by T. J. Kline
“Tell me what?”
Scott motioned toward a chair. “Have a seat. You’ve probably been listening to the whole conversation anyway.”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Mike chuckled as he sat down. “Well, Sydney? What do you say?”
“What exactly would I be doing?”
Mike leaned forward in the chair as the band started to tune their instruments, making it more difficult to hear. “It really depends on where we are. At the rodeos, you’d be in charge of taking care of all the pick-up and special-event horses. You know—warming up, cooling down, watering, feeding, exercising, that sort of thing.”
“Is that all?”
“Hell, no! You’d have to work with Scott and fill in wherever he needs you—flags, acts, opening ceremonies. And that’s no small task, trust me.”
Scott shifted in his seat. He hoped the evening shadows were hiding the frustration he was feeling. He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms.
“What about during the off season, or when we aren’t at a rodeo?”
“You’ll be managing all of the riding horses at the ranch. Everything from exercising, breaking, grooming, training, breeding . . . the works.”
“How many head?”
Scott was impressed that she seemed to ask all of the right questions, but he refused to let it show. He pretended to stifle a yawn. Mike shot him a warning look.
“About thirty. Of course, you’ll have a few of the hands to help you whenever you need it.”
Scott noticed that Sydney ignored him completely, focusing completely on Mike. It made sense, since he’d already stated his feelings about the situation, but it annoyed him anyway.
“Mike, I think you have yourself a new employee.” Her smile lit up the room.
“Terrific!” Mike boomed over the band that had just started to warm up. The bass drum began to pound out a steady beat.
“Yeah, great,” Scott grumbled. “Where is she going to stay?”
“In the ranch house. Where else?”
“What?”
“Oh, I don’t want to impose,” Sydney protested.
Why stop now? Scott thought.
“Nonsense,” Mike decided. “You’ll stay in the house with us.”
“Us?” she asked.
“Us,” Mike answered. “There’s me, of course, Silvie, Jen, Clay, Derek, and Scott.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, finally glancing over at Scott.
“It’s decided,” Mike insisted.
“She’s gonna need a mount. You might want to figure that out now too,” Scott reminded Mike.
“What about Valentino?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
Mike chewed on his thumb for a moment. “I’ll make you a deal.”
Sydney glanced at Scott. “What is it with you two and deals?”
“You could change your mind,” Scott offered.
“I’ll trade you food, shelter, and expenses for your stud in exchange for ten breedings during the season.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal,” she said as they shook hands.
He knew it was out of his hands now so he might as well get adjusted to her being part of their crew, which meant learning to get along with her. Scott watched Sydney; her eyes lit up with excitement at the thought of her new job. A few stray auburn curls fell over her shoulders, softly framing her face, accentuating the curve of her breasts, and Scott felt that electric warmth shoot through him again.
“Are we done talking business?” Scott asked. His voice sounded strained even to his own ears.
“I believe so.” Mike speared the last of his tri-tip with the plastic fork. “Why?”
Scott rose and held a hand out to Sydney. “Dance with me?”
She seemed surprised by his sudden change in temperament, but her smile looked genuine as she wordlessly took his hand and followed him onto the dance floor. He twirled her before curling an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. As she lifted her face to meet his gaze, he noticed that her eyes had melted to liquid amber. She fit his body better than her dress fit her own. This has to be the sweetest torture, he thought.
AS THEY BEGAN to sway to the gentle rhythm of a slow country ballad, the intensity of the desire she could read in his dark gaze made her knees weak and her breathing shallow. Yet, she couldn’t tear her eyes from his and break the spell he’d woven around her. She could feel his every muscle taut against her body as they slowly moved with the music. He smelled of musk, horses, and leather, intoxicating her.
Scott pulled her closer and she gasped as his hand slid from her waist across her back. Silvery heat raced through her body, causing her to shiver and curl her fingers into his shoulders. A quiet growl escaped his throat.
“What?” she whispered, barely breathing. Scott shook his head in answer.
The final strains of the song came to an end, but he seemed unwilling to let her go. Sydney realized it was probably better if he didn’t, because she wasn’t sure she could stand. The band began to play a fast-paced song.
“Do you know how to swing?” His eyes glinted mischievously.
“Sort of.” She’d only done it once with Chris, and not well.
“You’re about to learn.” Scott laughed as Sydney eyed him with distrust.
He proceeded to lead her through a pattern of twirls, turns, spins, dips, and even a flip. A crowd circled them while they danced, and when the song ended, people around them began clapping. Both of them were laughing breathlessly from the physical exertion.
“You want something to drink?” he asked.
“I would love a glass of water,” Sydney replied gratefully. She watched him walk away, appreciating his physique, until a large cowboy stepped in front of her.
“You’re the rodeo queen, right?”
Sydney politely smiled. “What gave it away, the crown or the sash?” she asked sweetly. The guy smelled so strongly of whiskey that Sydney wondered if she wouldn’t get drunk off of his breath.
“Good, let’s dance.”
“I don’t think . . .” She never got the chance to decline his offer as he pulled her by her waist onto the dance floor.
SCOTT RETURNED WITH their drinks to witness Sydney trying to extract herself from the grip of a large, not to mention very drunk cowboy on the dance floor. He watched her push against the guy’s chest, hoping to throw him off balance, but instead he leaned on her for support, staggering to the music. Scott’s jaw clenched as he saw the man slide his hands from her waist to her firm bottom. Sydney grasped at the cowboy’s hands, trying to pull them from her.
Normally, Scott would never allow a woman to be manhandled, but he stood his ground, hoping that this would make Sydney realize that she couldn’t handle every cowboy she came across. Maybe this would be the event that would change her mind about taking the job. His intentions went out the window when he saw the foolish cowboy move his hand from her waist to the underside of her breast. An emotion he refused to acknowledge as jealousy enveloped him, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep from knocking the man to the floor.
“Mind if I cut in?” He could see the relief in Sydney’s eyes.
“Yeah,” the cowboy said. “Get lost.”
Scott saw Sydney’s plea for help and knew exactly how to handle this guy. “Tell you what, why don’t you take this and go buy us a couple of beers, on me. You can have her when you get back, okay?” He handed the cowboy a twenty. “Keep the change, too.”
“Now, that’s a deal,” he slurred, taking the money from Scott’s outstretched hand.
As the cowboy let go of Sydney’s waist, Scott pulled her behind him slightly, protecting her in case the cowboy changed his mind and punches were thrown. The cowboy left without further comment, heading directly to the long line at the makeshift bar booth, and Scott turned to face the woman behind him.
“You’re welcome,” he drawled.
“For what? You promised me to him when he brings you back a drink.” She shook her head.
“Yeah, you were a big help.”
“If he comes back, then he’s never seen your temper.” Scott laughed as her eyes flashed angrily. “He’ll forget about us and drink that twenty by himself.” He wound his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Come on.”
Scott swayed with her on the dance floor as the male and female lead singers sang a duet about loving one another and their passion. Scott scoffed at the thought of love in the romantic sense, but in this moment, with Sydney’s soft curves pressed against him, he could understand how desire could fuel passion.
“Scott,” she whispered.
“Hmm?” He looked down at her, but she was staring at the base of his throat.
“Thank you.”
Scott chucked and tipped her chin so she had to look him in the eye. “See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?”
She bristled and pulled away from him. “If you think this is all so funny, then why did you help me out at all? You could have stayed over there and laughed at me.”
Scott pulled her back into his arms. “Because, princess, that guy had a few ideas for you in mind and they didn’t include dancing.” Hell, he was entertaining a few of them himself, he realized. He watched the blush creep into her cheeks as his words sank in, making her appear more vulnerable. He was almost disappointed when the band began to play an upbeat rock song and he had to release her from his arms.
AFTER THE INCIDENT with the drunk cowboy, he’d refused to let her leave his side, although he was sure that decision would lead to all kinds of speculation. He’d already seen Mike’s knowing smile and a similar look on Sydney’s mother’s face while they’d danced. They could all think what they wanted; this was nothing more than an experiment, he reminded himself.
“Tired?” Scott asked as the night wore on.
They stood near the tables, sipping their drinks as the band took a final break before their last set. “A little,” she admitted. “It’s been a long day.” She glanced at him demurely. “You see, the arena director is sort of a monster and he was on my case all day.”
“And I’m sure you’re an angel to deal with, right?”
“Of course,” she answered innocently.
“Tell you what,” Scott promised. “One last dance, and then I’ll take you home.”
“I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” she agreed as the band opened with the first notes of “I Will Always Love You.”
Scott pulled her close to him and he felt the now-familiar desire for her spreading as his fingers slid along her spine. She curled her fingers along his shoulders and he wished she didn’t have to wear the cowboy hat and crown so she could lay her head on his shoulder. He could feel her breath gently brushing his neck as he inhaled the musky scent of her perfume, trying to ignore the way her breasts brushed his chest. He could feel the heat radiating from her body and wondered if he wasn’t on fire himself.
As their bodies moved in time with the music, the friction only served to fan the flame already threatening to blaze out of control. He sighed in pleasurable pain as her fingers tickled the curls at the base of his neck, brushing his already too-sensitive skin with her fingertips.
“Sydney,” he whispered.
“Hey! I thought you said I could have her back!” Scott looked up at the cowboy who’d taken his money and disappeared, furious at the interruption. He edged Sydney behind him, knowing that the guy was even more inebriated than he’d been earlier.
“Where’s my beer?”
“Wha . . .?” The cowboy looked confused in his stupor.
“It’s okay, the lady and I were leaving anyway.” Scott placed a hand at Sydney’s back and started to walk with her toward the front gate.
He’d half-expected the shove that came from behind, but it still made him stumble forward a few steps. “I think I’ll take her home.”
Instantly, a crowd began to surround them at the prospect of a fight. Scott spun around and dodged the first awkward swing from the cowboy, which caused him to stumble into the crowd. As he righted himself, Scott saw that Sydney had realized what was happening and stood frozen. The cowboy came at him again, this time tackling him like a football player, knocking him backward. Luckily, Scott had sobriety on his side and was able to twist quickly enough to throw the drunk man to the ground.
“Enough! Before security breaks this up, you idiot. I said, we’re leaving.”
“Whatever,” the cowboy slurred from his seat in the dirt.
Scott turned back to Sydney as the crowd began to disperse and head back onto the dance floor. “Let’s go before anything else . . .”
His words were cut off as a hand on his shoulder jerked him around and a solid fist connected with his jaw, knocking him backwards a few steps.
“That’s for my buddy!”
Without hesitating, Scott rushed the assailant, grabbing him by the collar, and shoved the cowboy against the railing of the short fence of the exit gate. “We are leaving.” Scott recognized one of the approaching security guards as part of the rodeo committee he’d worked with and motioned him over. “Can you escort us to the truck. These guys don’t seem to want to let us leave.”
The guard took one look at the situation and recognized the arena director and the newly crowned rodeo queen. “Sure thing. You”—he pointed at the cowboy Scott had just released—
“You might want to get lost and hope he forgets what you look like if you plan to ride one of his bulls tomorrow.” The cowboy disappeared into the crowd as quickly as he had appeared.
Scott led Sydney to his truck silently and unlocked her door. Walking around to the driver’s side, he lectured himself. It had been years since he’d gotten into a fight. As a matter of fact, the last fight had been over Liz, he recalled. So much for proving his theory wrong. If nothing else, this just proved how much Sydney Thomas was like Liz, including how easily and quickly he’d allowed her to get her hooks into him—enough that he would get into a fight over her.
Scott climbed into the truck and sat rigidly in his seat. Clipping the belt, he refused to look at her.
“Scott, are you okay?”
“Fine.” He was determined not to let her affect him. He turned the key and the engine roared to life. Sydney took her hat off and scooted closer, laying it on the seat near the door.
“Then why won’t you look at me?”
He turned to face her, just to prove her wrong. He realized it had been a mistake as soon as he saw the worry in her golden eyes.
“You’re mad at me.”
He saw the vulnerability in her eyes and wondered momentarily how he could really think she was like his ex-fiancée. Scott cupped her cheek and ran his thumb across the velvety skin. “I’m not mad. I just didn’t expect to get into a fight tonight.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
She returned his smile. “I’m sorry. I really am.” She touched the bruise already darkening the side of his jaw.
“Maybe you’ll just have to kiss it.”
She leaned back against the seat. “You seem fine,” she teased as he pulled out of the parking lot.
SCOTT PULLED INTO her driveway and turned off the truck. Sydney had slipped off to sleep during the drive, her head against his shoulder, and he wasn’t ready to wake her just yet. He stared down at her. Tonight had been an odd evening. No matter how he tried, he was having a hard time coming up with ways to even compare Sydney to Liz. He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek, amazed at how peaceful and innocent she looked. He brushed his thumb across her full bottom lip and wondered what it would be like to kiss her. She seemed so vulnerable, part of him wanted to completely forget what Liz had done and just trust that Sydney was exactly what she appeared to be. Then again, Liz had been a pro, acting vulnerable and sweet to get what she wanted, too. He felt like he was at war with himself, part of him wanting to trust Sydney and another part denying her authenticity.
He slipped his arm around her shoulders, shifting so that she lay against his chest, and traced her cheekbone
before letting his hand slide down her neck to her collar where her dress began. She sighed softly and spread her fingers on his chest. Scott looked down, expecting to see her golden eyes burning into his own, dark with passion. Instead, he found her asleep.
He couldn’t resist the temptation any longer. Cupping her face, he gently pressed his lips to hers. He slid his tongue along her lips before slipping past the barrier of her small, even teeth to encounter the sweetest honey he had ever experienced.
ONLY HALF-CONSCIOUS, SYDNEY marveled at the passionate dream she was having. She’d been wondering all night what it would be like to kiss Scott. At least in her dreams she didn’t have to worry about the repercussions of following her desires. She gave herself completely to the kiss. Her pulse raced as she touched her tongue to his and felt herself tremble. Instinctively her hands found his neck, her fingers finding their way into the curls at his nape. She shivered as he blazed a path of burning kisses along her throat to her collar.
She let her head fall back to the headrest behind her. Headrest? Sydney blinked, realizing that this was not a dream. She instantly stiffened in Scott’s arms. Oh my God, what have I done? Scott lifted his gaze to meet hers, and the blazing desire she saw there took her breath away. As if she had thrown a bucket of ice on him, his gaze hardened.
“So my theory was right, after all.”
“What?” she asked, breathless.
Scott sat up, leaving the truck to open her door. “Save it, Sydney.”
“Scott,” she began, unsure of what she could even say about her behavior. How would she even begin to explain?
“You know,” he said as he climbed back into the driver’s seat and started the truck. “You’re pretty good. I almost bought your act, but not quite.” He dropped the truck into reverse and left her to stare at the taillights as he disappeared into the night.
Chapter Four
* * *
“SYDNEY,” ALICIA CALLED. “That’s your cue.”
Sydney tapped Valentino’s sides, giving him full rein to circle the arena with the sponsor flag snapping sharply in the April breeze. She exited the arena, cursing herself for not keeping her mind on the rodeo. She couldn’t stop replaying what had happened in Scott’s truck. Mike had even asked if she needed a break. As she made her way to drop off the flag at the trailer, she saw Scott leaning on his saddle horn, watching her intensely. His black eyes flared with raw desire for a moment before they clouded over. She was almost convinced that the bright sunlight was playing tricks on her.