Cowboy For Hire

by Isabelle Drake

If he hadn’t lost control, if he’d kept his mind on the business of getting Victoria to see she didn’t belong at the ranch, instead of jumping on her like the hormone-crazed man he was, everything would’ve been fine. As fine as things can be when a man is going out of his way to avoid a woman he’s thinking about every minute of the day and dreaming about every minute he’s in bed.

  Susie flashed a bright smile Victoria’s way. “You look a bit tired yourself, sweetie.”

  Victoria’s gaze skipped around the room, going everywhere but on him. “Running this place is hard work but you don’t hear me complaining.” She slumped into her chair with a sigh. “I’m sorry Susie. I guess I’m on edge. With the guests coming tomorrow and everything… There’s a lot going on.”

  And she’d been handling it as though she’d been managing life at The Circle Cat for years instead of weeks. There was the problem. Every time Lang tried to prove Victoria didn’t belong at the ranch, she’d managed to show off some secret skill or obscure hidden talent.

  Roping down those horses he let loose, for one example. Another—the way she unknowingly turned the tables on him with that X-rated, wet t-shirt horse bath. How was he supposed to see something like that coming? Or that episode in the haystacks? The frustration factor alone would drive any sane man as crazy as a lizard with sunstroke.

  With the barn almost done, he was just about out of time. No wonder tension tugged at his every nerve, Lang mused. Saving a woman from herself had never been so difficult. Not that he’d tried to do it before, still, how was he supposed to know it was going to be so infuriating?

  Susie and Mr. Moore exchanged a scheming glance, the gleam in their eyes making his skin prickle. Lang eyed the chips, put his napkin in his lap and asked stiffly, “Everyone ready to eat?”

  So Lang was hungry?

  Victoria ignored his question and made a point of very, very carefully carving off a serving of roast as slowly as she could without remaining still, laying it on her plate in the most leisurely way possible and then passing the platter to her father. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched her dad serve Susie, himself and then pass the roast onto Lang whose face was pulled so tight he looked like he was ready to burst.

  Served him right. At least she’d gotten the better of him—again.

  Her father pointed at the big bowl in front of her. “Will you start the chips?”

  She forced a bright smile, heaped the biggest, tastiest looking chips onto her plate and then passed the bowl—in the opposite direction from Lang. If he ended up with crumbs, well, that wouldn’t be her fault, would it?

  “I’ve enjoyed cooking a few of our meals but your food is better, Victoria.” Susie said, pointing to the odd mixture of roast, chips with salsa and some mysterious vegetable dish. “Yours is more ranch-like.”

  “Thanks, Susie,” she responded warmly. Connecting with her stepmother was an unexpected benefit of having her parents stranded at the ranch.

  “Susie’s right, honey. You’ve done an excellent job with everything.” Her dad raised his fork, gestured to Lang, “Don’t you think so?”

  “Yes, sir.” Lang’s reply was so stiff she was surprised the words didn’t drop out of the air like chunks of frozen rain.

  Victoria shot a look his way, the usual chilly cloud she expected to see in his eyes wasn’t there. Instead, his gaze was intense and searching. A river of heat rushed through her veins.

  A hot and cold cowboy.

  Who knew such a thing existed?

  “Those horses are coming along well, honey.”

  “I think so too,” she said, moving her gaze to her stepmother. “Susie and I had a great ride this morning.”

  “We sure did.” Susie patted her husband’s arm. “You missed out, sweetie pie.” She turned a wily expression to Lang. “You go out with Victoria yet, Lang?”

  Victoria peered at Lang from the corner of her eye and for a split second she thought she saw a touch of something volatile in his dark gaze. Regret? For letting her walk away in the barn? Or was she imagining that because that’s what she wanted to see?

  Lang’s gaze shifted to Susie. “No, ma’am. We haven’t been out yet.”

  Susie appeared to be oblivious to the tension vibrating across the table, as she tisk-tisked his noncommittal reply. “You two better go first thing tomorrow morning.”

  Victoria nearly choked on her chips. Survive time alone with him? Sure, she could get him to kiss her. What then…and would whatever came next, be enough?

  After a few hard swallows and a long drink of iced tea, she managed to speak up. “Tomorrow morning?”

  “Yes, of course. While your dad is finishing with the starter. You two go on out and take one last ride to check the trails. Make sure the horses are ready for the guests.”

  Lang’s gaze bounced between Victoria and Susie. “We’ll have plenty of time on the trails, um…next week.”

  “Oh, Lang,” Susie’s manicured nails danced in the air. “You won’t get in a good, hard ride with those tenderfoots along.”

  “I think Susie’s right,” her dad broke in. “You need to go out, just the two of you. You’ve been so busy with the other horses, Sasabe hasn’t gone out in days.”

  Victoria turned to Lang for help but he shrugged in defeat. “Guess we could head out tomorrow…sometime…”

  “Right after breakfast.” Susie’s chin dipped down, settling the matter.

  Chapter Eleven

  Lang rubbed his eyes and moaned.

  “Morning! Too tired to sleep, cowboy?” Hank’s chuckle rattled around the bunkhouse.

  Lang managed to open one eye. A bright shaft of southwestern sun pierced his pupil, making him snap his eyelid shut.

  “You were tossin’ and turnin’ all night, son. Something on your mind?”

  Yeah, Susie’s not-so-innocent words “good hard ride”.

  That woman knew exactly what she was saying and how he’d react to it. She probably had a history of stirring up trouble.

  “Something on your mind?” Hank repeated.

  Obviously the old man had his strength back. At least one of them had slept well. “No, Hank. Nothing’s on my mind.”

  “Could’ve fooled me.”

  Lang cast him a warning glance. “Don’t you have some busted piece of equipment to fix?”

  “Nope.” The old man grinned, shoving his hands into his coveralls and propping himself against one of the wood beams. “Thanks to Sam and Susie, I’ve had more than enough time to get everything up and running.”

  “Good for you,” Lang grumbled, rolling himself upright, still struggling to get his eyes open.

  Hank chortled at Lang’s distress. “I’m planning on takin’ it easy this morning, check things over one last time. Make sure everything is safe and secure.” The old hand swung away from the post, continuing without giving Lang to reply. “You still planning on leaving today?”

  “Yep.” He didn’t have any choice. He was out of time and out of luck.

  “When you hittin’ the road?” the man asked, reaching down to straighten the cover on his bed.

  “Victoria and I are going for a ride this morning. Then, after Sam and Susie go, I’ll pack up.”

  Hank titled his head, glanced over at Lang. “A trail ride? Just you and Miss Moore?”

  “Yeah, it was Susie’s idea.”

  The old man gave the cover one last tug then straightened, his mouth pulling to the side. “I see.”

  “Sasabe hasn’t gone out with the others. She’s the only one that hasn’t been out on the trails, so we need to take her out.” The explanation sounded lame even to Lang but it was the only one he had.

  The hand tucked his chin in, peering down at him. “I see.”

  “Then, after Sam and Susie leave, I’ll come in and pack.”

  Hank stayed put, staring down at him. “So you said.”

  Lang sighed as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, carefully avoiding the other man’s gaze. “Tell Victoria I�
�ll be up for breakfast in a few minutes.”

  “Okay,” he replied but lingered a moment longer. About the time Lang thought he was going to say something more, the old man spun himself around and ambled out.

  Lang gritted his teeth and threw the covers aside. His back was stiff and his eyelids felt like sandpaper. So much for getting one, final, good night of sleep. Holding in a curse of complaint, he pushed himself up and hobbled to the shower.

  Once the water rolled down his back, he leaned on the tiled wall, trying to sort the thoughts and images that had kept him awake most of the night. It all boiled down to one word.

  Victoria.

  The temptation to touch her each time he saw her, the longing to step close enough to smell her hair, the desire to taste her lips and the all-consuming need to make love to her thrummed constantly across each nerve ending.

  Lang glanced down at his quickly rising cock and hit the hot water fixture, spinning it around until it stopped. Cold, he definitely needed cold.

  The repair on the barn was complete. Sam and Susie would soon be on their way. There was nothing holding him back, nothing keeping him from leaving The Circle Cat. His time was up.

  He’d never know if Victoria was sweet and tender when she gave herself to a man or if she was bold and demanding. More likely, she was an untamed mixture of give and take, easy but wanton. Days with a woman like her would never be dull and the nights…

  Lang reached down to stroke his solid shaft.

  Damn.

  She’d gotten to him again.

  His grip tightened with frustration and need, his movements turning sharp and quick. He didn’t even bother holding back his groans. Denying his feelings would be as pointless as his efforts to shake sense into Victoria. How she’d managed to turn each one of his schemes into an opportunity to succeed at the impossible he’d never know. He rejected the obvious, that she had what it took be a rancher and she belonged at The Circle Cat.

  Instead, he focused on what he wanted to be the truth. That Victoria was a spoiled rich girl playing at running a business. That was his last defense against the impossible—falling in love with Victoria Moore.

  His cock jerked with release, Lang sagged against the cold tiles. He had to face facts.

  She’d be staying on, he’d be headed south. Had he let himself down? Or was it Victoria who’d eventually pay the price for his failure to get her to face the truth? What would happen after he left?

  Disaster. That’s what.

  She’d discover that she belonged in Phoenix but she’d learn the hard way. A failure wouldn’t break her forever, she was too determined for that. Still, it would give her spirit a beating—slow her down and keep her from the life he believed she wanted. A husband and children.

  That business about being a good time girl—that could lead to more trouble than she could ever imagine.

  Like a dog with a bone, he clamped onto the slim possibility of finding a way to get Victoria to see that she didn’t really belong there. All he needed was one more chance. He’d watch for the opening and grab it when it came along.

  —

  The hot morning quickly got hotter. By ten o’clock, sweat trickled down Victoria’s back, making her jeans stick to her legs. She and Lang had only been out for an hour yet already she was thirsty and aching for a break.

  The long, restless night had left her mind in a haze and her body weak. Half of it she’d spent trying to come up with reasons to cancel the ride. The other half, she’d spent trying to memorize every detail of Lang’s face—and body.

  She slowed Sasabe to a walk as they reached a twisted mountain pass, casting a glance over her shoulder. Lang had his hat pulled down, so she couldn’t see if he appeared as worn out as she felt.

  As she started to turn back around, he asked, “You ready for a break?”

  The tight twists commanded all her attention so she pulled Sasabe to a stop before replying. “That okay with you?”

  Lang pushed his hat back, letting the sun shine across his rugged face. “How about we pull off at the top of that next hill? Next to the stream.”

  She knew the spot. It overlooked The Circle Cat. She nodded, turning back around and nudging Sasabe onward.

  As her mount picked its way up the rocky slope, Victoria concentrated on keeping the reins loose enough to allow the mare freedom to find her own way. The morning buzzed with heat and friction. Few birds flew overhead. Even the cactuses looked hot and uncomfortable.

  Even though she was anxious to dismount, she didn’t look forward to being alone with Lang. They hadn’t talked about him leaving yet but Victoria figured his departure was on his mind too.

  The still air was so thick that the gentle clomp of the horses’ hooves and the occasional roll of a rock did little to break up the quiet. Victoria watched Sasabe’s mane bounce as the animal kept its head low for balance.

  By the time the last bend came into view, the entire back of Victoria’s shirt was stuck to her. The damp material clung to her body, holding in the heat and making her plain miserable.

  She guided Sasabe over to the side of the trail, then pulled the horse to a stop beside a scraggly pine. The combination of hillside pines and rocks provided barely enough shade to make a difference in temperature. Victoria swung out of the saddle and hit the ground with a heavy thump. With a few quick movements, she removed the saddle and set it aside.

  She led her horse behind the clearing to a copse of trees where a shallow stream ran. Soon, Lang brought his horse to the creek. Victoria and Lang waited while the animals drank their fill. Once Sasabe was done, Victoria led the horse over to a low pine branch, looped the reins over and then stepped over to her saddle pack.

  When she reached for the wide leather flap, Lang’s hand brushed against hers. She jerked back with a start, instantly wishing she hadn’t, because her hip bumped his thigh. The temperature in the air was nothing compared to the hot wave that shot through her.

  He set his hand on her waist to steady her, his husky voice whispered across her cheek, making her shiver. “I’ll get the water for us.”

  Being close to him felt perfect. So right. The two of them were in sync, wanting the same thing. Why didn’t he turn her around and kiss her? Or come close enough to press his solid body to hers?

  Stupid fear, that’s why.

  She’d had enough of that. “I’m not like Lori Anne, Lang,” she said over her shoulder.

  His hand stayed on her hip, his body still, tense. “What do you know about Lori Anne?” he asked softly.

  She wrapped her fingers over his, tilted back to rest her head against his solid chest. “Vince told me.”

  Lang’s voice took on an edge but still he didn’t move away. “He should’ve kept his fancy mouth shut.”

  Ignoring his tone, she said, “I asked about you. He wasn’t going to tell me anything but I made him.” After taking a shallow breath, knowing that this might be her only chance to say what she had on her mind, she continued. “I’m glad he did tell me because now I understand.”

  “Understand that you’re planning on doing the same thing she did? Using me? Taking off after you’re done with me, trotting into some other guy’s arms?” He pulled his hand out from under hers and backed away.

  But when she spun around, she caught a glimmer of conflict in his eyes as he tried to make his next words a joke. “I’m not a bus stop.”

  He moved to the flat spot where the ground dropped off and she followed. In the valley below, The Circle Cat sat postcard perfect lying nestled among the trees. From the top of the hill, they could see everything, the house, the barn, cabins, even the fire pit.

  But the even view of her ranch wasn’t going to take her mind off what she wanted to know. “Are you still in love with her?”

  “No,” he replied quickly, then ran his hand over his face and shook his head, his face expressionless. “I wanted to be but probably never really was. I was just like all the other saps who’re fooled by swanky clot
hes and an inviting smile.”

  Not willing to be painted with the same brush as the woman who’d treated him so badly, she pointed out, “I’ve been honest with you from the start.”

  He paused, considering her words. When he replied, his voice lost the edge and turned husky. “True enough. And I appreciate that.”

  The mere sound of his voice made her skin tingle. And knowing what his hands and mouth were capable of made her want so much more.

  She looked into his dark eyes, saw the same desire she felt pulsing in her own veins. They both wanted more than what they’d had from each other so far. It looked like it was up to her to make sure they got it. “I have an idea,” she said, slowly shifting toward him. “Stay here, at the ranch.”

  “Keep working?” He stepped away and shrugged. “Why?”

  She turned, smiling openly. “See where things go with us, have some fun together.”

  “That again?” His gaze darted from her face to the scene below then to the blanket he’d laid out. “Fun. That no commitments kind?”

  “Yep. Exactly.” She spread her hands wide, encouraging him to look at her. “If we’re both honest about what we want, why not? What could be the harm?”

  His gaze skimmed down her legs, flickered across her waist, lingered over her breasts then came around to her face. The grin that pulled on his mouth didn’t quite reach his eyes. “That’s a sweet, tempting offer and I do appreciate it.” He swung away to drop onto the blanket beside the saddle he’d taken off Prickly Pear, reaching for one of the water bottles. “But I don’t think so.”

  Appreciate it?

  I don’t think so?

  What kind of answer was that?

  Victoria held back a scowl.

  Lang offered her a smile, smacking the spot beside him. “Come over and sit, you look like you’re ready to collapse from this heat.”

  She was feeling weak but it wasn’t from the air temperature.

  She took a step forward, then hesitated. The blanket looked small with Lang’s long legs stretched across it. No matter where she put herself, she’d be right next to him.

  Touching would be unavoidable.