by Cathryn Fox
Am I really considering this?
She took a step back, from Jag and the whole situation closing in around her. “Well, you should probably know that I’ve sworn off men,” she blurted out, still unsure about this whole setup. “In fact, I’m thinking about switching teams.”
His grin widened, his dark eyes smoldering with passion and laughter as he raised his hands in surrender. “Okay. So you’re playing for the other team now. That doesn’t mean you can’t hang out here and relax, does it?”
No, it didn’t, and truthfully, she just couldn’t face going home right now. She’d give herself this week, and then go back to her duties as a political daughter and administrator. Nelson, however, that was a different story. God, she’d been so stupid.
“I’ll tell you what,” he said, patience in his voice as his hands reached for hers. Every muscle in her body tightened. Would he be just as patient in the bedroom, taking his time to leisurely touch his woman’s body, slowly building her climax, carefully, methodically bringing her higher and higher until she tumbled into a powerful orgasm? “Come tomorrow, if you want to leave, I’ll make the arrangements.” He dipped his head, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “But if you change your mind and decide to stay, I promise to make it worth your while.”
Even though she’d already made the snap decision to stay, she clamped her mouth shut, wanting to hear what Jag had planned for her. “Worth my while?” How intriguing.
“Maybe I can rustle up a few cowgirls who can show you a good time.”
With his mouth inches from hers, Alix swiped her tongue over her bottom lip and knew he could see right through her lie. From the way her body reacted to his closeness, everyone within a fifty-mile radius could tell how much she’d rather play with a sexy cowboy. He shifted closer, and when he aligned his body with hers, a warm shiver tingled all the way to her toes.
“In the meantime,” he said, “why don’t we take the horses out, and I can show you around.” He gestured with a nod toward his camera case hanging on the hook inside the barn. “We can even take some pictures of the countryside, if you like.” Heat moved into his eyes as they traced her face. “Or whatever else you’d like to take pictures of.”
Alix’s pulse leaped in her throat. But she quickly calmed herself, her heart settling back to a steady rhythm. No way could Jag know that she did contract work for a photography studio, one that on the surface looked like any other business, but under the radar offered sensual photography to selective clientele.
He arched a questioning brow. “You still enjoy photography, don’t you?”
She bit back a moan and hoped like hell he couldn’t see her body’s reaction as she thought about the kind of photography she enjoyed. “Yes, but—”
“So what do you say then? Want to go for a ride with me?”
Ride? Need gathered in the pit of her stomach. What the heck was going on with her? She struggled to make sense of her reactions to him. How could she be thinking about sex with Jag after finding out her fiancé had cheated on her, and had a baby on the way?
Because you never loved him. Because you’re tired of being an obedient daughter and fiancée. Tired of always doing what everyone else expects of you, never calling the shots yourself.
But wasn’t this laid-back cowboy giving her the opportunity to do just that? If she did, would he judge her? Or would he push her and encourage her to be herself around him?
With the warm summer sun beating down on them, Jag looked over the beautiful but far too tense woman standing before him. Everything from the way the mayor’s daughter dressed to her rigid body language told him so much about her. She was cultured and elegant, yes, but that put-together, outward appearance was merely a disguise, one that hid who she truly was.
Back in high school, he caught glimpses of the real Alix, a girl who was only allowed to associate with people from her parents’ social circle. But now that he’d grown into a man with a successful career, he hoped she would look at him differently, give him a chance, and see that they might be good together.
At least I think we’d be good together.
A horse behind him whinnied, and he asked, “Have you ever ridden before?”
Her head jerked from side to side, his big hat swaying back and forth, making her look so adorable. “No. I always wanted to, but my mother thought horses were dirty creatures.”
Jag looked at her clothes. With sleeves that reached past her elbows and a dress that dipped below her knees, she was hardly outfitted for cowboy country. “Did you bring anything suitable?”
She crinkled her nose and looked herself over. “What do you consider suitable?”
“Come on, I’ll show you.” He captured her hand in his, and she stiffened slightly. Was she having second thoughts? He hoped not, because she obviously needed this vacation. He’d heard both sides of the phone conversation, and seen how crushed she looked as her mother pushed her around like she was nothing more than a pawn in a game of chess, and it was all he could do not to punch something. She didn’t deserve to be treated like that. Even if nothing more developed between them, he was glad he invited her, because she needed to let off some steam. Jag turned to her. “Alix,” he whispered in a soft voice. “Nothing will happen here unless you want it to, and besides, you already told me you were playing for the other team. Let’s just enjoy the day. And like I said, tomorrow if you want to leave, you can. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said, and as she exhaled, he watched her visibly relax.
“Your luggage has been brought to your room. Let’s go see if you have something you’ll be comfortable riding in. If you don’t, we can run into town and get you something.”
She opened her mouth like she wanted to say something more and then shut it again. Instead of pressing, Jag led her into the lodge. A few minutes later, he stood near her door while she rooted through her suitcase. She pulled out a pair of knee-length shorts and a white, long-sleeved blouse, then disappeared into the bathroom. She came back a few minutes later and held her arms wide.
Her eyes were hopeful as she smiled up at him. “This should work.”
Jag touched the sleeve on her blouse. Despite the air-conditioned room, her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink.
His gaze panned her face, and he breathed in the sweet, clean smell of her skin before settling on her big blue eyes. He dipped his head and asked, “Do you love this shirt? Is it a favorite?”
She shook her head. “It’s a shirt.”
He gripped the sleeve, and with one quick tug, ripped it from the seam. A gasp sounded in Alix’s throat as the fabric gave way, and her eyes widened.
“This will be much cooler,” he explained.
She nodded, and after he ripped the other sleeve free, he stood back to admire the beautiful body she always went to great pains to cover.
He walked to the bed, grabbed his Stetson, and put it back on his head. “You’ll need a hat.”
“I have one.” Excitement lit her face as she riffled through her suitcase and pulled out a wide-brimmed sun hat that could shade the entire ranch. “See!”
“Good.” Jag bit back a grin as his gaze panned her pale skin. Did she ever go outdoors?
He took the hat from her and placed it on her head, but it caught on her ponytail. She reached around, and instead of releasing it and letting her curls fall down her back, she tightened it and stuck her hair under her hat. Too bad. He wanted to see it loose. Wanted her to relax.
As a private investigator, it was his job to understand people, and sweet Alix was desperate for freedom—from her family, her duties, and her conservative self. Her needs and sexuality bubbled beneath the surface. She was drowning in it, and if she didn’t release it soon, let it break free, it would damn well suffocate her.
The lack of conviction in her voice when she insisted on returning home said she wanted to stay. The way she flushed when he moved close suggested he was part of the reason. She wanted to play, and he wanted to be her favorite toy
. And those photos she took in the back room of the studio where she worked… Yeah, he knew all about her naughty hobby. All she needed was the right playground to help her open up to him, and he knew just the place.
He grabbed her hand, need propelling him into action. “Come on, let’s go.”
Thirty minutes later, after saddling a horse for Alix and giving her a quick lesson on riding, he hopped on his stallion and guided her toward the horse trails. He shot her a glance and could tell she was nervous but trying to hide it.
“You’re a natural,” he said in a bid to relax her.
“And you’re a liar.”
Jag laughed, and it brought a smile to her pretty face. “Come on.” He snapped his reins and set his horse into a trot. He kept a careful eye on her as he led her along the river. The overgrown trees fringing the path provided an overhead canopy and offered them some much-needed shade. They entered a clearing, and Jag nodded to one of the ranch hands as a group of guests looking for a bona fide Old West experience pitched their tents and prepared for a night under the stars.
“Hey, Colt,” Jag said, thinking about the time he’d helped his buddy out on one of his weekend excursions. Christ, that was a night to remember: too much drink, too many women, and a morning he could’ve done without. But Colt was a good guy who taught Jag a few things about being a cowboy and made sure the guests left satisfied, especially the female ones who were here for a real Western experience with an authentic cowboy.
While Jag enjoyed his bachelorhood, and the ladies, he was damn tired of waking up with a random girl in his bed. Casual sex had lost its appeal, and he wanted more, needed more, which was why he’d invited Alix here for the week. He might not come from her circle, but he’d always been attracted to her. Back in the day, they chatted when he was setting up the equipment for her meeting or taking it down. Things had always been so easy between them, and despite hanging out with a group of stuck-up girls who wouldn’t dare give him the time of day, she’d always been kind to him, always so grateful when he helped her. Did they have a future together, or was he trying to rekindle something that existed only in his mind?
His glance roamed to her ring finger, taking in the circular indent. When he and his buddies, Coop and Mac, all co-owners of the ranch, had tasked his junior investigator with finding the three women from their past that they’d regretted letting go, the first report that came back said Alix was engaged. Jag had immediately pulled back. He’d be damned if he was going to home in on another man’s woman, no matter how much he thought about her over the years.
But when his investigator went on to further report that her fiancé was cheating on her, it had changed the game plan, and he had gone ahead and sent the invitation.
Even though he hadn’t known her as an adult, his protective instinct had kicked in. She didn’t deserve that type of treatment. She was a kind, hardworking soul, always had been. The fact that she didn’t wear her engagement ring and swore off men clued him in that she’d discovered the bastard was cheating.
He fisted his hands. While he’d like to beat the shit out of the guy for hurting her, he was glad she’d found out who he really was before going through with the wedding. And it gave Jag the opportunity to show her how a woman should really be treated, inside the bedroom and out. Where things went from there, time would only tell.
“Jag,” Colt greeted in return before sticking a blade of grass between his teeth.
Alix slowed her mare beside him, and Colt arched a curious brow, intrigue brewing in his eyes as he turned his attention to her.
“Is your little lady here looking for an authentic Old West experience?” He gave Jag a wink, no doubt thinking back to the women the two had shared on that wild weekend. “’Cause you know, I’m just the guy who can give it to her.”
Alix’s eyes widened, her glance going back and forth between Colt and Jag. She was a smart girl. No doubt she caught Colt’s sexual innuendos. “I—uh—no—”
“Alix, this is Colt. Stay away from him. He’s trouble,” he teased as he met Colt’s glance. “And for the record, any experience she wants, I can give to her.”
Colt laughed. “Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying now, can you?” Colt tipped his Stetson and winked at Alix, his voice full of humor and heat. “Nice meeting you, ma’am. And remember, if you want to learn the ropes from a real cowboy, you know where to find me.”
Grinning, Colt walked away. Jag gave a slow shake of his head and turned to Alix, who was watching the guests pitch their tents. He studied her for a moment, took in the childlike bewilderment in her eyes. Holy shit. “You’ve never been camping before, have you?”
She crinkled her nose. “That obvious?”
He nodded and tugged on the reins to get closer to her. “Seems like there are a lot of things you haven’t done.”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Been busy.”
He made a clucking sound with his tongue. “You know what they say about all work and no play.”
She looked down, a deep sadness on her face. “That’s me, dull.”
His heart squeezed. Shit, he hadn’t meant to make her feel unhappy. “Hey, you’re far from dull, Alix,” he said softly. She blinked up at him. “You just forgot how to have fun.” She swallowed, and as her eyes flitted over him with something that looked like want, he grabbed his canteen. “If you want, I can help you with that.”
“What are you suggesting?” she asked, and he smiled. He loved her direct questions.
He unscrewed the cap and handed it to her. She opened her mouth to swallow, and his pants grew tight as he visualized those plump lips on his body.
“Well, you did mention you were playing for the other side, right?”
“Yes,” she said, still sticking to that story.
He rested his hands on his saddle horn and looked into the distance. “Well, if you’re open to exploring something a little different, I know a place.”
She handed the canteen back to him, and he took a long pull.
Her face tightened warily, and she went quiet for a moment before saying, “I’m not sure.”
As her good girl warred with her need to let go, he held his hands up. “Hey, no pressure. It’s my job to make sure the guests have a good time and I just thought if you were curious…”
She angled her head, intrigue dancing in her eyes. “This place you’re talking about—”
“It’s a private ranch where cowgirls go to play,” he said.
The pulse at the base of her neck jumped and her breath came quick. “Oh.”
“I just thought—”
Her chin tipped, a spark in her eyes he’d never seen before. “You thought right.”
His head came back with a start and his cock thickened at the visual. Holy shit. Was she serious? He might want her in his bed, but if she wanted to experiment with the other team it would be wrong of him to stop her, right? His dude ranch catered to its guests’ needs and really, it was the honorable thing to do, and had nothing to do with him wanting to watch or anything.
Yeah, sure.
He coughed to hide his arousal. “Then let’s go.”
They rode for another hour, stopping to take in the scenery and snap a few pictures on the way to his destination.
As he approached the nearby property, the neighboring lodge coming into view, he slowed his horse. Alix came up beside him and gazed at the ranch overlooking the river.
Equal amounts of curiosity and fascination flashed in the depths of her eyes. “Where are we?”
Before Jag could answer, the front door to the lodge swung open and sweet Katy O’Grady stormed onto her porch, shotgun aimed.
Alix tightened, but Jag grinned and held his hands up in surrender. “Put down the gun, Katy. It’s just me.”
With the sun in her eyes, Katy kept the gun aimed his way. “Jag, is that you?”
He trotted closer so she could get a better look at her two trespassers. “Yeah, it’s me.”
Katy dropped
the weapon to her side. “You know better than to sneak up on me like that. I damn near shot you.” She shook her head in amusement and added, “Get on in out of the heat, you two, and join me on the back deck for a glass of lemonade.”
“What’s going on?” Alix asked, nervousness lacing her voice.
“She gets a lot of intruders. A lot of the local teenage boys try to sneak on her land for a peek.”
“A peek?” She frowned and looked around at the corrals and mountains, confused. “What exactly are they peeking at?”
He tossed her a grin and said, “Come on, I’ll show you.”
Chapter Two
They settled the horses, and Katy led them to the back deck. Alix sat next to Jag at a large round table overlooking the river. She shifted her chair to keep out of the sun as she glanced around, but then her gaze stopped abruptly. What the hell? She gulped air. When Jag said this was a place where cowgirls went to play, he wasn’t kidding. Even though he’d prepared her, nothing could have readied her to see two girls kissing in the river below. Sure, she photographed passionate couples in the private room of the studio, but this, well, this was unlike anything she’d seen through the lens of her camera.
A warm summer breeze filled with the scent of flowers washed over her but did little to cool down her overheated body. Of course, she wasn’t serious when she told Jag she was switching teams, but damned if he wasn’t playing a game with her…testing her by bringing her here.
She shot a glance Jag’s way. She expected to see him watching the girls, but instead found his gaze riveted on her. The pulse at the base of her neck fluttered. With his long legs spread out before him, he sipped his lemonade and continued to stare at her. He was waiting for her reaction, waiting for her to do, say something. It made her want to shock him—tease and torture him sexually.
