The Rancher Returns

by Brenda Jackson

  “Is there?”

  “Undoubtedly. I’m here to do a job...that is, if you let me stay to do it. But under no circumstances am I here for your pleasure, Gavin. I don’t play those kinds of games. Evidently just because we shared a kiss last night, you’ve gotten the wrong idea about me. I need to set the record straight now. So hear me and hear me good.” She leaned part of the way over the table toward him. Although his face was void of any expression, she was certain she had his undivided attention.

  “I am not here to engage in an affair with you, if that’s why you want to know about my sex life.” Or lack thereof. But that was something he didn’t need to know.

  * * *

  Gavin didn’t say anything. He knew she assumed his attention was on her words. In truth his attention was on the mouth delivering those words. Her lips were perfectly shaped with a little cute dip in the center. He liked the play of that mutinous tip whenever she frowned and how those same lips folded pensively when she appeared in deep thought. But more than anything, he couldn’t forget how those lips felt beneath his. Their lushness. How delicious they’d tasted. How sweet.

  When she got quiet after delivering her spiel, he figured she thought she had set him straight. Far from it and it was time to let her know where he stood. “Are you finished?”

  She seemed surprised by his question, but nodded nonetheless and said, “Yes, I’m finished.” She then straightened in her chair, her posture a lot more relaxed than it had been moments ago.

  “Evidently, there’s a lot you don’t understand about sex, Layla.”

  Her body tensed again. And somehow those gorgeous lips looked even more sensual. “What’s there to understand?” she asked.

  Gavin continued to study her. He saw her nonchalant expression and noted her features had taken on a blasé look. Her apparent indifference to this discussion of sex could mean only one thing. She’d been cheated of something he considered as vital as breathing. Reaching her level of success in such a short period of time meant something had been sacrificed. An active sex life, perhaps?

  “I want you and you want me,” he said, deciding to point out the obvious.

  “And?”

  He forced himself not to smile, thinking she was pretending not to have a clue. Then it occurred to him that maybe she wasn’t pretending. Maybe it was time to explain to her what it meant whenever a woman became the object of his personal fantasies.

  “And...” he said, “we will sleep together.”

  She sat up in her chair, straightening her spine. Her lips went from sensual to tense but turned him on even more just the same. “No, we will not,” she said adamantly.

  He smiled. “Yes, we will. It’s inevitable.”

  She frowned. “No, it’s not. Just who do you think you are?”

  He figured it was time she knew the answer to that. “A man who wants you. A man who intends to have you. A man who will show you, Layla Harris, just what you’ve been missing.”

  * * *

  Layla tried to keep her heart from pounding deep in her chest, while at the same time fighting off the heat stroking through her body. She knew she shouldn’t ask but she couldn’t hold back.

  “And just what do you think I’ve missed?”

  “Hot, raunchy, mind-blowing sex. Evidently over the years you’ve been too preoccupied with other things to indulge. Don’t you know it’s not good to deprive your body of meeting certain needs?”

  Her frown deepened. “I haven’t deprived my body of anything.”

  “Haven’t you? Why do you think you’re so attracted to me?”

  Layla actually rolled her eyes. Really? Honestly? Had he looked in the mirror lately? When was the last time he’d studied all those photos Ms. Melody had plastered on the walls. Any woman would be attracted to him. Even now he sat there not doing anything and still looked sexy as hell with that well-toned body of his. And here she was sitting across the table from him. Right within kissing distance.

  As far as she was concerned, Gavin Blake was eye candy of the richest kind. Passion personified. But she definitely wouldn’t tell him that. She would deny everything he’d said with her last breath if she had to.

  “I am not all that attracted to you.” At least she hadn’t completely lied and said she wasn’t attracted to him at all.

  “You want me to prove otherwise?”

  What was it with men always wanting to prove things when it came to sex? “No, thanks. That’s not necessary.”

  “I think that it is.”

  He’d said the words in a low, vibrating tone with a sexy rumble she wished she could ignore. But there was no way, what with all the shivers oozing down her spine. “Are you trying to scare me off, Gavin?”

  He lifted a brow. “Scare you off?”

  “Yes. Say all these things so I get angry enough to leave the ranch, sparing you the trouble of making a decision one way or the other about whether I can dig on your land or not.”

  “Is that what you think?”

  To be honest, she didn’t know what to think. She needed his land and all he had on his mind was sex. That made her wonder...

  “Then are you trying to box me into a corner? Implying that I will have to sleep with you before you’ll give me permission to dig?”

  Gavin shook his head. “I would never put pressure on you to sleep with me. But be forewarned, Layla. If you hang around here doing that dig, we will sleep together. There’s no way we won’t. Your own body will betray you. When it does, I will be ready for the opportunity.”

  Seriously? If he thought her body would eventually weaken, he didn’t know her. And that was the point, one she couldn’t lose sight of. He didn’t know her. He didn’t know about her dedication when it came to her work. Nor did he know of her ability to be single-minded when it came to her career goals. She could put everything out of her mind except what was most important. She was driven to be successful in her field, and she wouldn’t let Gavin—or any other man—stand in her way.

  He was pretty sure of himself where women were concerned. A man couldn’t look like him, be built like him, and not be in demand and get any woman he wanted. All Gavin had to do was snap his fingers and she figured the women came running. Being denied anything from a woman would be foreign to him.

  “Think whatever you want, Gavin, but I’m not the kind of woman you’re used to. I won’t break.”

  He rubbed his hand over his chin as he studied her. “Would you want to bet on that?”

  Layla frowned. She had no intention of betting on anything and she proceeded to tell him that. He only smiled, and it was one of those smiles she was getting to know too well. The one that made her body sizzle when it should make her angry. His smile all but said he had her where he wanted her.

  “Would you be willing to bet on it to guarantee your dig on the Silver Spurs?”

  That piqued her interest. “Depending on what you have in mind.” She hoped she was not setting herself up for something she would regret.

  * * *

  Gavin held back his gotcha smile. Little did Layla know but his teammates didn’t call him Viper for nothing. To some, a viper might be considered a spiteful or treacherous person, but for him the name meant he knew how to capture his prey using any means necessary. Striking when they least expected it. He wanted her in his bed willingly and he intended to do whatever it took to get her there. It was time to push his agenda.

  “I’m willing to make a deal, Layla.”

  “What sort of a deal?” She held his gaze.

  Did she know how beautiful her facial features were? How striking her bone structure? He could sit for hours and stare, taking her in. But doing so would make him want her even more than he already did. Before he’d met her, he couldn’t have imagined that degree of need for any woman. But he could imagine
it for her.

  He lifted his shoulder in a half shrug as if what he was about to say wasn’t of grave importance. As if he really didn’t care one way or the other if she took the deal or left it on the table.

  “I’m not as convinced about this buried loot as you and my grandmother seem to be,” he said. “And I doubt reading any report will make me change my mind. But wanting you in my bed will,” he said bluntly, needing her to fully understand what he was saying.

  “This is the deal,” he continued. “I will let you dig, regardless of what I think. If you find something, great. You will have proven me wrong. I will be happy for you. Be the first to congratulate you on a job well done. However, if you come up with nothing then you admit you want me as much as I want you and we sleep together.”

  “You are counting on me failing? And plan to take advantage of me if I do?”

  The thought was firing her up. He could tell. The flash of fire in her eyes told it all. “You shouldn’t worry about failing. Unless you think you will. If there’s some doubt in your mind regarding the accuracy of your research, then I understand if—”

  “My research is on point. There’s no doubt in my mind about anything.”

  His smile spread across his lips. “In that case, do we have a deal?”

  Five

  At that moment Layla realized just what was going on. Whether it was his intent or not, Gavin was forcing her to believe in herself, to prove that she was right in her belief that Jesse James had buried treasure on Gavin’s land.

  “Well?”

  The determination was clear in his eyes. He intended to sleep with her. She was just as determined that he wouldn’t. She didn’t like the deal he’d offered. In all honesty, she should be appalled by it. Instead she saw it as her chance to prove she was above the desire he couldn’t stop talking about. She would find Jesse James’s loot. She had no doubts. There was no need getting irritated that he was a typical male who thought a good roll between the sheets was the answer to everything. She would never be able to convince him that when it came to sex, she had always been able to take it or leave it, no matter how tempting it was to indulge. He would find that out for himself.

  She’d be free to run her dig and make the finding of not only her career but of a lifetime. She wouldn’t think about the traitorous voice that said it might be nice to lose this bet and get the consolation prize...

  “Fine.”

  He lifted his brow. “Does that mean you accept the deal?”

  “As long as you give me your word you won’t try to hinder me and my team in any way.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.”

  Yeah. Right. There was no reason for her to trust he wouldn’t do just about anything to make sure the result worked out in his favor. Another typical male trait. No man liked losing. “Whatever you say.”

  “You’re going to have to trust me.”

  Layla rolled her eyes. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t know you enough to trust you.”

  “I can remedy that.”

  “Don’t do me any favors.” Layla eased out of her chair, feeling like she’d mentally run a marathon. “So will you give me your word as a SEAL that you won’t try anything underhanded?”

  “You think my word as a SEAL means something?”

  “Yes. SEALs are a special team of men who take the job of protecting our country very seriously, and they live by a code of honor and integrity.”

  Gavin nodded. She was right. “And you know this how?”

  “My father’s cousin used to be a SEAL. He retired a few years ago, but he told us all about them. At least what he could share. A lot of the stuff he did was classified.”

  “The majority of our missions are,” Gavin said.

  “So, will you give me your word?”

  “Yes, you have my word.”

  * * *

  As far as Gavin was concerned, getting her into his bed before the dig began would not be interfering with the job she wanted to do.

  “Good.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late. I’m sure you need more sleep. However, if you need help with the dishes, then I—”

  “No, I don’t need help with the dishes. That’s what dishwashers are for.”

  “Do you still want to see where we plan to dig?”

  “Yes. I want to know what you have planned on my property and where.”

  “No problem.”

  “Then I’ll come by the cottage in the morning,” he said, standing, as well. “Come on. I’ll walk you back.”

  She shook her head as she put on her sweater. “That’s not necessary.”

  “It is for me, Layla. I’ll walk you back.”

  She didn’t deny him, maybe she didn’t want to appear ungrateful. She headed for the door and when she reached out to open it, he moved his hand forward, as well. She didn’t seem aware that he’d been standing so close behind her. His fingers closed over hers and his chest was flush against her back.

  “I can open the door, Gavin,” she said, glancing over her shoulder, obviously flustered at his nearness. He loomed over her five-foot-three-inch height. He stood so close he could smell her with every breath.

  “Your choice.” Releasing his hand from hers he eased back. She opened the door and inhaled the cool Missouri air.

  “Nice night, isn’t it?” he asked her. He walked beside her now.

  “Yes, it is a nice night.” She glanced over at him again. “Glad to be home?”

  A smile touched his lips. “Yes. It’s always good to be home. Time to go from SEAL to rancher.”

  “Is it that easy?”

  “I’m used to it now. I have good men working for me who make the transition less difficult.”

  She nodded. “You love being a SEAL?”

  “Yes.”

  “I understand your father and grandfather were SEALs.”

  Gavin wondered what else his grandmother had told her about their family. “Yes, they were SEALs. So I guess you can say it’s in my blood. What about your folks? Are they college professors like you?”

  “No. They’re both neurosurgeons. I didn’t follow in their footsteps. Medicine didn’t interest me.”

  He hadn’t asked her to explain, but the fact that she did led him to believe her choice of a career was a sore spot with someone. “You are your own person, Layla.” She was definitely her own woman, he thought further to himself. “Just because following in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps worked for me, doesn’t mean following family tradition works for everybody.”

  She didn’t say anything for a minute. “My parents wanted me to be a mini-them and go to medical school. But I couldn’t. I’m not a healer. I’m a historian.”

  “Then you did the right thing by following your heart. When did you decide on archaeology?” Gavin wondered if she noted how in sync their steps were.

  “In my junior year of high school.” She paused as if she was remembering. “My history teacher had gone on an excavation in Egypt the summer before and told us about it. I found it fascinating how her team was able to dig up artifacts, how they found history buried beneath the earth’s surface. It made me realize that’s what I wanted to do.”

  “Why Jesse James?”

  He heard her chuckle and the sound stimulated him in a way he wished it didn’t. “Why not Jesse James?” He heard the amusement in her tone. “I used to watch Westerns with my grandfather whenever I visited him in New Orleans. He was a fan of the outlaw Jesse James. He read a lot of books about him. Watched movies and documentaries. I shared his love and interest. That’s how my research began. And it’s only grown over the years.”

  He heard the passion for her subject in her voice. It was there whenever she spoke about her work. She believed in it. If there had been
any doubt in his mind before, there wasn’t now. She would risk sleeping with him to prove her work.

  She’d be disappointed not to find what she was searching for. But Gavin looked forward to helping her get over the disappointment. He didn’t believe for one minute that James’s loot was buried on this land. It wasn’t. He recalled years ago when he’d been in high school, his father had given some outfit permission to check out the land because there was a chance of finding oil. They’d come up with nothing then, and he was certain Layla and her team would come up with nothing now.

  “I guess this is where we need to say good-night.”

  They had reached the party house. Her words told him he wouldn’t be invited inside. Maybe that was for the best. He doubted he could keep his hands off of her if they were behind closed doors. And regardless of what she thought, she wouldn’t resist him. Last night’s kiss had proven that. He wasn’t worried about the outcome of the deal between them. Like he’d told her, eventually her body would betray her and she would break. What had happened in his grandmother’s kitchen when their hands touched at the door was a prime example of the intensity of the desire between them.

  “So what time do you want us to meet tomorrow?” she asked, reclaiming his attention.

  “I need to ride out with Caldwell and my men at the crack of dawn to check on a few things. I’ll be back around ten. Will that time work for you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. We can ride in my truck.”

  “Alright. Good night.”

  She turned toward the door, intent on opening it quickly and going inside. He was just as determined not to let her get away that easily. Reaching out, he wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her close to him.

  “What do you think you’re doing, Gavin?”

  “This.”

  Lowering his head, he claimed her mouth in a long, passionate kiss. She didn’t push him away. Instead, she pulled him closer. Emotions he hadn’t expected pushed him to let her know with this kiss just how much he wanted her.