Destiny Wears Spurs Read online

  “I want a lot of things, mostly to apologize for earlier.”

  “No need.” She held up her hand. “I won’t make the same mistake twice, believe me.” She turned around and continued practicing.

  Cody touched her on the arm and she froze in place, her breath making a sexy catch in her throat. “I’m no good with words, Miss Hammond.” She spun around and looked into his eyes, catching him off guard. “Good God almighty, woman, you make it damn near impossible not to want you.”

  Her eyes went round, but she didn’t speak. She didn’t breathe much, either, just stared at him like he was a freak or something. Hell, he couldn’t blame her. He’d been hot and cold the entire time he’d known her. She had him so confused he didn’t know which end was up anymore.

  All he knew was he wanted her with an urgency that scared the hell out of him. “Dammit. Stop looking at me like that.”

  She blinked, but her parted lips sent him over the other side of the mountain.

  Sliding his hand up her spine and plunging it beneath her hair, he pulled her to his waiting lips. His mouth brushed hers, tasting dust and feeling her breath puff against his face. She was warm with sunshine and body heat and smelled amazing for working herd all day. All the feelings he had been fighting poured out into that single kiss. She shivered, and he pulled back, staring at her for a full minute. What could he say? He took a quick breath and then turned and walked away.

  “Cody?” Her voice quivered with uncertainty.

  He looked back at her and she touched her lips, making him glance at her mouth. Raising his eyes, his gaze met hers. “Guess that run-in with the bull affected me more’n I thought. I’m gonna head on up to the house. See you tomorrow.”

  “I hope you feel better,” she called out.

  Feel better? Not likely.

  There was only one cure for what ailed him.

  * * *

  Monica hadn’t been able to sleep and, for once, arrived early to work, just at the sun crept above the mountains in the distance. She sat outside, watching nature stir, and thought about Cody. Hopefully, today’s outfit would work. She had to do something to relieve all this tension between them, or she’d never pull off this campaign and Wendell would win.

  And she would go to prison for murder.

  Adjusting her faded jeans, she tightened the wide belt she’d worn more for looks than function. The low-riding pants were so tight there wasn’t a chance in Hades they’d slide off. She smoothed her hands over her skin-tight T-shirt that molded her curves and exposed her belly button.

  Hank rounded the corner and came to a dead stop. “Hot tamales, mama.” His face flushed.

  Hank blushing? That was a good sign, Monica thought with a grin. “Thanks. I decided to try being a bit more hip.”

  He stared at her tightly-clad hips, and his slow smile revealed his dimples. “You’re most definitely hip.”

  “Good. I was worried I’d make a fool of myself again. I feel like a different person. It’s kind of fun, though.”

  “I’m all for having fun.” He winked.

  “I can’t wait to try the mechanical bull at the barbecue.”

  “Ever rope a calf?”

  “Rope a calf? Heck, no. Is it difficult?”

  “I was hoping you’d ask. Why don’t I show you, and you can add that to your list of new experiences?” His eyes danced as he snagged a rope from a fencepost.

  The amount of fun she was having surprised her. She loved trying new things and couldn’t wait to tell Nat about all of it, but her father would think she’d gone loony. Maybe she had.

  When Hank faced her, her mind emptied and she watched in awe. He tied a knot with such skill and ease the rope looked like an extension of his hands. Forming a large circle, he jumped back and forth through the loop with such grace he made it look like a dance. Her admiration grew as she watched the skillful flicks of his wrists control the rope. He twirled it high over his head and ....

  Threw it right at her.

  She yelped. In the blink of an eye, he’d roped her. Her arms were pinned to her sides, the rope tight beneath her breasts. About to tell him to let her go, she felt the first tug. “Very funny.” The man had outrageous down to a science.

  He just grinned.

  “Do I look like I have horns? You can let me go now.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I’ll bet you’re full of the devil.” His eyes filled with his own devilish intent as he slowly but surely reeled her in. Hank was a born flirt, and Festus’s warning about the randy cowboys came back to taunt her.

  “You’re full of something, and the devil doesn’t have squat to do with it,” she said as he drew her into his arms. There was only one randy cowboy’s arms she wanted around her.

  It wasn’t Hank’s.

  “Hank.” She raised her brow at him.

  He loosened the rope and lifted it over her head, chuckling. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I don’t bite.”

  Before she had time to respond, he spun her around and surrounded her with his arms. A protest formed on her lips, but he distracted her by putting the rope in her hands and showing her how to tie the knot. She became so absorbed in the task she barely noticed when he pulled her snug against him.

  Cody stood in the barn doorway, clenching his jaw. Scowling, he watched Hank put his hand over Monica’s to help her twirl the rope high, and they rotated to the rhythm of the swinging rope.

  They released the rope at the right moment, and it hit its mark square around the fencepost. She laughed in pure delight, hopping up and down in her excitement. Hank swung her around, praising her, but when he spotted Cody, his smile slipped and he set her down.

  Cody frowned. Keeping his jealousy in check proved difficult. Monica knew exactly what she did to his men--especially Hank--when she paraded around in her body-hugging, second-layer-for-skin outfits.

  “Thanks, Hank.” She laughed. “I’ve never had so much fun.”

  Cody’s scowl deepened and he ground his teeth, remembering a certain massage in her cabin, a certain steamy kiss in the barn. She had more fun riding a bale of hay with Rusty and throwing a damn rope with Hank than spending time with him? Maybe she really didn’t care who she had the fling with, so long as he wore a Stetson and boots. Just like his ex-wife. He’d be damned if he’d go down that road again.

  “No problem, Mo.” Hank dipped his head. “Gotta get to work. You keep practicin’, now.” He wandered into the barn.

  “I will,” she called out.

  “Interesting outfit,” Cody drawled, making his presence known.

  Jumping, she whirled around. “Cody. I had no idea you were standing there.”

  “Obviously.” He looked her over with distaste. “You’re supposed to be working on my campaign, Miss Hammond, not working over my men.”

  She plopped her hands on her hips, her brows puckering and jaw falling open. “Why, I never--”

  “Right. Next time, save the seducing of my men for your own time. Now you’re on my time, and I expect you to work.”

  She gasped. “I wasn’t trying to seduce your men. If you’d open your eyes, you’d see I was trying to--”

  “Save it. We’ve got work to do, and we’re wasting time on nonsense.” His eyes were wide open and he knew exactly what she was trying to do, but it wasn’t going to happen. He plopped his hat on his head as he strode into the barn. Let her chew on that for a while. Maybe she’d get the hint. Having an affair was a bad idea.

  * **

  At the end of the next day, Monica decided to take Nat’s advice again. She had to go to the dance with another man. If making Cody jealous was the only way she could get him to show up and get this affair rolling, then she’d do whatever she had to. No matter what he said, they both knew neither one of them could do their jobs if they didn’t do something about the tension between them. Having an affair was the only solution. Once they got each other out of their systems, everything could get back to normal. Hank was the perfect person to take as
a date because getting serious was the last thing he wanted, and Cody wouldn’t be able to stand back and watch Hank in action.

  Monica called out across the barnyard, “Hank. Before you go to dinner, could I speak with you?”

  “Anytime, darlin’, but I have to finish up out here first.” His horse nickered as Hank walked her out.

  “Great. I’ll be waiting.” She smiled as she strolled into the barn, concentrating hard on swinging her hips, and nearly ran into the door. Pressing her lips together, she hurried the rest of the way in.

  When Cody strode in a few minutes later, she decided he’d seen and heard enough. He hesitated when he saw her talking to Buggy and looked like he wanted to say something.

  She waited, hoping he’d stop being so stubborn. Nothing. The man was almost as pig-headed as her father. He ended up nodding hello, stiffly, then stomping off to his office. But he left his door wide open. Well, that was something, at least.

  Hank entered the barn. She’d get Cody’s attention or die trying. She could be stubborn, too.

  “Hey there, pretty lady,” Hank said. “You wanted to see me?” He swaggered over and swept his white hat from his head. Running a hand through his blond waves, he tossed the hat on a hook and sat on a bale of hay, patting his knee. “Have a seat. Let’s talk.” He wagged his eyebrows.

  She laughed. “You really are outrageous, you know.” She sat down next to him but not on his knee. “I’ll bet you’ve left a string of broken hearts in your wake.”

  He fixed innocent, pale-green eyes on her. “Why, Miss Hammond. I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. I’m just a lost puppy, looking for the right owner to take him home.” His puppy dog eyes pleaded. “Wanna take me home, Mo?”

  “Sorry. No pets allowed in my building.” She laughed again, thinking no woman stood a chance against all that charm. Except maybe Nat. She was just like him. And herself, because she was probably the only female on earth who wasn’t into him. She was into another cowboy, who was too darn stubborn to admit what he wanted and go for it.

  “Ah, the story of my life.” Hank sighed, giving her a devilish wink. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

  “Well, I was wondering if you had plans for tonight?” she asked louder than necessary.

  He arched a brow and blinked. “Well, now, that depends on why a pretty little filly like you is asking.”

  “Since I’m trying all these new experiences, I thought it’d be fun to learn the two-step, and maybe some of the country line dances,” she said even louder.

  “Really, now.” He leaned away from her, wiggling his pinkie in his ear. “Little lady, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been dancing since I learned how to walk.”

  “Wonderful.” She glanced over her shoulder.

  He looked beyond her, and his eyes widened when he saw Cody’s open office door. He winked and whispered, “It’s about time you two got together,” then raised his voice to match hers as he finished with, “You’ve got yourself a date. Though, I can’t believe you haven’t been snatched up yet.”

  She thought it was about time as well. Now, if she could only convince Cody. “No one else has asked me, so I guess that makes you my first cowboy.”

  “The men around here are crazy fools if you ask me, but I’m not complaining. You won’t be disappointed.”

  “I guess I’d better go practice my fancy footwork, so I won’t disappoint you.” It was hard to purr while shouting.

  “No chance of that, darlin’.” He glanced at Cody’s door again and chuckled, hollering over his shoulder as he left, “I’ll come by at seven. We’ll walk over to the barbecue together.”

  Monica nodded, waited a beat, and then said goodbye to Buggy. Turning to leave, she peeked at Cody’s office door, which was still wide open. Had he heard? He had to have heard.

  The people in the next county had to have heard.

  She sure hoped he did, because the thought of coming up with another idea gave her a headache. As she strolled out of the barn, a loud slam and an angry curse rang out behind her. Oh, he’d heard, all right. Now, she wondered what he was prepared to do about it.

  She danced back to her cabin to get ready for what was sure to be an interesting evening.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Monica fanned her face with a cocktail napkin, sipped a glass of Planter’s Punch, and then sighed in pleasure. The cool evening breeze felt heavenly against her heated skin. She’d tried every line dance there was, without much success. This city chick did not know how to get jiggy with it.

  Hank had been a wonderful dance partner and a good sport, but Monica knew he had his eye on a pretty redhead. She’d turned him loose to have a little fun while she took a breather. The evening had been perfect except for one small detail.

  Cody hadn’t bothered to show up.

  Trying not the let her disappointment ruin the night, she plucked at the front of her full peasant skirt with the wildflower print and smiled. The skirt wasn’t something she would normally wear, but it was pretty. She tucked in her white, billowy peasant blouse and, after a moment’s hesitation, pulled the sleeves off her shoulders. Why bother?

  Deciding not to waste another second stewing over a stubborn cowboy who didn’t know a good thing when he saw it, she marched toward the bull pen.

  “There you are,” she said to Rusty. “I’m ready to ride.”

  “Well, alright then.” Rusty nodded and led the way to the mechanical bull pen.

  “Hey, Cassie,” Monica framed her mouth and shouted above the crowd, “come watch me make a fool of myself.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.” Cassie winked and jogged over to join them.

  The mechanical bull stood in a roped-off area beyond the dance floor, with a number of thick mats surrounding it for safety. The mats were covered with loose hay to give it an authentic feel.

  Monica signed the release form without hesitation, freeing the ranch from any responsibility should she be injured, and stared at the monstrous contraption. Rusty started to say something, but Monica ran a few steps, slapped her hands on the back of the beast and jumped high, doing a straddle in mid-air like a cheerleader. She landed perfectly, with a flurry of skirts billowing around her.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered instead.

  The musicians stopped, and everyone stared. Cheers broke out, and Monica beamed. The bull rotated slowly, but when she proved able to handle the ride with ease, the controller moved the lever, increasing the speed, spin and ferocity of the bucks.

  Letting herself get lost in the moment, oblivious to all but the ride, Monica rode the bull until the buzzer went off after eight seconds. When the machine finally stopped, the crowd cheered, tugging her back to reality. She’d never felt this alive. She climbed down, and the very air around her seemed to vibrate.

  “Since when have you liked being on ‘top’, darling?” a male voice said from behind her.

  A chill swept over Monica, and her good mood plummeted to her boots as she turned to stare at the perfectly groomed, perfectly sophisticated, perfectly out-of-place Ken doll. Thank God she wasn’t Barbie anymore. “Wendell. Why am I not surprised to see you, darling?” she drawled back at him.

  “Honestly, Monica, this is beneath you. I mean literally. Bull riding? Line dancing? Country music, for God’s sake. What were you thinking? Look at how you’re dressed.”

  “You’re worried because I’m good at it. It’s inspired me. I’d show you what I’ve come up with, but you might try to ‘steal’ it from me. I’m onto you, pal. Trust me; it’s not going to happen.”

  “You can’t prove anything.”

  “I don’t need to. I just need to convince Rafferty to go with my campaign, and convince my father I can handle running his company. You lose. By the way, I’m having a great time without you. Have you looked in the mirror lately?” She glanced over his stiffly pressed dress shirt, pleated trousers, right down to his tan loafers and wondered briefly why they no longer appealed to her.


  “You can’t be serious. You don’t fit in here. Do you actually think you’re one of them?”

  “No, I ....” Did she? Shoot, why’d she have to hesitate?

  “Good God, you really do.” He looked stunned and more than a little amused.

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She willed the heat not to climb her neck and changed the subject. “I’m practicing your ‘hands-on’ approach to advertising, but even you would be out of your element here.”

  “You would be surprised what I can do.”

  “Yeah?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Prove it.”

  “Oh, I’m not dressed for--”

  “It’s mechanical. It’s not going to sweat all over your Armani pants, for crying out loud.”

  Wendell glanced around at all the people watching and loosened his tie. “Fine.” He marched over, signed the release form, and clambered on top of the mechanical bull, winking at a woman in the crowd as he said to the controller, “Turn it on, Roy. Let me show these ladies how a city boy likes to ride.”

  Monica clamped her teeth down hard on her tongue, halting the comeback that desperately wanted to break free. The bastard wasn’t worth her time, she thought, and stepped back to watch. Maybe the weasel would fall off.

  The mechanical bull moved slowly while Wendell rotated to the rhythm, not doing a bad job, she admitted. He nailed her with a smug look and said, “Is this hands-on enough for you, or do you need me to show you how a real man does it?”