Destiny Wears Spurs Read online

  His muscle jerked, and he pulled away. “I’m fine. Don’t worry ‘bout me. What were you saying?”

  She opened her mouth.

  Oh, hell, he’d gotten her started again. Once that happened, it was a damn sight harder to turn her off. “I remember now. Be right back. Men’s room.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” She leaned forward to touch him again, and her full cleavage came into view.

  “Need a drink,” he croaked, avoiding her touch. Jesus, her body was one deadly weapon. Crossing the barn with long, purposeful strides, he headed to the bathroom and didn’t stop until he’d reached the sink and dunked his head.

  “Crazy woman’s trying to kill me,” he said to his dripping reflection.

  Sticking his head under the water again, he tried in vain to cool the heat burning up his body. He came up shaking like a dog, spraying the mirror with hundreds of tiny drops. Reaching for one of the towels Monica had hung out to dry, he thought of gigolo Buggy’s bath and changed his mind.

  Cody leaned against the wall, waiting for his arousal to go away, and shook his head in amazement. Crazy woman wasn’t wearing any goddamn underwear. No panty or bra lines beneath that tight little number.

  Layers, my ass.

  She acted like she wanted him as much as he wanted her, so what would be the harm in a little fling if she was willing? Hell, she was one of those do-for-yourself independent women who probably had affairs all the time. Wasn’t that the way of most women? Have a lover until you tire of him? That had been his experience so far. Well, he’d tire of her about the time she’d be ready to leave, so it would be mutual. No promises, no ties, no hurt feelings.

  Just the way he liked it.

  * * *

  Monica put away the last of the equipment and then exited the tackroom as Cody emerged from the back of the barn. “Oh, my. You’re wet.”

  “Yeah. I was hot.” Studly swaggered toward her, with his western shirt hooked over his index finger and draped down his back like some centerfold in a Sexy-Men-of-the-West calendar. Now that he stood before her, she was powerless to halt her greedy gaze from wandering over his impressive body.

  Gulp. Hot? Lord, was he ever.

  His hair tangled around his broad shoulders like he’d been caught in a thunderstorm, the black strands shiny and wet. The curly hair on his chest glistened with tiny drops of water. She tracked the path of a single drop rolling down his washboard abs, and her lips parted.

  He’d left his jeans undone? Double gulp.

  “Wh-What are you doing?” she asked.

  “What do you want me to do?” His hand relaxed, and his shirt dropped to the floor in a soft puddle. They stared at each other, and heat blazed. He exuded sex through every pore, and she felt her temperature rise as her gaze dropped lower.

  Triple gulp. Her temperature wasn’t the only thing rising.

  A bead of sweat slipped down through the valley of her breasts, and he followed its path, his eyes lingering. A muscle in his jaw flexed. His smoky-gray gaze wandered down her figure, burning into her. She saw the intent in his eyes as he made a step toward her. She blinked and took a step back, wondering what had come over him. Not that she didn’t like it, but this was pretty much a 180 for him.

  A slight smile hooked the corner of his mouth as he took another step toward her. She could feel his heat, and her body quivered.

  Monica had never dated anyone like him, hadn’t really dated much at all. She’d never been good at flirting and had focused all her energy on her art, so when Wendell had come into her life, he’d seemed like the perfect match. He was good-looking, came from a good background, and worked for her father’s company. But she’d found out the hard way, he wasn’t half the man he claimed to be.

  Her gaze wandered up Cody’s length, and her mouth went dry. There was obviously so much ... more. She had the strongest urge to find out just how much more. No. She couldn’t do this. It would be too darned hard to let this hunk of a man go when it was time for her to leave. Staying wasn’t an option.

  All the while her mind tried to sort out what was happening between them, Cody seemed to have a plan of his own as he steered her up against a wall. Literally.

  “Oh,” she said when her back bumped the rough boards. “You can drive your steer up my canyon anytime.”

  His lips formed a half-smile. “Glad to hear we’re on the same page.”

  Holy cow, had she really said that? She would never pull this campaign off in three weeks. And how in the world would she talk her way out of this one?

  By giving him another truly awful slogan, that’s how.

  “Uh... I mean... come drive a steer up a canyon anytime here at Rafferty’s Remote Ranch and--”

  “Miss Hammond.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m on a different page.”

  “Oh?”

  He stared at her with those penetrating eyes until her body burned.

  “Ohhh.” Her chest rose and fell, yet she couldn’t inhale enough air.

  When he raised his arms and braced his hands on the wall behind her, a moment of panic set in. It was all so intense. So magnetic. So powerful. He made her feel things she’d never felt, not even with Wendell.

  Her heart pounded and body trembled. She glanced toward the door. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not now. Not with him. She flattened her palms on his broad chest. “Wait, I’m not quite on the same page yet.”

  “You’re kidding, right? Are you even in the same book?” He stared at her.

  “Oh, I’m definitely in the same book, can’t put it down, in fact, but I’m pretty sure I’m still on the last chapter.”

  “Well, speed read, would ya?” Groaning, he tipped his forehead down and rested it on the top of her head.

  She didn’t want him to stop, but he radiated intoxication and it overwhelmed her. She needed a minute to catch her breath. It felt good knowing someone wanted her this much.

  “I’ve wondered all day if the hair on your chest was as soft as the hair on your head.” She stroked his chest with her fingertips.

  He lifted his head, and his eyes locked onto hers. “You sure you’re all caught up?”

  She repeated the featherlike caress again. “God, yes. I’m dying to find out what happens next.” Diving her fingers into the center of his chest where the hair was thickest, she pushed him back a step, and he blinked at her.

  She laughed, and he smiled.

  “Well, is it?” he asked, still smiling.

  “Is it what?” she asked, grinning back.

  “As soft as the hair on my head?”

  She left one hand on his chest and reached up with the other to run her fingers through his hair. Standing on her toes, she leaned forward to reach him better. When her breasts brushed against his chest, her nipples hardened in response.

  “What was the question?” she whispered.

  “I forgot.” His smile vanished.

  She stood still, her breath coming faster, in awe of the way her body responded to him. He reached out at the same time, only managing to tangle up their arms.

  “Hang on,” he said.

  Before she knew what he was up to, he spanned her waist and lifted her high and hard against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he crushed her to him then buried his face in the curve of her neck. He rested her back against the wall. She kept her legs wrapped tight around him as he cradled her face with one hand, making her feel cherished. Her eyelids drooped, and he kissed her forehead and then pressed her eyelids with his lips until she closed them. She felt him brush her lashes and circle her nose with his own.

  Cody ran his tongue across her jaw until he reached her ear. She tipped her head to the side to give him better access and moaned when he dipped inside, blowing warm, moist air. He bit her neck and then licked it. When he sucked gently, a soft sigh escaped her lips, beckoning him to taste her mouth. He rained tiny love kisses across her throat and under her jaw, stopping to nip her chin. Pulling back, h
e searched her face. Her mouth parted, and she caressed his lips with her breath. She licked her lips and he groaned deep in his throat, running his thumb across her bottom lip.

  It had been way too long since she’d done anything like this, she thought, and licked his thumb. His breathing grew heavy, and he stared. Way, waaay too long. Grinning, she did it again. When he dipped his thumb inside, she bit it, sucking like he had done to her neck. Cody groaned, pressing his hard arousal into the soft apex of her thighs as he claimed her lips with a fever she’d never known.

  Monica trembled, needing more of him. With a hunger that matched his, she grabbed his face and thrust her tongue into his mouth. He countered with his tongue, and the battle was on.

  They took turns attacking and retreating, their heads tipping from side to side while their tongues circled, glided and swept, attempting to touch and taste all. By the time they broke apart, she had never been so thoroughly kissed.

  His head rested against hers while they fought to catch their breath, and her fingers fisted in the back of his hair. His hands clasped her bottom, holding her tight against his unbuttoned jeans.

  “Wow,” she said.

  “Yeah, wow,” he seconded.

  When he thrust his hips against her most intimate spot, she gasped. Grinning, he caressed every inch of her fanny with his fingers.

  “You’re not wearing any underwear.”

  “They’re built in,” she replied, barely able to talk with his fingers working their magic. Then a thought came to her. She reached her hands behind him and slipped them down the back of his jeans to confirm her suspicions.

  “You’re not wearing any, either.” Oh, mama. “Do you realize we’re practically ....”

  “Surprise, surprise.” He chuckled over her astonishment, while her hands remained down his pants, holding his firm, bare buttocks. “I don’t know ‘bout you, but ‘practically’ isn’t enough for me. What do you say we make it definitely?”

  Smiling in return, she was more than ready to show him what she thought of ‘definitely,’ but the sound of horses’ hooves riding into the corral sliced through their web of desire.

  “Son-of-a ....” His grin disappeared, and he set her down on her shaky legs. He fastened his jeans, shoved one arm into the sleeve of his shirt, and then paused to stare at her clothes. Yanking his arm back out, he tossed his shirt to her, piercing her with an intense look. “This isn’t over.”

  She caught the shirt and arched a brow. “Who said it was?”

  * * *

  Cody stood at the end of the barn as Jake, Rusty and Hank entered. They looked around and seemed impressed with Monica’s work. Feeling a bit uncomfortable just standing there, he spoke. “You’re back early.”

  “We sure are, son. Funny thing, we couldn’t find a problem with the irrigation dam.” Jake stopped walking about halfway to him and puckered his wrinkled face. “Where’d your shirt go?”

  Cody cursed under his breath.

  “Yeah. Why do I smell my cologne?” Hank asked.

  Rusty whistled long and low.

  Jake and Hank swiveled in the direction of Rusty’s gaze and stared in the shadows of the far corner. “That you, Mo?” Jake gawked at her.

  “Hi, guys.” She stepped forward, turning bright red.

  “Is that Cody’s shirt?” Hank stared at her.

  “Yes, but it’s kind of a long story.”

  Cody couldn’t help grinning as she tried to pull his shirt lower than her sexy-as-all-get-out knees. It was provocative but a damn site better than her layers. No way in hell would he let her wear those layers in front of his men. She’d barely had time to button his shirt before the guys had strolled in, but she couldn’t do a thing about her wild hair and swollen lips.

  “Well, heck. We’re done early, darlin’. We’ve got loads of time.” Hank grinned, showing those damn dimples of his.

  “Whose are these?” Rusty held up her ripped clothes.

  “Well, those are mine, but that’s a long story, too.” She glared at Cody.

  Cody winced but added, “I think some animal of some kind tore them apart.” There was nothing he could say to make the boys think any different. Besides, they planned on sleeping together anyway and would have if his men hadn’t returned.

  “Sweetie, you don’t have to explain anything to us. We know all about you not feeling well, and Cody doing all the work yesterday, but he really should find a better place to take care of his business.” Jake shot him a disapproving look.

  Cody couldn’t win. Her winged brows drew together and she opened her mouth, but looked like she didn’t know quite what to say. She snapped it closed and nailed him with a scowl. Slapping her palms on her hips, she took a deep breath, getting ready to unleash a tirade on him, he was sure.

  What the hell. They all thought he was sleeping with her anyway, and at the moment, he couldn’t think of any other way to shut them all up. Slipping his hand under her hair, he cupped the back of her head and pulled her to him as he swooped down to cover her parted lips. He kept his eyes open and locked onto hers as he drove his tongue deep. Her eyes crossed and then rolled back as her lashes fluttered closed.

  Several minutes after kissing the sense right out of her, he broke away and winked at her dazed expression, biting back a grin as those sexy knees wobbled.

  Let her be the one to deal with his actions for a change.

  Monica swayed, staring at Cody in disbelief. She couldn’t believe he’d kissed her in front of everyone. “Wh-What the heck are you doing?” she whispered.

  He plopped his hat on his head, smirked, and then touched the brim, looking satisfied. “Miss Hammond. Boys. I’ll be heading on out now. Loads of work, and all.” He hooked his thumbs through his belt loops, causing his sculpted chest to flex, then pivoted on his boot heel and strode out the back door in nothing but his tight, bun-hugging jeans and sexy black hat.

  She swallowed, her throat dry, and stared at the deep V of his wide back, watching the sinewy muscles do a dance of pure masculinity as he swaggered out of the barn. Yum ... Yum ... Yum. She drooled, her gaze dropping to his delicious firm butt as he rounded the corner out of sight, then she jumped right out of her skin when Rusty’s long, low whistle rang out behind her.

  “Well, I’ll be,” Jake proclaimed in awe.

  “So that’s the way the wind blows.” Hank grinned.

  The men snickered but clammed up when she pinned them with a sizzling glare. “Here’s the scoop, boys. I am not, I repeat, not sleeping with the boss. Got it?”

  They wisely remained silent but nodded, looking like cowboy bobble heads. Maybe she’d add bobble heads to the ranch ad campaign.

  “Well, I’m starved. See you, boys.” She walked toward the front of the barn, stopping by the calf’s stall to lean over and kiss his downy head. Glancing over her shoulder, she bit back a chuckle and waved to the slack-jawed men, and then she waltzed out the door in nothing but her gym clothes and Cody’s western work shirt, swinging in the pleasant afternoon breeze.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “Now, girly, how can I help ya, if’n you ain’t heard halfa what I been tryin’ to tell ya?” Festus stood, with hands on hips, trying to scowl but not putting much effort into it.

  “I’m sorry, Cookie.” Monica laid her hand on his arm, causing him to blush. He’d insisted she call him Cookie, since everyone else did. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

  He began to talk, but her thoughts wandered once again.

  It was Friday. The end of another miserable week, with only a couple more to go. She hadn’t seen Cody last night because a storm had rolled in. He and the boys had been busy moving the breeding herd to the pasture shacks for safety, and he hadn’t shown up for dinner. How come he was avoiding her? After what they’d shared in the barn, she’d thought they’d decided to have a fling.

  Hadn’t he said he’d wanted to make it “definite?” Although, she wasn’t so sure about a fling now that he’d lied to her. Bobby’s grandmother wa
sn’t really sick. She was really dead. Dead since before Bobby was even born.

  Thanks to a sleepover with Cassie last night and a whole lot of wine, she’d found out Bobby hadn’t gone to help her at all. He was enjoying a paid vacation, courtesy of one lying Mr. Rafferty. Barn duty? She’d let him know what he could do with his “barn duty” just as soon as she saw him again. It had nothing to do with the fact that he didn’t want her around, she told herself.

  Nothing at all.

  Festus cleared his gruff throat. “As I was saying, when ya didn’t show up this mornin’, the boys headed out to the summer pasture to move the herd back, seein’ as how the storm’s over, and all. Cody left a list of Bobby’s chores fer ya to--”

  “Oh, he did, did he? Well, I won’t need that list. Let Cody do the boob’s chores himself.”

  Festus blustered, shuffling his feet, a pink glow tinting his snowy white beard. Monica couldn’t worry about offending him. She had to figure out what to do about the conveniently-absent Cody.

  “Now, where’d I put those bottles?” No matter how mad she was at Cody, she couldn’t abandon Buggy.

  Festus squirmed. “Don’t ya worry none ‘bout that ornery bugger. I fed him earlier. He’s mighty impatient if’n his belly’s not full when he wants it to be.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled and kissed the cook’s cheek. When he turned away, not quite hiding his flaming face, she swallowed a chuckle. “See you later.”

  “Ain’t ya gonna eat, girly?”

  “I’m not hungry this morning.”

  “But I gots lots of vittles left over, like ham or bacon, and the eggs ain’t too runny, neither. Are ya sure?”