She was making his task difficult but he wasn’t about to give up.
Control. Stay in control.
Just soften her up a tiny bit, get her to see things the right way.
His way.
And without making promises—with his mouth or body—that he had no intention of keeping.
He moved toward the hot flames, making a point of slowly brushing against her. Just a light touch to keep them connected.
When she stepped up beside him, a tentative smile played across her lips but there was nothing hesitant about the motion of her body. Every inch of her cried out for his touch. Her graceful arms, her swollen breasts, her slender waist. And most of all her mouth, warm and inviting.
“What is it, Lang?” she asked, gliding her fingertips across his forearms. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”
He stepped back, needing the distance to keep himself from touching her. “This place means a lot to you?”
“Sure it does,” she nodded, her expression open and trusting, still simmering with untapped heat. “It’s everything.”
“But why, when you could be doing whatever you want?”
“I need a challenge, a chance to see what I’m made of.” She set her hands on her hips and stared ahead. The flames made her hair shine, her skin glow. Tight longing coiled through him as she said on a sigh, “I need something to call my own. I need…” She focused hard on the flames, gathering her own personal strength before adding the next word, “Excitement.”
The now familiar churning of his gut reminded him of his own spark of excitement. Before Lori Anne’s betrayal stamped it out, that glimmer gave him a reason to get up with the sun. His ranch, his horses, they were everything. Without his animals, Lang had as much purpose as last year’s calendar.
He looked away from the strength in Victoria’s dazzling eyes. The future he’d designed for himself was gone and all that remained was an uneventful and unchallenging moment by moment existence. Daylight hours that used to be crowded with chores and the satisfaction of a job well done, now crept by with each minute dragging him reluctantly along.
“My working alone surprises you?” Victoria’s question sliced through his self pity.
Weary of the fight, Lang gave up and let the heated emotions twisting through him take control. He forgot about wanting the ranch for himself and turned his gaze back to her, allowing himself a complete and unhurried look. Sweet clear innocence, tenderness and beneath that—the kind of passion that makes a man forget his own name. Everything about her promised to take away the pain in his heart.
At least for a little while.
The shreds of his self-control turned tattered and useless. Without that self-control to hold him in check, his cock was in total control. “You surprise me, Victoria,” he said, letting his voice drop low and soft.
He watched, waiting, for that flush to spread up her slender neck but it didn’t. Would she pull back if he kissed her? Or would she turn some of that passion he saw in her glittering eyes on him?
Damn, she looked intent—and ready. Tension squeezed him tighter, making his heart pound and his body throb with sexual heat. The need to feel her slender legs wrapped around his waist while he thrust into her, pushing harder and faster until lust swam in her eyes burned through him.
How long had it been since he’d felt so…alive?
How long had it been since he’d really wanted to be alive?
Had he ever felt this way?
Hot, desperate with the need to pound into a woman but still feeling the need to be gentle.
“I was wondering about something.” He wrapped his hand around her rib cage, pulling her close enough to see the delicate lashes shading her eyes. His thigh muscles flexed with expectation, urging him to thrust his hips against her. He held back, afraid he’d scare her off.
Once he had her settled close enough to feel the soft press of her breasts against him, she asked on a sigh, “What is it you want to know?”
She lifted her chin so that her back arched and her mouth was only a breath away from his. With the side of his thumb he traced the outline of tender bottom lip, pausing to admire the way her eyes widened from his caress. “Did all your boyfriends back home tell you how pretty you are?”
In the silence that followed, her chest rose and fell sharply, drawing his attention again to her tight nipples straining against the soft cotton of her shirt. He took his time admiring the taut peaks, straining to remember why he wasn’t dropping down to run his thumb across her delicious breasts.
She wiggled closer, working to nestle herself between his legs, pushing against his pulsing cock.
“Well,” he prompted as he raised an eyebrow. “Did they?”
She licked her lips, answering with her gaze on his mouth, “Some of them.”
“Did they tell you how sexy you are?” He nuzzled the soft, warm spot just below her ear, whispered across her skin. “How just watching you walk can make a man crazy?”
She shook her head, causing glossy strands to flip across his cheek.
Was the fire getter hotter still or were those flames burning him from the inside?
Needing an answer, he pulled back to brush his lips across hers. Not a kiss but more than enough to send a flash of blood to his already aching erection. The tip of his penis chaffed against his jeans, reminding him of the differences between him and Victoria. And how they each wanted different things from that moment—and from life. “I didn’t think so,” he growled, easing back, letting himself look into her beautiful eyes.
“What about you, Lang,” she asked, a touch of that obvious sex kitten grin curving on her mouth, her fingers skimming playfully across the buttons of his shirt. “Do all the girls tell you how sexy you are?”
The chemistry between them was one hundred percent true but that not-nearly-honest, come hither smile…this was all a game to her.
Sweet-talking her was one thing but handing over his heart?
Think with your head.
She parted her lips, then pressed them together, as though unsure of what to do next.
Lang’s better sense finally charged through the mire of lust that was sucking him down that trail to Troubleville. He loosened his grip on her shoulder, broke the sexual spell by forcing a laugh.
She jumped away, scowling hard. “What’s so funny?”
He leaned back, roaring with mock laughter. “You’re a sweet girl, Victoria.”
“Sweet?” She spat the word, that hot glitter in her gaze turning to ice.
For good measure, he flashed a cocky grin. “Someday you’re going to make someone a good wife.”
“Wife?” Her back straightened, jutting her breasts up high. “I told you, I’m not getting married anytime soon.”
“I may be just a cowboy,” he drawled, tugging his attention away from her tempting curves. “But my memory’s okay. I remember what you said about staying single.”
“Good.” Sparks flickered into the night behind her, drifting into the sky. “Don’t forget it either.”
With that departing comment, she spun and marched off with her chin high and her back ramrod straight. And her stiff back only made the sweet sway of her ass all that much finer.
—
Good work, cowboy.
So much for staying in control. That woman scrambled his brains like no other female he’d had the misfortune to come across. And did things to the rest of his body that threatened to send his good sense packing.
That hot chemistry between them was true, even so, as much as she wanted to deny them, nothing was going to change the facts—they wanted different things from life. Sure he’d been listening to her claims that she wanted freedom and fun, but he didn’t believe her. He was sure he knew what was down the road for each of them.
Her—marriage.
Him—bachelorhood.
Long-term commitment was not something he intended to get snarled up in again.
Lang shifted away f
rom the fire. There was hardly any wind, still he’d have to stay until it burned down.
Knowing that the evening chill would catch up with him soon, he went after the jacket he’d left on the porch. After making sure Victoria was nowhere in sight, he crossed through the side yard.
Rich girls.
The world would be better off if they all stayed where they belonged. At the shopping malls and country clubs.
For fun, he tried to imagine his conniving ex doing what Victoria was doing. He didn’t get far. For some reason, he could hardly even remember what Lori Anne looked like. He’d thought she was pretty but were her eyes green or hazel? Why had he married her anyway? Was she fun to be with? Did she stand up to him, the way Victoria did?
“Evenin’ Lang,” Hank called once he reached the porch steps.
Lang paused, pulled himself upright. How much had Hank seen? It wouldn’t do for Victoria’s hired hand to see his boss snuggled up with the temporary help.
The old man’s expression gave nothing away. “Have a seat.”
Lang eased himself into the chair.
Hank glanced at the nearly full cups of coffee on the table. “Seen Miss Moore around?”
“She went inside.”
“She comin’ back out?”
Fat chance. “I don’t think so.”
“You two had yourselves a roarin’ fire out back.”
Lang lifted his jacket. “Yeah, I just came to get my coat. I’ll sit out there until it burns down.”
The old man fastened him with a direct stare. “This ranch means a lot to her.”
Hank folded his arms across his chest, letting his unspoken statement to sink in. Instead of resenting the close scrutiny, Lang appreciated it. Victoria needed someone looking out for her. “I understand.”
The old man’s voice was smooth but firm. “She’s been working nonstop ever since she got out here. Don’t let her pretty face fool you, she’s a determined lady who knows her mind.”
Lang didn’t need any reminders about her grit. Too bad it was misplaced. “I noticed.” He swept his arms wide. “You two have done all the repairs?”
Hank leaned forward to rub his thighs and nodded. “The Perezes were good folks but they wanted to spend their money on travelin’ and seein’ their grandkids. They sold to Victoria, moved to Vegas.”
“You’ve only been working with her a couple weeks.”
“That’s right but I know all I need to know. She’s fair and hardworking. I’ll be staying on here as long as she’ll have me.”
Lang pushed aside a twinge of guilt. When he and Cole bought the place from Victoria, they’d keep the man on too. He wouldn’t have a problem with their bachelors-only policy.
“You’ll help her pick out some good animals at the auction?” Hank asked.
When the place became Lang’s, the animals would too. “Of course, it’ll be no problem. I know what to look for.”
“I thought as much. I knew your father way back. You look like him.”
A bittersweet smile flashed across Lang’s mouth. “No surprise there, I think everybody in Arizona knew my daddy.”
“He was a good man. That’s why I trust you with Miss Moore.”
Trust.
Lang’s conscience kicked him in the shins hard enough to make him wince. It wasn’t like he was violating some cowboy code of honor. In fact, he reasoned, he was helping a woman in distress. She didn’t know she was in distress but that didn’t matter did it?
Hank talked about the old days for a while but Lang’s mind was reeling so he couldn’t even concentrate enough to ask questions. Something downright horrible had happened. That little slip of a woman had managed to do the unthinkable. She’d shaken loose a couple slats in that fence that was supposed to be protecting his heart. In less than twelve hours.
How had he let that happen? Something about her annoying staying power and doggone resolve got under his skin. If he let himself, he’d admit that he liked her. Enjoyed being near her. And that hot combination of sweet innocence and raw sex appeal? Don’t even go there, cowboy.
Not to worry though. The pen around his heart was still there. Stay focused, rancher, stay safe. That feisty blonde was wrong, wrong, wrong and bad news to boot.
“Snore?”
Lang snapped out of meandering thoughts.
Hank smacked him lightly on the shoulder. “You with me? I asked, do you snore?”
Lang pretended he’d been listening all along but he probably didn’t even fool the dog. “You a light sleeper, Mr. Cartwright?”
“Call me Hank, son.” The man stood up and Promise trotted to the steps. “And no, I ain’t a light sleeper. I only wanted to know if I was goin’ to be missin’ out on some nighttime music.” The hand’s eyebrows pulled together and his mouth twisted into a knowing grin.
An awkward chuckle rumbled out of Lang. “I’ll be down at the bunkhouse as soon as the fire gets low.”
“I’ll be asleep.” The old man worked his way down the steps and said goodnight over his shoulder. The dog followed behind, both of them shuffling and looking bone weary.
As the sun started to slip below the earth, Lang hopped off the porch and strode toward the thick smoke swirling up into the night.
Chapter Six
By ten-thirty the next morning, Victoria’s nerves were shot. She tried to distract herself by admiring the tall roadside cactuses and the rugged mountains in the distance, somehow the scenery didn’t offer the same excitement it had on her first drive out to The Circle Cat. She even went so far as to try to imagine Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson riding the trails alongside the highway.
The cute trick did nothing to make her forget the hunk of a man seated beside her, the words they’d exchanged, or what she’d been thinking of as an almost kiss. That garbage about her being a “good wife someday”! Just thinking about it made her simmering mad all over again. Mad…and curious. Achingly needy.
If only he’d kept his thoughts to himself and put his mouth on hers. Would his kiss have been gentle like the night air? Or hard and quick like the rivers up in the mountains?
If only he’d kept his thoughts to himself.
Why did every man think a woman’s only goal in life was to find a husband? Didn’t they realize that some women wanted to have a life of their own? Some fun? An adventure?
Even if she did want to get married—which she did not—she’d eliminated that possibility. So there was no point in even considering the idea—it wouldn’t be happening for a long, long time.
Thank goodness Lang had offered to drive. In her mental state all she could manage was to sit, look out the window, pretend to admire the scenery and try not to think about the irritating hunk of man seated beside her.
Peeks at his skillful hands and solid shoulders were out of the question. Those looks would only make her wonder, all over again, what could’ve happened the night before.
No man had ever made her so hungry with anticipation. She might be strung tight but what happened by the fire didn’t seem to be affecting him at all. He sat behind the wheel relaxed and indifferent.
She didn’t know whether to be mad or insulted.
The longer they drove along in silence, the stiffer the knots in her shoulders became. She’d probably break into pieces when she finally climbed out of the truck.
“We’re almost at the San Pedro River, so we’ll be at Tombstone in time for lunch,” he said without so much as a glimpse her way.
Victoria glanced at her watch. Had they only been on the road for an hour? The friction gnawing at her nerves made her feel like she’d been confined with Lang half the day.
Yet, she had to find a way past her skittishness. They had to discuss the money she had to spend on horses and exactly what kind she needed. Now was as good a time as any except she couldn’t get any words out of her mouth. But she couldn’t stand the stiff silence either, so she asked, “Do you want to stop for lunch at a restaurant, or would you rather get something at the
auction?”
“I don’t need anything fancy. Hot dogs at the lot are fine for me.”
His tone touched her already sensitive nerves. Was he implying something? Or was she being paranoid? “I like hot dogs,” she challenged with a grin.
He glanced away from the highway and smiled for the first time that day. At her expense.
She pressed back her shoulders. “Doesn’t everyone eat hot dogs?”
“Some people eat them more often that others,” he responded dryly, a slight tug pulling on the corner of his mouth.
Victoria struggled to keep the light in her eyes. He was trying to get at something but what? Big deal if she hadn’t eaten a hot dog in years. What did that have to do with anything?
Then it dawned on her. She’d read his attitude all wrong. He’d noticed that two-way attraction but for some stupid reason, he was trying to find something to wedge between them.
Why?
She sat in thoughtful quiet during their stops at the lumber yard and garage. By the time they pulled into the Cochise County Auction lot, her neck was sore and her mouth was worn out from all the frowning.
Anxious to be out in the open again, she pushed the door open, swung out and stepped around to the front of the truck. One look around and her aches were forgotten.
It was fantastic. Dusty cowboys and chattering families swarmed all around, their shouts and calls filling the air with energy. Herds of horses waited in corrals and even more were being unloaded from trailers.
Lang lumbered over. “I’m starving. Let’s get something to eat, then check the horses over. Okay with you?”
Overcome by the thrill of the marvelous chaos, Victoria spun on her heels, admiring it all.
“You ever been to an auction before?” he asked, past her shoulder at a couple of paint ponies tied to a railing under a cluster of trees.
“No! I could kick myself. I can’t believe I never took the time. This is incredible. I’ve never seen so many horses for sale in one place.”
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