T-shirt with the slogan Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History. It was one of her favorites. Plus, it could be interpreted as flirty, couldn’t it?
“Boo!”
It took Ashley a few seconds to recognize the woman who had jumped into her line of sight. Not because she didn’t know her—she had been Ashley’s best friend for her entire high school life—only because she hadn’t seen her in five years, and Jasmine Sweet was the last person Ash expected to see tonight.
“Jazzy?”
Her friend waved her arms in the air. “In the flesh!” She squealed, hopped up onto the bar—which was a maneuver that did not jibe with the designer clothes she was wearing—slid across to the other side, hopped down and enveloped Ash in a bear hug, making Ash’s eyes water from the combination of the fierceness of the embrace and the floral perfume that floated around Jasmine like the sweet scent of honeysuckle on a summer’s eve. Or...like a cloud of gnats before a rainstorm.
Ashley patted Jasmine’s back until the woman finally let up, stepping back and smiling down at her, which was odd because she and Jasmine had always been the same height.
Short. Or, fun-sized, as Jasmine called the two of them.
“Look at you! You haven’t changed a bit,” Jasmine gushed.
Ashley was going to say, “Neither have you.” But it would have been a lie. Jasmine had changed since she’d managed to escape Half Moon a week after graduation. She’d always been beautiful, but now she looked different. She was sophisticated, with her expert makeup and hair pulled back in a chic ponytail. Ash realized the height difference was due to a pair of red, high-heeled shoes that perfectly matched Jasmine’s designer handbag. Her clothes were clearly expensive—tailored black capris and a sheer sleeveless top in white that accented her dark skin tone—simple and elegant while still being sexy.
She was the same old Jasmine, only improved—vastly—with age.
“You look amazing,” Ash said, wiping her suddenly sweaty palms on the front of her old jeans. “What are you doing back here?”
“What do you mean?” Jasmine’s dark eyes glowed with excitement as she glanced happily around the bar. “I’m here for the same reason everyone else is. To see old friends and to celebrate the centennial, Half Moon style!” Her laugh was infectious, as always.
“Wow.” That’s all Ash could come up with, still in a state of disbelief by Jasmine’s unexpected arrival.
“How long has it been?” Jazz asked before holding up a hand to stop Ash from answering. “No, wait, don’t tell me, it’ll only make me feel like a terrible friend.” She leaned close in order to whisper in her ear, “We have so much catching up to do.”
“Yeah,” Ashley murmured, smoothing her own haphazard ponytail, awkwardly.
“But first—” Jasmine took i
n the lineup of patrons waiting to be served “—you look like you could use a little help behind the bar.”
“Oh, no,” Ash protested, assessing Jasmine’s outfit and deeming it too put-together to be worn by a bartender in a busy saloon where it would undoubtedly get messed up. “Really, you don’t need to do that.”
“Did someone just offer assistance?” Beth sidled over, grinning broadly as she inserted herself between Ash and her friend.
“Beth!” Jazz squealed and gave Beth a hug.
“Was Ash surprised?” Beth asked.
Ashley blinked at her sister. She knew Jazz was coming and didn’t tell her?
Beth read her thoughts—as only Beth could—and said, “Jazz called to say she wanted to surprise you.” She winked. “By the expression on your face, I’d say Jazz got you pretty good.”
“She sure did. Wow.” Ash cringed internally. Really? Was that all she could come up with? Wow?
Slinging her arm over Jasmine’s shoulder, Beth said, “And you are even more gorgeous than ever. Seriously, Jasmine, what’s your secret?”
“No secret. Chicago agrees with me, I guess.” Waving her hand at the crowded bar, she asked, “Please, tell me I can help back here.”
“Of course you can.”
The next half hour was a blur of pouring drinks and taking orders and trying to keep all the bar tabs straight, but with Jasmine’s help, things went more smoothly and the tip jar was soon filled to overflowing. It didn’t hurt that Jasmine knew pretty much everyone and chatted them up in typical Jazzy fashion, as if she truly cared about each and every one of them.
Through it all, Ashley only spilled two drinks, one on herself and one on Jasmine.
“Oh, my God,” Ash cried, trying in vain to wipe the beer off Jasmine’s blouse. “I’m so sorry. This is probably really expensive.”
Jasmine only laughed as she took the cloth from Ash and blotted the stain in an equally ineffective manner, probably because the cloth was covered in beer, too. “It’s no big deal. Hazards of the job, right?”
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