STORY EXCERPT

“This is why you called me all the way out here?” Cindy Taylor tightened one of clamps on a connecting pipe and then rose to her feet. The sun was still low on the horizon, the ground not yet dry from the morning dew.

“Couldn’t have done it without you, Ms. Taylor,” said Chance. He leaned against the side of an outbuilding chewing on a piece of straw. She felt his heated stare when she’d been on all fours with her wrench, and those penetrating blue eyes hadn’t let up. “Mr. Oakley told me to call anytime I had trouble.”

She frowned and took a deep breath. “Chance, you know darn well you’re capable of tightening a bolt on your own.”

He shrugged, a guilty smirk on his face. Why did he have to look so damn sexy? She’d been crushing on the cowboy drifter for five years but refused to act on her desires.

“I have an important sales call up north later today, and I can’t be late. If that’s all you need help with, I’ll be leaving,” she said, bending to pick up her tool case.

Chance Anderson loved to push her buttons, calling her every week for maintenance help that a child could handle. He was born and raised a cowboy—taught to do things for himself rather than ask for handouts. She’d only known life on a working ranch, so she knew the cowboy code well. But for some reason, beyond her comprehension, he seemed to enjoy her company. She never encouraged him and wasn’t a flirt. In fact, she was especially curt in an attempt to stifle his interest. It didn’t work.

Cindy could admit to being attracted to the dirty-blond laborer. He was cute with a hard, sun-kissed body. There weren’t many men she allowed under her skin, but there was something genuine about Chance that brought down her hackles. He didn’t try to be someone he wasn’t. What she saw was what she got, and she appreciated that honesty.

But to support his frequent advances would be pointless. He was a drifter, working as a hired hand on different ranches during busy seasons. Nothing serious could develop between them. That she was sure of.

Cindy walked to her truck, the sharp crunch of gravel beneath her boots. As soon as she swung open the whiny, metal door, Chance closed it with a hand high above hers. She dropped her case, the tools spilling on the driveway with a clatter. He’d moved so fast that her breath caught. She turned, pressing her back to the driver’s side. He’d never been so forward.

“What’re you doing?”

“What is it about me that’s so repulsive? I know you’re not a married woman, so it must be me.”

She exhaled, looking to the ground. “Chance, if I had a dollar for every pick-up line I heard on the job I’d be able to buy my own place by now. I’m here to do my job. Nothing more.”

“You quoted this irrigation system five years ago. Lord knows I’ve tried to get on your good side since then.” He pinned her between his arms. His plaid shirt was rolled up to his elbows, his muscled forearms supporting his weight as he leaned slightly forward. The man even smelled good, a mix of masculine musk, clean sweat, and horses. The essence of an Albertan cowboy, and she wasn’t immune.

“And these frivolous calls are supposed to win me over?”

Cindy wanted to get in her truck and drive. Far away from Chance and an offer she so desperately wanted to accept…but couldn’t.

“It’s the only way I can spend a few minutes time with you, darlin’. You’re always busy with work, and to this day you haven’t agreed to any of my dinner offers.”

“Then maybe you should take all that into consideration, Chance. Not every woman is ready to drop her panties because you flash them a smile.” She’d seen the women sniffing around him. He usually entered all the local rodeo events, even travelling to neighboring towns on occasion. She’d seen Chance with other women, and it had stirred the green-eyed monster inside her, but she never acted on it. He wasn’t hers. Cindy knew for a fact there were a slew of buckle bunnies ready to bring all his fantasies to life. She could never compete with that.

He moved his right hand to secure her chin and then tilted her head back slightly so she could look him in the eyes. “I’ve been a gentleman, have I not? I only wanted a chance to know you better. Nothin’ like you’re thinking.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling like a complete bitch. She had no reasonable excuse to give him. Why couldn’t he give up like every other man? They all did given enough time. For five years Chance had tried to court her without fail. He worked the Connery Ranch every season, using their irrigation system as an excuse to get closer to her. Chance wasn’t a lazy man. He was a hard-working, dedicated cowboy. But he always had time for her or these silly house calls he used as a justification to get her to stop by. It was flattering in a way. Half the women in town had eyes for Chance Anderson. But Cindy could never take a relationship past a certain level. If he saw her with her clothes off she’d be humiliated, reminded of a childhood she wanted forgotten, and never be able to recover from seeing revulsion in his eyes. It was the reason she found it safer not to get too close to men at all. And the reason she gladly followed her parents out of their hometown to start fresh. It may be a shallow way to live, but it was the best she had given the cards she’d been dealt.

“I have to go,” she reminded him. Cindy wasn’t willing to have this discussion. Not now and certainly not with Chance. She was beginning to believe he was her Achilles’ heel, so avoidance was a necessity.

He continued to hold her chin, trying to maintain eye contact. His body was temptingly close, so tall and broad next to hers.

“Not until you promise me one night. Dinner. Nothing more.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“You’re a menace,” she said. But by the time she turned around to gauge his reaction, he had her pinned to the side of the house. He shackled her wrists and brought them high above her head. Her heart raced, her blood heated, and her pussy tightened.

“You have no idea what I am. Or what I’m capable of.” He stared at her, his eyes so blue she swore she saw the ocean waves. “You avoid me, but then you play games.”

“I’m just trying to do my job.” She struggled, but he held her still. “I have no idea what games you’re talking about, Mr. Granger.”

“Mr. Granger now?” He clucked his tongue.

She felt no sense of fear, only titillation. There was no anger in Josh. He remained calm, his voice steady, but he was in control. She liked it.

“Let me go.”

“I bet if I slid my hand down your pants you’d be soaked through.” He held her wrists up with one big hand and used his free hand to lightly run along the side of her breast. “And your nipples are begging to be sucked.”

“You’re disgusting,” she said. But in truth, his words spiraled around inside her, lighting up every erogenous zone. His raw, crude nature was driving her wild on the inside. Could he sense it? Did desire have a unique fragrance to men? He certainly behaved like an animal. Would he be as untamed in bed? Or would he be patient for her first time?

“Better for you.”

She wasn’t sure what that meant, but she was certain it had sexual connotations.

Cindy parted her lips to breathe. Her heart was pumping so fast she didn’t doubt she’d pass out for the thrill.

Josh slid his work-roughened hand up her shirt. She closed her eyes as he neared her breasts. Cindy wore no bra today even though she always did. It was as if part of her anticipated this moment, secretly yearning for it. Would Josh refuse her in the end like Matthew and Chance had?

“You’re soft, Cindy. Like silk against my fingers.” He cupped one breast in his palm, squeezing slightly. The forbidden nature of the touch set her nerves afire. Her senses became magnified. She could hear the wind, the birds in the distance, even the shed door flapping open and closed near the front of the house.

“Why’re you afraid?” he asked.

“I’m not,” she blurted, too fast. If he knew she was a virgin, maybe he’d refuse her, too. It was better if he believed she was an experienced woman, because her body no longer cared about honor and pride. She wanted to know the pleasures of the flesh. If she was destined to become an old maid, she at least wanted some memories to reflect on during the long, cold nights alone.

“Then why are you shivering? If I didn’t know any better I’d say you weren’t used to a man’s touch.” He released her pinned arms. The blood pooled into her hands in a rush, creating thousands of pinprick sensations. “That’s hard to believe seeing how beautiful you are.”

She felt defensive, determined to maintain her ruse. “I’ve been touched plenty. I was with Matthew just last week.” She left out the fact they hadn’t actually had intercourse. Josh frowned, not at all pleased.

“I don’t want to hear about Matthew now.” His voice was dominant, carrying a hint of a threat. She liked this possessive side to him. “Touch me.”

“What?”

He practically ripped off his own checkered shirt, one of the buttons flying off into the long grass along the house. “I want to feel your little hands on me. Don’t be shy. Like you said, you have plenty of experience.”

Josh was so close to her, only a breath separating their bodies. His chest looked rock hard, his nipples small, brown, and tempting. She desperately wanted to test those taut muscles for herself. What the hell was holding her back? This was what she wanted.

She tentatively reached out and laid a palm on his pec. His flesh was much warmer than hers. She’d never had the pleasure of exploring a man’s body. Cindy let her hands roam—lower. His abs were ripped, and her fingers traced each toned ridge on their descent. As she neared his big silver buckle she discovered a trail of dark hair.

“Keep going,” he coaxed. Did she dare? She was certainly curious but terrified of the unknown at the same time.

“I–I can’t.”

“Unbuckle me.” His words were more than an order. They were final. He was confident in his authority, and it made her more anxious to comply.

Cindy slid the leather through the buckle and proceeded to unbutton his Wranglers. They were already low on his hips, displaying the sharp muscled V and trail of hair which led to the hard bulge below. Her fingers began to shake as she fiddled with the stubborn zipper. Before she could succeed at unzipping him, he grabbed her wrist and pushed it to the side.

He was like an animal now, feral and one-sighted. Josh crushed his mouth to hers, kissing her with unexpected passion. She responded, needing him, needing this. His tongue played with hers. He was pure energy, unable to take enough. She felt overwhelmed but still ready to give him what he wanted.

“I’m hot all over,” she confessed on the shadow of a breath.

“I’ll fix that, baby girl. It’s my intention you leave this ranch satisfied.”