by Sofia Hunt
“Oh, crap. She’s going to make my life a living hell.”
“Hasn’t she already?” Jonah’s eyes narrowed as he watched the tight-ass bitch disappear around the corner of the barn.
“Yes, but this makes it doubly worse. What if she tells the NARA board, or even worse, my father?”
“What if she does?” Riley snapped. She’d obviously hit a sore spot with him.
“I have a responsibility to the NARA. I made a commitment.”
“Did that commitment include celibacy?”
Mitzi chewed on her lower lip. “Not exactly. I did sign a code of conduct clause.”
“There’s nothing wrong with your public conduct. What you do in the privacy of your trailer is not up for debate.” Jonah ground his teeth together. Ethel wasn’t going to ruin what they had going on here, not when they’d just discovered how good it could be.
* * * *
“Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face.” Riley faked a grimace, but he didn’t fool his buddy. Hell, they were both riding that sex-induced wave.
They sat on their horses outside the arena, watching Mitzi gallop hell-bent-for-leather around the arena in the grand entry. Her gold sequined outfit sparkled in the sun and clung to every curve of her delicious body. She might be every man’s wet dream, but she’d become Jonah and Riley’s reality. Her long legs wrapped around the horse’s barrel like they’d wrapped around Riley last night. He shifted in the saddle, his jeans uncomfortably tight.
Jonah swept off his hat and wiped his brow with his sleeve. “Wooo weeee. That little lady sure can ride.”
Riley raised one eyebrow. “She sure as hell can.”
“I had a damn good time last night.”
“And well into the morning.”
“That, too. I’m tired, but Mitzi’s worth it.”
“Yeah, she is.” Riley followed her around the arena with his eyes, loving the way she sat on a horse and went all out riding close to the fence and taking the corners like a racecar driver. No fear in that woman. He found himself smiling like a fool.
“Wipe the drool off your face.”
Riley automatically swiped a hand across his mouth, and Jonah burst into laughter.
“Who do you think left that note for Ethel?” Riley smoothly switched the subject.
The twinkle in Jonah’s eyes faded. “Someone who’s been watching her closely.”
“Yeah, that’s obvious.”
“At least she won’t be sneaking out so easily anymore with both of us in her bed.” Jonah sat back in the saddle.
“Where do you think this thing with her is going?”
“If we can avert disaster with Ethel, I figure it’s going about the same way it did last night for the rest of the circuit.”
“And after that?” Riley shot a sideways glance at his friend.
“There is no after the circuit.” Jonah crammed his hat back on his head and pulled the brim low over his eyes, effectively shading them from Riley’s view. An intentional act if Riley ever saw one. Jonah played the carefree role because to care eventually got you hurt or betrayed or both. People who loved you walked out on you. That’s how Jonah saw it.
Riley didn’t have the disadvantage of Jonah’s crappy childhood. Riley’s parents were still together, through good times and bad, and still in love. Sure, they’d fallen on hard times, and were only a few missed payments from losing the family ranch, but they had each other. Riley wanted a love like theirs. If he couldn’t have it, he didn’t want anything. Up until now, he hadn’t found the woman to share his life with, and perhaps even share with Jonah on a permanent basis.
If Garrison paid them for this job at the end of the circuit, they’d have just enough to get the ranch out of foreclosure, allow his parents to retire, and run the ranch themselves. Their way.
With Riley’s business sense, Jonah’s magic touch with horses, and their combined work ethic, they could make a going concern of it and a comfortable living.
A spoiled, rich girl didn’t fit into those plans any more than two broke cowboys fit into hers.
Sighing, Riley picked up the reins and guided his horse away from the arena fence. A rock settled in the pit of his stomach and squashed the good feelings from the night before.
* * * *
Mitzi paced back and forth in front of her trailer. She’d finished her queenly duties with Ethel shadowing her every step of the way. Even worse, the woman barely spoke one word to her. Mitzi preferred confrontation to a cold shoulder any day. Just get the problem out in the open and discuss it. Normally, she’d provoke Ethel rather than face the silent treatment. This time was different because she didn’t want to face the possible results of such a confrontation. She’d examined every option, from losing her crown and being shamed, to having her father find out, to losing what she’d experienced last night with Riley and Jonah. None of the alternatives were acceptable.
She’d find another solution, a win-win for all of them, even Ethel. She swung her gaze to her friends. Armondo and Tanya sat nearby at a picnic table and sipped beer. Riley and Jonah relaxed in plastic lawn chairs. Jonah leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Riley looked as uptight as Mitzi felt. But then Riley had always been as intense as Jonah was laid-back. Their differences were one of the things she loved about them.
Love? Mitzi stumbled. No, not love. Liked, liked about them.
Mitzi came to halt in front of the group. “We have to do something about Ethel. I can’t handle both her and a stalker.”
“She needs a man between her legs.” Jonah straddled a bale of hay and chewed on a piece of straw.
“That’s your answer for everything, Jonah Yates,” Mitzi chastised him.
“It worked for you, didn’t it?” Jonah’s wicked grin teased her.
Mitzi kicked his shin with the toe of her boot.
“Fuck. What was that for?”
“For being a smart-mouth.”
“I still say Ethel needs a man.” Jonah rubbed his bruised shin.
“I don’t suppose you know the man for the job?” Riley spoke up, an amused grin playing at the corners of his usually serious mouth.
“I just might have the man in mind.” Tanya smiled. Every eye turned to Tanya.
“Who would be that desperate?” Riley shook his head.
“Not desperate but up for a challenge. A real challenge. Armondo’s brother, Julian. He likes them tough to get, and he loves older women.” Tanya looked to Armondo for confirmation.
“Sí, he loves to cure older women of their sexual hang-ups. He especially loves older women with money.”
“She has money. Her daddy left her a pile of it, and they don’t come with bigger hang-ups than that old prune. I’d bet she’s a forty-year-old virgin.” Mitzi was warming up to the idea.
“He’ll lay that Latin charm on her, and she’ll melt.” Tanya smirked.
“Ethel doesn’t melt. She’s made of cold, hard steel.”
“Have you ever seen steel when it gets hot?” Jonah chuckled.
* * * *
“Here she comes, guys. Brace yourself.” Mitzi indicated the door with a nod of her head. The group at her table, consisting of Mitzi, Riley, Jonah, Tanya, Julian, and Armondo, stifled their grins or dipped their heads to hide their faces. Julian, Armondo’s brother, merely studied the woman with acute interest.
“So that’s her?” Julian’s dark eyes sparkled with the challenge of thawing Ethel’s frosty reserve. Julian’s dark Latin looks had turned many a woman’s head when they’d walked into the bar earlier.
“What do you think?” Mitzi watched as Ethel stood in the doorway, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting in the crowded bar.
“She is an intriguing señorita. I see a hidden fire under those layers of clothes.”
“I’m glad you see it, buddy, because we sure as hell don’t.” Riley slapped Julian on the shoulder.
Armondo laughed. “See, I told you. She’s just Julian’s type.”
&
nbsp; Julian nodded his agreement, obviously intrigued and ready for the hunt.
Spotting them, Ethel marched to their table. Displeasure and disgust radiated from her every pore. She huffed like a freight train as she confronted the group.
Dressed in a plain white blouse buttoned to her neck, a simple black skirt, blazer, and practical shoes with no heels, she looked like a prim and proper schoolmarm. Ethel pushed at the glasses perched on her nose. Studying her more closely, Mitzi realized she actually had an attractive face with delicate features and high cheekbones if it weren’t for her perpetual scowl and puckered lips. Her figure wasn’t half-bad either, even covered under layers of fabric.
Mitzi glanced at Julian, who definitely looked interested. He’d already commandeered a chair from the adjacent table and was standing behind it ready to offer Ethel a seat, like the consummate gentleman. The man exuded smooth Latin charm able to melt the coldest iceberg. Mitzi suspected Ethel would give him a run for his money. She’d been frozen so long she’d not be easy to thaw.
Speaking of thawing, her chair was sandwiched between Riley and Jonah’s, their hips and thighs touching hers. She hadn’t slept with either of them since their mind-blowing ménage a few nights ago, but she knew they’d be back in her bed soon. They’d avoided talking about the arrangement, such as it was. Once the circuit ended or her stalker was caught, they’d all go their separate ways. That was the unspoken agreement.
Their temporary situation should have relieved her. After all, no expectations, no foul, no harm when it was over. Just the promise of physical pleasure with two of the hottest cowboys on the circuit. She’d never wanted or asked for more from any of her previous sexual partners. Why should these two be any different?
Only she feared they were different. She enjoyed their company, enjoyed sparring with them, challenging them as they challenged her with their wits and their strength of will. Both men’s strong personalities complimented her willful one.
But what of her father? He’d never approve of one of them, let alone both in her life. If she ever hoped to take her rightful place in the management of her father’s stock contracting business and the family ranch, her relationship with Riley and Jonah must end when the circuit ended. The inevitability of their situation filled her with sorrow, much to her surprise.
Shaking off her melancholy mood, Mitzi concentrated on the drama playing out across the table.
Ethel stood with her hands on hips, lips puckered into a disapproving scowl. She directed her wrath upon Mitzi, not even noticing Julian, who stood a few feet from her. “Why did you leave me a message to meet you at this place?”
Mitzi smiled her sweetest, most charming smile. “Ethel, you’ve been working so hard we thought it’d be nice to buy you dinner and a beverage.”
Ethel’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “This is a bar, not a restaurant.”
“Yes, but they have wonderful food.”
Julian cleared his throat and drew Ethel’s attention. She glanced at him and did a double take. The handsome Latin oozed sex appeal with his exotic, dark looks and midnight eyes hinting of danger.
“Señorita, please have a seat. I’d be honored to serve as your companion this evening.”
Ethel’s stern façade thawed like an ice cube in one hundred-degree sunshine. “Oh, my, I–I–I guess I can forgo decorum just this once.” She sat in the chair he offered her. He slid her chair next to the table and snapped his fingers at the waitress.
“Bring the lovely señorita a glass of your finest red wine and put it on my tab.”
Ethel fanned herself. “Oh my, it’s hot in here.”
Mitzi bit her lower lip, and Riley squeezed her thigh. Jonah hid his face and concentrated on his hamburger as he rubbed her other thigh. Tanya smirked with satisfaction since the entire thing had been her idea, while Armondo sat back and watched his brother weave his magic spell.
Ethel’s eyes grew big, and her face flushed red when Julian leaned close and whispered something in her ear. She lifted a trembling hand and guzzled down half of her wine. So much for being hard to thaw, she’d melted at Julian’s feet once he’d uttered his first sentence.
“Whoa,” Riley said under his breath and winked at Mitzi.
“Unbelievable,” Jonah whispered in her ear.
Even Armondo, who’d no doubt watched his brother at work countless times, blinked as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
The band played a slow, sultry dance. Julian stood and held his hand out to Ethel. “I would be honored, Señorita, if you would dance with me.”
Ethel batted her eyelashes and blushed some more. Mitzi choked. Julian bowed low and kissed her hand. Without further fanfare, his fingers tightened around her hand, and he pulled her onto the dance floor. A few minutes later Ethel’s body was plastered to Julian as if she’d like to crawl under his skin.
“Damn. He’ll have her naked before the night is over.” Riley spoke as if in awe.
“I’d bet within the next hour or less.” Jonah blew out a breath.
“He’s an artist when it comes to older women.” Armondo held up his beer bottle, and they toasted Julian.
One problem solved, now to find her stalker.
Chapter 12
Riley had never seen anything like it. Ethel blossomed under Julian’s attentive flattery over the next two weeks. The woman didn’t look like the same person. She wore her hair down, along with a little makeup, and more flattering clothes. She actually smiled and laughed. She even quit nagging Mitzi, somewhat. At least, she butted out of Mitzi’s private life and only interfered with her rodeo queen duties, which was the woman’s job, after all, even though her constant nagging irritated the hell out of Mitzi
They hadn’t heard a word from the stalker. Riley briefly entertained the likelihood that Ethel might have been the stalker, attempting to scare Mitzi into behaving herself. Now that Julian occupied Ethel’s time, she might have abandoned the ruse. He couldn’t discount the possibility.
Or perhaps, the asshole hadn’t followed them from Colorado to Oklahoma. While Riley hoped like hell that was the case, he knew better than to let down his guard, as did Jonah. They tried to make sure one of them was near Mitzi at all times, which wasn’t always feasible or practical, but they covered the bases as well as they could.
And their nights, damn, he lived for those nights. He and Jonah had shared a few women in the past, but never more than a night or two. Even though minor jealousies reared their ugly heads, the arrangement worked amazingly well. Mitzi, for all her reputation as a superficial, self-centered brat, shared her time equally with the two men in and out of bed, never giving one more attention than the other. Her careful handling of their fragile male egos—her terminology, not theirs—bolstered their confidence in their unusual relationship.
Mitzi continually amazed Riley with her knowledge of horses and ranching. She proved to be much more than a pretty face with her sharp mind and quick wit. Riley respected her opinions and valued their time together, knowing the relationship carried an expiration date.
But he tried not to think about it.
* * * *
Mitzi cherished this brief moment alone with her horse. He’d always been her sounding board, the one steady rock in her life she could always depend on. Riley and Jonah had hurried off to collect their prize money after Mitzi convinced them she could be alone for a half hour.
She straightened Rowdy’s black forelock and pressed her cheek against his neck. “Oh, Rowdy, I wish my life was as simple as yours.”
Rowdy flicked an ear in her direction, an indication he was listening to her woes.
“I think I’ve fallen in love with two men at the same time.” Saying the words dropped the bottom out of her stomach. The admission came as a surprise because she’d been in denial even in her deepest, innermost thoughts.
She loved them?
Heck, she suspected she’d fallen in love with Riley that night over a year ago. But Jonah? How had he crept
into her heart and staked a claim? In all her years, she’d never really been in love with a man. In lust, oh yeah. Even mistaken lust for love a few times, but not like this. Not this soul-deep connection to another person, actually two other people.
Riley and Jonah were as different as they were similar. Jonah laughed and joked his way through life, yet she saw the sorrow and pain in his eyes and wondered who had put it there. She’d wipe away his hurts if she could. Riley brooded and worried about things, but lately he’d been a little more relaxed, especially in bed. He surprised her with his wicked humor and devilish ways. They both strived to reach their dreams of raising and training stock and roping horses. Neither man shied away from hard work.
All her life, Mitzi had played the part of the tough one, out to prove she could do things as well as any man. She dismissed men’s attempts to coddle her or put her on a pedestal. Yet, she liked Jonah and Riley’s protectiveness. They made her feel safe, even with the stalker always hovering in the background like a bad dream. They listened to her ideas, respected her knowledge of cattle, horses, and rodeo. They even took to heart her advice on how to improve their runs or their technique. Mitzi wasn’t used to men respecting her opinions. Most of them considered her a pretty face and a hot body, but not a person. Riley and Jonah changed all that.
“Oh, Rowdy. This is all so impossible. It’d never work out with one of them, let alone both of them. I’m too stubborn, want my way too much.” Rowdy nuzzled her, rubbing his big, soft nose on her shoulder. He blew into her hair, a horse’s way of saying hello.
Footsteps tromped through the barn door. Mitzi heard her name mentioned and crouched down low in Rowdy’s stall. The voices came closer. She held her breath and listened. Her heart beat faster as she recognized the voices.
“Mitzi Garrison has a stalker?” Walter Craig asked his buddy.