Texas Fire

by Gerry Bartlett

  She lifted her hand then and placed it right over his heart. “I’m sorry.”

  “What for? You apologizing for being a woman? It’s in the genetic code, baby. You’re all alike. You lure us in with your bodies that won’t quit, and then there’s your smell.” He inhaled and almost swayed. “Jesus, the smell of a woman is the one thing they can’t bottle. It’ll drive a man to his knees every time. Like you had King on his knees last night. Right there in the hall. He was begging you for it, and you just, what, put him off until you fell asleep in his arms? Like you couldn’t even be bothered to stay awake for him.”

  “I’m sorry you’ve been hurt, but don’t take it out on me, asshole.” She shoved him then.

  Caught off guard, his feet flew out from under him and he hit the water. Just like that. He came up sputtering. At least he’d left that expensive satellite phone back in his room at the ranch house. His wallet, too. So all that was hurt was his pride. He sat there—the water was only a foot deep—and glared at her. She was laughing, of course. So much for sympathy. Something in his eyes must have warned her, because she started backing away. Not fast enough.

  “No, Rowdy.”

  “Yes.” He vaulted out of the pond to grab her around the waist. Then he walked her right into the water, which got deep pretty fast. He threw her in, happy to see her come up spitting. When she stood, the silky shirt she’d worn to dinner clung to her body, leaving nothing to his imagination. Not that he needed to imagine what was under there. He’d seen her this morning in that see-through white thing she’d slept in. Tonight she wore a skimpy white bra underneath the silk and they were both transparent. Her nipples were dark and pointing right at him, begging him to come closer. Before he could stop himself, he’d taken a step.

  “No, Rowdy.” She said it again. Clearly she saw something in his eyes. Her hands were up by the time he got there. “This is a bad idea.”

  “I know it.” He touched her then. God, she felt good.

  Her eyes closed. Bad idea. She knew it, too.

  He slid his hands over the silk and held those breasts, feeling the shape of them, savoring the pressure of her hard, and soft against his palms.

  “Don’t you dare kiss me.”

  She sounded breathy, as if she couldn’t think straight, talk right, work this out in her head. He was right there with her.

  “I always take dares.” He pulled her up until her body was flush against his. Holy shit, but it felt right. Even wet, they seared each other, her arms coming naturally around his neck so that they were molded tight. He leaned right while she took left and their mouths clashed. Hunger fired through him. He was pretty sure it was blazing through her, too. It had been building, and now they finally let it go. Rowdy staggered in the water, his hurt foot in wet tennis shoes landing funny on a rock and knocking him back on his butt. Didn’t matter, he wasn’t letting her go.

  She didn’t release him, either. She straddled him, her knees on either side of his hips, and he knew she could feel how much he wanted her. He was ready to rip open his jeans and hers and do something about his long, hard abstinence right now.

  Megan pulled back, panting as she looked down at him. Her mouth was swollen, and she looked well kissed. Then she glanced behind him while the water lapped at his chest and her eyes widened. “Oh God, I hear something. Horse.” She dragged herself off of him and struggled out of the water. “It’s got to be King.”

  Rowdy lay back until his face was covered with cool liquid. Pain. He deserved it. What had he been thinking? He knew Megan Calhoun wasn’t for him. And now he’d be found in a situation that could bring them all a world of hurt. He came up and wiped off his face with both hands. He wasn’t a coward and couldn’t let Megan face King Sanders alone. So he dragged himself out of the water, too, shaking off like a dog. He was just in time to face the rancher as King rode up.

  “What the hell happened here?” King slid off his horse. “Megan? Baker? Did I interrupt something?” He looked from one of them to the other, his eyes hard. “This explains a lot.”

  “No, don’t jump to conclusions, King.” Megan had found a blanket in the saddlebag on the back of her horse and wrapped it around her. “I fell in. Rowdy jumped in after me.”

  “I’m not stupid, Megan.” King wasn’t calling her “sugar” this time. “That tank isn’t more than five feet deep anywhere. You didn’t need rescuing.” He got back on his horse. “I’ll see you back at the barn. The lawyers say the drilling continues. My contract is solid. So, I expect both of you to be gone in the morning.” He turned the horse and rode away.

  “I hurt him.” Megan leaned her head against her own horse. “For real, this time.”

  “Maybe what happened is for the best. You said you didn’t love him. Stringing him along wasn’t kind.” Rowdy didn’t touch her. “I wanted a couple of more days here, but we can leave tomorrow. Vince has his drilling sites in good order. I really don’t need to do any more inspecting. Today’s accident was a onetime deal and that man’s fault. The other site has gone almost a year without an accident, too. So I’m going to give Vince a pass on the other site near here that we haven’t visited yet.”

  “All right, then. I’ll pack and we’ll leave first thing in the morning.” Megan faced him, her eyes swimming with tears she didn’t let fall. “We need to forget that kiss, Rowdy. You know it’s not a good idea . . .”

  “You’re right. We have to work together.” And he could fill in the blanks. Rich owner, employee. Karen had said it best—it came with complications. Rowdy knew that. King Sanders was out of the picture, but that didn’t mean there weren’t a few other men in Megan’s league who would line up to fill his spot. He shivered as a gust of wind hit his wet clothes.

  “Let’s go.” Megan gave him one last look before she mounted her horse without help.

  Rowdy just watched her, wishing he could say something to take that look off her face, as if she’d lost a friend. Of course she had. “I’m sorry if I messed things up for you. With King.”

  “No, you’re right. I needed to finish things with him. Not like this, of course, but before we left here. I’ll try to talk to him. Let him know you and I . . . Aren’t. But I’ll make it clear that I’m not going to be his, either. You may not believe me, but I told him from the beginning that I just wanted to be friends. He wouldn’t listen. Yes, he put his hands on me. I guess I wasn’t rude enough to him about that.” Megan stared down at him.

  “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Megan.” He mounted his horse.

  “So, we’re headed to San Antonio tomorrow.” Megan started her horse moving.

  “Yes. I’ll send a text that we’ll be getting there sooner than expected. I need to straighten out our reservation anyway. Someone made a mistake. I usually stay at the same low-budget motel there, but they’ve got us booked into something on the River Walk. It’ll cost the company a fortune.” He rode beside her down the trail.

  “No mistake. My sister made the arrangements. She texted me, too. We’ll be staying in style. It pays to know the acting chief financial officer.” Megan laughed, but he could tell it was forced. “We’ll be in a two-bedroom suite while we wait for our trailer and truck to be ready. Let’s hope it takes days or even a week.”

  Rowdy couldn’t hope for that. San Antonio on the River Walk. It was one of the most romantic cities in Texas. Hell, maybe in the country. He hadn’t traveled much, except to Afghanistan with the army. He and Cass had splurged on a weekend in San Antonio once. They couldn’t afford one of the fancy hotels on the river. But their budget digs had been within walking distance of the bars and restaurants there. It had been a great weekend and one he should definitely not be remembering right now, especially since he was still trying to come down from a kiss with Megan that had stirred him to life in a big way. He shifted in the saddle, trying to get comfortable.

  “Well, tonight proved one thing,” Megan said as they neared the lights of the house and barn.

  “What�
��s that?” Rowdy pulled his thoughts back from that hot kiss in the pond, and that long-ago sex-filled weekend, and back to the present.

  “You’re definitely recovering from Cassidy.” With that, she urged her horse into a trot and left him in her dust.

  Rowdy just watched her go. Damn, but he was in trouble. How was he ever going to survive a year with this woman? He’d thought losing Cass had hurt. Now he was getting his head filled with dangerous thoughts about another Calhoun sister. There was no way this could end well. Workplace romances were never a good idea. And with one of the owners of the company? God, he had to be out of his fucking mind to have ever touched her at all.

  A smart man would harden his heart, maybe play the player. At least build walls too high for her to climb. But that kiss. Their second one—but who was counting? Obviously he was. Damn him for a fool. He couldn’t stop replaying the way she’d looked coming out of the water, as good as naked. And her taste . . . He needed a cold shower and a reality check. He wasn’t a kid, desperate to get laid. And fantasizing about a woman he couldn’t, shouldn’t, have was stupid beyond belief.

  If there was one thing he’d always prided himself on, it was his problem-solving skills. Time to put those to work on this situation. It wouldn’t be simple, but he was going to have to figure out a way to let go of this fascination with Megan Calhoun. Mind over matter. Logic. He was an engineer, damn it. He could do this. A chart, a spreadsheet. Surely there was a way . . .

  He saw Juan waiting by the barn door and checking his watch. Rowdy urged his horse faster. He was keeping the man from his bed. Too bad they’d be leaving the Rocking S in the morning under a cloud. But he was glad to go. At least he wouldn’t have to watch King paw Megan anymore. That thought had him smiling as he rode into the barn. Yes, one problem out of the way. His competitive edge had always driven him. Now he could check that off as no longer an issue. King Sanders. Done.

  * * *

  “King, please talk to me.” Megan leaned against his door. She knew he was in there. She’d heard noises through the wall, like maybe he was throwing things. Now that she had showered and changed, she knew she couldn’t go to sleep until she tried to mend things with him. He didn’t deserve what had amounted to a slap in the face when he’d ridden in on that scene next to the pond.

  The door suddenly opened, and she almost fell into his bedroom.

  “All right. I’m listening. What do you have to say, Megan? Get in here. I don’t want Abuela to hear about this. She really liked you.” He didn’t sound like he wanted to hear it, but a chance was a chance.

  “What you saw—”

  He cut her off with a gesture. “I said come inside.” He pulled her into the bedroom and shut the door. “Don’t bother making up a story. I know what I saw. You and Baker obviously have something going on. I was a fool to not pick up on it before. The fact that he turned down my sister was a red flag.” King leaned against the door. He wore jeans and nothing else. Did he think she’d be tempted by his blatant masculinity? Another woman might be.

  “There’s nothing between Rowdy and me.” Megan didn’t like being in King’s bedroom. “Can’t we talk in the living room? Or outside?”

  “Here is fine. Say what you came to say, but don’t bother lying to me.” He wasn’t budging and his hurt was clear to see. He’d convinced himself that he loved her. “For the record, I don’t believe you. Didn’t look like nothing to me.”

  “Okay, we kissed. Big deal. I’ve kissed a few men. More than a few. It’s chemistry. Got out of hand. But never went further. Never will, either.” Megan ran a hand through her hair. It was still damp and would be unmanageable tomorrow. Concentrate.

  “So you’re kissing the guy whom you’re going to be working with for the next year. I know where that will lead. Have at it, Megan. I get the message. If you and I were going to turn into something, you wouldn’t be kissing anyone but me.” King stalked over to his bed and sat on the side of it.

  Megan followed him, but kept her distance. “That’s the point, King. You and I aren’t going to turn into something. I know that’s what you wanted. I told you up front that I didn’t see us together, even though you did your best to tempt me.” She looked around the room. He had a big bed in a masculine bedroom that was done in burgundy and dark brown. The padded headboard was brown velvet, the comforter a dark print. He’d obviously emptied his bookshelf with a temper tantrum. There were books all over the floor.

  “That obviously didn’t work. Not if you’d already decided to play with the hired help.” King sounded bitter. And why not?

  “King, I’m really sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. You’ve been wonderful to me. Letting us stay here and being so kind.” She sat beside him and put her hand on his knee. “I am stupid for not taking you up on your offer. You’re just too good for me.”

  “That’s a pile of shit. ‘Too good’?” He grabbed her hand. “That sounds like an excuse.”

  “You don’t really know me, King. Yes, we used to hang out together in Houston, but that was a while ago. I’m a mess. I never stick with things. I have family problems I really can’t share, but they are nothing you want to be involved in.” Megan wiggled her fingers when he just held them tighter. “And I’m not in love with you.”

  “I can make you love me, Megan. Stick around and you’ll see.” He tried to kiss her, but Megan finally wrenched her hand out of his and jumped up and away from him.

  “Stop. You know love doesn’t work that way.”

  “Are you sure?” He stood and looked down at her. “Don’t you see how perfect we’d be together? We have the same kind of background. Abuela approves of you, and you have no idea how far that goes with me. And you’re good with horses, a rider. All these things make us fit. Imagine the kind of life we’d have.” He ran his hands up and down her arms. “Maybe you aren’t feeling our chemistry right now, but I’m feeling enough for both of us. Let me take you to bed and show you how I can make you feel. I can make it good for you. Give me that chance.”

  “King, no. I’m sorry. Now, I have to go.” She hated the fact that she had to shove herself away from him. But honestly, she’d felt more chemistry in that kiss with Rowdy than she’d ever felt with King. And no matter how many months passed, no matter how hard either of them tried, she knew it wasn’t going to happen with this man standing in front of her, even if she wished it would.

  King looked at his hands. “If you have anything else to say, go ahead. I’m tired. Of this conversation and of being played for a fool.”

  “You’re not a fool, King. You’re a fine man, an honest man. And I respect you. Thanks for letting us stay here.” Megan walked to the door. “I’m sure we’ll run into each other in Houston. I hope you’ll remember that I did want us to be friends.” She eased out of the room and shut the door. She would never forget the look on his face as she left him. She bit back a sob and staggered into her own room. How had she let this get so out of control? Rowdy had accused her of encouraging King. She tried to remember every conversation, every touch. Was it her fault? Didn’t matter. She’d have to live with it now. Hurting him. And she would see him again. They ran with the same crowd when he came to town. She lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. But maybe they wouldn’t after this year was over. Maybe Megan Calhoun wouldn’t run with the country club set ever again. Somehow she didn’t feel too broken up about that.

  Chapter 10

  “The trailer will be ready tomorrow. So, this is our last night in San Antonio.” Rowdy hung up the phone and collapsed on his comfortable king-sized bed. Forget the rest of the city. He’d never stayed in such a nice hotel. After several days of overseeing the RV prep and making sure the truck they were getting had what they needed, he was tempted to just plant himself in the bedroom and watch the big screen. Hell, he might even go wild and help himself to a beer from the minibar on the company dime. He’d let Megan go her own way, and they’d seen little of each other until now.

  “Too bad, but ju
st as well. Lucky must be anxious to see us again. The vet says he’s healthy. She gave him all his shots and everything he needs. We can pick him up in the morning on our way out of town.” Megan stood in the doorway. She’d left him a note this morning about some spa treatments her sister had scheduled for her in the hotel. Now she glowed from a facial and some kind of massage with hot rocks.

  “Glad he’s healthy, but I bet that’s going to cost a bundle.” Rowdy knew it would be a problem bringing the dog without a license into the fancy hotel, even though it did allow pets. The concierge had been glad to help them find a vet who could take care of Lucky during their stay.

  “Expensive? I didn’t have the nerve to even ask. But it had to be done. Now, get up and let’s go. I’m not wasting our last night here.” She stood over him. “There’s a great Mexican restaurant close to us on the River Walk. I’m starved, aren’t you?”

  “You want to go now? The Aggies are on the ten-yard line.” He wasn’t about to leave until he saw if they scored.

  “You can watch football any time. That spa lunch they brought me upstairs wasn’t much more than a lettuce leaf and a piece of grilled chicken so tiny I had to get out a magnifying glass to find it.” She moved closer and poked his shoulder. “Come on. I need real food. Tex-Mex. There’s some of the best just a short walk away. It’s the least you can do for me before I’m dragged out to the back of beyond.” She dove for the TV remote, but he hid it behind his back. She put her hands on her hips. “Rowdy! Are you listening to me? I need to enjoy civilization while I can.”

  He did a fist pump when his team scored. “Civilization. Okay, I get it. I can leave now that the Aggies made another touchdown. No way those Sooners can score twenty points with only two minutes on the clock.” He pulled the remote from under the pillow behind him and killed the TV after the kicker made the extra point. “Make that twenty-one. Yeah. I’m hungry, too.” Rowdy swung his legs off the bed. “We haven’t seen much of each other the past few days. I guess you’ve stayed here on the river before.”