“I have a hat and scarf,” she replied quietly.
“No gloves?”
“No.”
Ryder sighed. “If you’re so thorough in your research, you should have looked more closely into the climate here and come prepared.”
She whirled to face him. “I did, and I didn’t see anything about an Ice Age coming in the next week.”
He laughed. It was probably the first amusing thing he’d heard her say. “This isn’t typical, but it’s still cold enough here to warrant gloves in February.”
“I’ll be sure to make note of that in case I ever have a reason to come out here again,” she muttered bitterly.
“Does that mean you’re out of here as soon as the weather clears up?” Was that too much to hope?
“No. Actually, I spoke to Parker Brandt earlier today, and his disposition prompted me to call the partners at my firm and request that we put some of our own funds into your investigation. I don’t believe Fillmore Investments set fire to your forest, Chief, but I want to assure you of that, since I understand why you would consider the possibility.”
Ryder snorted. “I take it he wasn’t just having an off day when he visited my office.”
“No, he has a permanently inappropriate demeanor.” She scowled, and Ryder could tell the jackass had said something to offend her. He wondered how that conversation had gone and if Amanda had blown up at her client the way she had in his office. He didn’t ask, but he could imagine her righteous anger raining down like hot coals from the sky.
“At least you get it,” he said quietly. “Look, we’re going to be in close quarters, and that could be for a couple of days. Can I make a couple of requests?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “That depends on the reasonability of said requests.”
He smirked. “Do you ever relax? I mean, you’re always so careful with your grammar. I feel like I’m with my high school English teacher.”
“Is that one of your requests or simply an observation?”
“Just an observation,” he said lightly, trying not to get annoyed. “I really have two major requests. One is that we don’t talk business.” She nodded her assent, and he added, “The other is that you stop calling me ‘Chief’. My name is Ryder.”
“I’m not sure such familiarity would be appropriate, under the circumstances,” she argued.
He rolled his eyes. “What circumstances? You mean the fact that we’re basically enemies at separate corners of a boxing ring?” He shook his head. “The Seahawks and the Cowboys are enemies on the football field, but I doubt Russell Wilson and Tony Romo call each other ‘Quarterback’.”
Amanda laughed, the same ringing sound she’d made in his office. It sent a shiver up his spine, and he had a sudden urge to keep making her laugh. She was so much more pleasant when she was amused. “Point taken. I guess we can dispense with the formalities, in which case you may call me Amanda. But not Mandy. I really don’t care for nicknames.”
“That’s too bad. I was thinking of asking you to call me Big Daddy.” He smirked.
This time, her laugh was riotous. “That’s just offensive and highly inappropriate. Ryder will do just fine.”
It suited him fine, too, though he had a sudden fleeting thought of getting her naked and straddling him as she panted and called him some other dirty name. He would have turned the heat off to freeze out the image if she wasn’t in the truck with him. As it was, he had to suffer through it for the rest of the drive.
9
The first thing Amanda did when she arrived at Ryder’s house was accept the invitation to shower. He had cranked the generator, temporarily connected the hot water heater to it, and turned on a couple of low-wattage lights while he got the fire blazing. Then, he’d showed her the extra bedroom and bathroom before going out to take care of his pigs. Apparently, they were as susceptible to the cold as humans, and he wanted to board up their sty to help hold in the heat.
He left her bags on the bed, which was covered in a pink and purple floral quilt and pillows with white shams edged in lace. The room didn’t look like a typical guest room in a man’s house, but the photo in the frame on the bedside table had to be of Ryder’s parents. He looked a lot like each of them, the perfect blend, and Amanda guessed that the last person to inhabit this room had been his mother.
She dug through her clothes, realizing she hadn’t packed any modest pajamas, only a couple of short nightgowns. Sighing, she hated that she hadn’t planned ahead in case something went wrong. It seemed like everything had, and she was going to have to use her jogging suit to sleep in. It was the only thing she’d brought that wasn’t business attire or a nightie. With that and her undergarments in hand, she traipsed into the bathroom, finding the hot spray luxurious after the desperate cold outside.
Ryder had parked in a garage and put the engine on a heating block, and it still felt like the Arctic out there. She knew she’d be anxious to get back to the fireplace after she dressed. She couldn’t figure out why he had been so generous to her, considering the animosity they held toward each other. He seemed to feel responsible for her, which made even less sense. She was here to take this ranch from him. Of course, the compensation was more than fair and would build a new one, bigger and better in a place with weather that wasn’t so harsh.
But that wasn’t how Ryder saw things. That much Amanda understood. Every time she thought she had more reason to dislike the man, he turned things around on her. His entrance at the diner like some hero coming for the damsel in distress had offended her, but when he’d explained the circumstances, she understood he was there as a sincere gesture and not a gloating, cocky show of superiority.
And then he’d made her feel incompetent for not having the right attire. But he was right, and he’d turned it around and started joking with her, purposely trying to ease the tension and make her smile. The truly astounding thing was that it had worked. She’d laughed.
The more she thought about Ryder Sieverson, the less of a Neanderthal he seemed to be. His personality fit the territory, a man charged with a high, respected office who took that seriously and who was dedicated to both that responsibility and the love of his land. He didn’t mean to be condescending or combative. It was simply in his nature, something required to maintain the strength it took not to crack under the pressure. She had to equate it to her own need to be assertive and hard in her dealings. She couldn’t let anyone else dominate a conversation when it came to business for fear they would steamroll her. The same was true for Ryder, and Amanda actually respected that.
Unfortunately, she also found it incredibly arousing. Added to his physical prowess, it worked her over, and she fought the attractions with all her might. This arrangement was a terrible idea, but as he had insisted, it was necessary. She’d faced some terrible weather in Richmond, but the white cloud that surrounded this ranch house before she’d gotten in the shower was the most ominous thing she’d ever seen, as if they were surrounded by impending doom.
The question was, could she maintain her distance and keep her instincts under control while they were stuck here together? She scowled at the thought. What choice did she have? She’d already made the mistake of being flirtatious with Ryder once, before she’d known who he was. If she lost her resolve now, she’d regret it tenfold. Either he’d turn her down flat because he wasn’t interested—or because he thought she was just trying to seduce him into cooperating and signing the contract—or he’d take advantage of her and expect more.
Amanda wasn’t keen on either situation, and that meant she had to douse the flames building inside as she thought of the way he looked in his jeans, of his begrudging chivalrous attitude, and the spark of life in his gray-green eyes when he was fired up.
Clenching her jaw, she chided herself for going over the details again. If it wasn’t colder than the deepest freeze in Antarctica outside, she would have finished her shower with cold water. She didn’t dare. She would likely have icicles hanging
off some very unpleasant parts of her body.
She did turn off the spray and dry off with one of the thick, cozy towels hanging by the shower and got dressed. Thankfully, the jogging suit held in some of the heat she’d absorbed from the shower, and once she wrapped her hair in the towel, she didn’t feel like she was turning into Frosty the Snowman. She tiptoed back to her suitcase and found a pair of blessedly thick socks, pulling them over her feet before sliding them into her slippers. The dual layer would keep her from losing heat in her extremities.
She considered climbing under the covers and getting out the laptop, but the thought of sitting next to a hot fireplace was too enticing and won her over. She left the computer behind but took her phone and hesitantly headed for the living room. She was surprised to see Ryder back already. She’d thought it would take longer to fix up the pigs for the night.
But really, she was more intrigued at her view as he stoked the fire, bent at the waist so his jeans pulled tight across his rear and showed just how his muscled legs strained to keep him balanced. She leaned against the wall, watching him and wondering if his body felt as hard as it looked. She didn’t think there was an ounce of fat on his body, and she didn’t think there would be any give under her hands if she splayed them over his chest. Or that luscious backside.
Thankfully, he straightened and turned around, taking her focus from those assets. But it still didn’t do anything to cool her core temperature, since he wore a lopsided grin and the flames of the fire danced in his dark eyes. “Well, this is it,” he said, holding out his arms to encompass the room. “It’s not much, but this is what I’m fighting for.”
Amanda raised an eyebrow at him. “I thought we weren’t supposed to talk business.”
“My mistake,” he said with a smirk. “Look, I don’t know if you got to eat before the diner closed, but I haven’t had dinner, and I’m starving. I can make you something, but my culinary skills are severely limited. If it can’t be cooked in the microwave, I’ve pretty much got toast, eggs, soup, and sautéed vegetables under my belt.”
“Wow, that’s a pretty expansive menu,” she joked. “I’m not that hungry, but I could go for some eggs and veggies, if you’re up to it.”
“Sounds delicious to me. And you’re in luck. I can even make some toast to put it on like a sandwich. It’s my specialty.” He winked. “Come sit by the fire. I’ll be done in ten minutes.”
Oh boy, Amanda thought. Now he was making her dinner. She could let that fantasy go on for hours, landing in the same compromising position she’d been thinking about for the last two. Taking a seat on the hearth and warming her hands, she told herself to calm down. If this didn’t get better soon, she was going to have to stick her head out the window and let the freezing temperatures clear it. Or else walk out and sacrifice herself to the Yeti.
10
Ryder used the time alone in the kitchen to cool his heels. He’d been just fine when he’d come in, even knowing that Amanda was naked in his spare bathroom with rivulets of hot water pouring down her body. But when he’d looked up and seen her staring at him with more heat than he felt coming from the flames next to him, it had caused an instant reaction that threatened a nuclear explosion.
He couldn’t explain why a single glance from a woman he’d met this morning and hated on principle alone affected him so strongly. Ryder wasn’t the kind of guy to get his drawers in a twist easily. He’d had his share of women, but it had always been casual, and while he’d found them attractive, he’d truly had a take-them-or-leave-them attitude. But he couldn’t seem to turn off the part of his brain that seemed to be so aroused by Amanda.
He had to admit that even having a virtual stranger who posed a threat to the sanctity of the community in Five Forks in his house made it feel less lonely. In fact, for the first time since his mother had died, the place was full of energy. When it had been just him and his father, Ryder had managed not to feel alone. But it had still felt dead, the air motionless. It was like Amanda breathed life back into the house. How was that even possible?
He nearly burned the veggies as he tended the eggs, too deep in thought, and he had to dump them out quickly to avoid disaster. The toast popped up just in time, and he was glad he’d turned on the coffee pot. He needed something strong and bitter to take away these ridiculous thoughts.
He put together two plates and added two mugs of coffee to a tray that he carried into the living room and set on the coffee table. “I’ll be right back with cream and sugar,” he mumbled, realizing most women tended to doctor their coffee.
“It’s all right. I can drink it black. It’ll do me some good.” She smiled at him and reached for the cup, wrapping her hands around it. Was she still cold, or was that nerves? Ryder reached for his, too, using it to keep his hands occupied. They didn’t want to obey him and kept trying to sneak out and touch Amanda, just to see if her skin was as soft and smooth as it appeared. “Thank you,” she said, taking a sip.
“Thank me after you taste it. If you hate it, I don’t think you’re going to be very thankful,” he teased. But he knew it was going to be fabulous.
She shrugged and forked a messy bite into her mouth, toast and all, and the tiny spot of butter at the corner of her mouth made Ryder want to lean in and lick it off. When she stuck her tongue out and caught it, he barely masked a groan. Didn’t she know how enticing that gesture was?
She rolled her eyes and moaned, adding another layer of agony on top of the others. “This is delicious. I thought you said you couldn’t cook.”
“I believe you have three of my four exceptions on that plate,” he said lightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched into a grin. “Glad you like it.”
She nodded, and they ate in silence. Ryder felt awkward, but Amanda didn’t seem to notice as she stuffed her face. She didn’t eat carefully, which he found endearing. She ate like she had an appetite, honestly and with passion. It was another sign that she was human, he supposed, and he wanted to kick himself in the teeth for watching for those little quirks. It was like he purposely tortured himself.
Deciding to start a conversation in hopes of distracting himself, he asked, “What made you decide to be a lawyer?”
She froze with the fork halfway to her mouth, staring at him like he’d asked the name of her second head. Then, she set it down and told him, “I remember reading John Grisham when I was young. I think The Pelican Brief was the first one I read. But the way he spun the adventure of being an attorney had me addicted to the idea. And once I got to college, I found it easy to develop a passion for the law.”
He frowned at her. “So, how did you end up at a law firm that doesn’t even try cases?”
“There’s nothing wrong with what I do, Ryder. It’s still practicing law, and I’m on my way to making partner. I’m quite good at it, and I have a chance at an incredible career.”
“I’m not dogging it. But believe it or not, I’ve read some Grisham, and I know that what you do is nothing like what his characters do.” He pointed his fork at her. “You’d make a great District Attorney.”
She wrinkled her nose, and it was absolutely adorable. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”
“It’s not an insult. You screamed at me this afternoon for questioning your integrity. Out here, integrity is one of the most important character traits you can have. Seriously, Amanda, you should think about criminal law.”
She looked down at her empty plate with a strangely disappointed expression. “I considered that. But really, my father wouldn’t have approved. He was a politician, and he always said that criminal law didn’t leave many open doors for advancing to other things. So, I balanced my passion with my plan for the future.” She gestured toward him with her chin. “What about you? Why’d you take the position of fire chief?”
He hadn’t considered that Amanda might return the question, and he didn’t know exactly how to word it. “I worked the ranch with my father, but as my mother’s Alzheimer�
�s got worse, I needed a way to escape, so I trained as a fireman. I’m one of the best at putting out a blaze, but then my father’s health started failing, too. I couldn’t do the physical work on the ranch and the physical work with the station, so I switched to the administrative role. Now that it’s just me and I still have the help in growing season out here, I’ll take a couple of shifts with the first responders, just to get out of the quiet of an empty house. But I take my responsibility for the safety of the people in my jurisdiction seriously, and I guess at this point, I don’t trust anyone else to make it as big a priority.” He met her gaze, and their eyes locked. Ryder couldn’t seem to pull away, and his heart sped out of control.
His pulse was hot and fast through his veins, and he wanted nothing more than to either lunge at her and strip her naked beneath him or to run from the room and hide in his bed until the storm blew over and he could take her back into town. Knowing neither was an option, he just held his breath and waited for something to break the spell.
11
Longing. There was no other description for what passed between Amanda and Ryder in that long moment in which time stopped. They shared a million “what ifs” in that space of time, and Amanda knew that one of them had to bring them back to reality before they fell into the delusion of an alternate universe where it would be completely acceptable to jump in bed together.
So, as painful as it was, and as much as she regretted it, she cleared her throat and shattered the bubble. She didn’t turn away, and neither did he. That would have been like tearing your ACL, something agonizing, and she couldn’t make herself go that far. Instead, she asked quietly, “Why aren’t you married?”
The Cowboy In Me (Wild At Heart Cowboys Book 2) Page 5
