Crazy for Lovin’ You (6 page)

With his back to her, he stood looking out the window. “You and your sister must have had quite a time growing up in this house.”

Instantly the glow sputtered out. And it was so simple she was surprised that she hadn't seen it immediately. He'd picked this particular room
because
it used to be Jensen's.

Before she could stop it, a pain zigzagged through her. Even though she knew better, she hadn't been able to prevent it. A testament to the power Mitch Rafferty still held over her. And only one small tile and porcelain room between them. Just what she needed. Another challenge to getting through the next four weeks.

First priority would be to move to a separate floor and into the maid's quarters.

He turned from the window and met her gaze with a quizzical one of his own. “Earth to Taylor.”

“Sorry,” she said, rubbing the bridge of her nose with one finger. “I guess my mind was somewhere else. Did you say something?”

He crossed the room and stood in front of her. “I just wondered if you found it lonely here, now that the rest of your family is gone.”

“No. Anywhere else I probably would be, but not here on Stevens land. My roots are here and they go deep,” she said. Then she noticed the flicker in his eyes. “I'm sorry, Mitch. I know that's a sore spot. I didn't mean to touch on something uncomfortable for you.”

He shook his head. “It doesn't bother me. Not anymore.”

“So you've come to terms with your past?”

“Part of it,” he said.

The part that didn't include Jen, she guessed. But she'd already stuck her foot in her mouth once. Wild horses couldn't drag a question about her sister from her lips.

“So where do you call home now?”

He shrugged. “Nowhere. At least I don't own property anywhere,” he clarified.

“Surely you don't live in a cave?” she teased. “That'd be tough. Cave property in Texas is scarce.”

He grinned. “Under a rock is more like it,” he answered, joking back.

Times like this were the hardest, Taylor thought. This was when she missed him most, when he baited, bantered and bothered her.

This was when she was in the most danger of making a damn fool of herself all over again. Time to head for the hills.

“Well, that's the whole tour. I've got work to do, so I'll leave you to settle in,” she said, hoping she didn't sound too abrupt. But she had to get out of there. She started backing out of the room.

He followed. “To answer your question, I lease a condo in L.A. My business is based there.”

“I see,” she said, as they walked side by side down the hall. He would no doubt be going back when his obligations in Destiny were fulfilled. “Do you like California?”

“Yeah,” he said nodding. “But I'm looking for other opportunities around the country. There are areas of Texas growing faster than anywhere else in the country. Industrial and business centers and shopping malls are going up fast.”

“Really?”

“That's right. Actually, Destiny is growing. I'm looking at some projects around here.”

“So is that why you took on volunteer work for the rodeo? Business contacts? Put your name out there?” Selfish reasons, she wondered to herself. She probably shouldn't have asked. But when had she ever kept her mouth shut when she should have?

“The exposure doesn't hurt,” he admitted. “Dev mentioned it when he put the bite on me. But, it's not the only reason. I don't need to work ever again, Taylor. I made enough money riding bulls that with sound investments I could live comfortably for the rest of my life.”

“Assuming you didn't squander it on wild living.” She flashed him a smile, then held the railing as she started downstairs.

“Yeah, assuming that,” he said with a chuckle. “Or if too many people hit me up.”

“Who would do that?”

“My mother for one.”

“You heard from her?” Taylor asked, shocked. She stopped, midstairway, and looked at him.

He stopped on the step below her so she met his gaze squarely. “Yeah. You know that whole under a rock thing is genetic. Ruby came out from under hers and managed to track me down when she found out about all the money I was making.”

“Is she still married to the construction guy?”

“Still would be the key word. I have no proof that they ever got hitched in the first place. But she's single now, living in Vegas. Working in a casino.”

“So she wanted money,” Taylor mused. “Did you give it to her?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she realized how invasive they were. “Scratch that. Sorry to be so nosy. You don't need to answer.”

He shook his head and they continued down the stairs. “No big deal. Yeah, I gave it to her. I've learned that everyone wants something. At least she's kin.”

It was a small glimpse into the most eligible cowboy's life. She remembered the magazine stories. Her head told her that was a long time ago. Her heart believed he traveled in fast-paced, exciting, glitzy circles. Places she couldn't go. But now he was telling her there was a downside to money and fame. She could see it in his eyes and the look there tugged at her sympathy.

“Everyone wants something,” she said quietly. “Including me.”

He stepped off the bottom stair and turned, blocking her. Her front was touching his front and they saw eye to eye. It would be easy to rest her forearms on his shoulders, the familiar way couples did. She could touch her mouth to his, with little or no effort, and let him deepen the contact. She wanted him to fold her in his arms and hold her.

Suddenly this house she knew better than the back of her hand was the loneliest place on earth.

He shrugged. “You never get something for nothing,” he said. “That's something else I learned.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way. When I get your seal of approval, I'll have earned it fair and square. Or I don't want it at all.”

Otherwise it would mean Mitch Rafferty was just being nice to her. Or worse—feeling sorry for her. And that meant she would have to watch her back as far as her heart was concerned.

A sweet and considerate Mitch Rafferty was more dangerous than a no-limit card game with the devil.

T
he morning after a restless night, his first in Taylor's house, Mitch stepped out of the shower. He knew she'd been there not long before. Her scent lingered, giving him an instant visual of her naked—soft skin, lush curves, sleek and wet and—whoa. Annoyed at the train of thought he couldn't tame, he grabbed his shaving kit and unzipped it. After pulling out razor, toothbrush, toothpaste and comb, he looked for a spot to put them on the vanity. A good portion of the space held Taylor's toiletries.

Body lotion, body splash, body mist.
Body.
The word jumped out at him from every single, solitary product in the whole damn bathroom.

His annoyance kicked up a notch. What had he been thinking to pick the only room in the place where he had to share such intimate space with Taylor? Only her bedroom would be worse.

Or better.

Jeez. He couldn't seem to stop. He hadn't had a sen
sible thought since the day he'd come to the ranch to check it out. The day he'd seen Taylor Stevens again—all grown up.

He grabbed a towel and dried his hair, then wrapped the thick, luxurious terry cloth around his waist. After brushing his teeth and hair, he dressed quickly in his room. There was a lot to do in a short amount of time to get the show on the road. He needed to get his mind off Taylor and things he had no right thinking about. But he needed caffeine first to do both.

When he opened his door, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee drifted to him, as if the B&B fairy had read his mind. That smell along with the aroma of freshly baked biscuits, sweet rolls and bacon made a hole in his gut as wide as the Texas prairie. Even stronger than his hunger was an urgency to see Taylor. And for the life of him he didn't understand why, let alone have the will to control it.

He peeked through the open door into her room, and wasn't surprised to see that her bed was neatly made. Following where his nose led, he found his way along the upstairs hall and down to the kitchen.

Taylor stood at the stove, her back to him as he walked in the room. Her sun-streaked brown hair was arranged in a French braid with the ends tucked up, leaving her neck bare and him with a yearning to kiss that sweet-looking spot. The hem of her pink cotton blouse disappeared into the waistband of jeans with the seat so worn, it was practically white, almost transparent. He flexed his fingers, aching to see if she was as soft, supple and shapely as she looked.

When his gaze lowered again, he noticed that she wasn't wearing her boots. White socks covered her feet
and he found himself wondering what they would look like bare. Did she paint her toenails?

Enough, he thought, really irritated with himself. Coffee, breakfast and a long day of work in that order were what he needed to get his mind back on business and off one pretty lady rancher.

“Morning,” he said.

She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Great.” It wasn't a complete lie.

He'd slept like a rock when he'd finally fallen sleep. He couldn't fault the room or the bed for the amount of time he'd tossed and turned. But the B&B proprietress was another story. Thoughts of Taylor had kept him awake for a long time.

“Coffee?” she asked.

“I'd be in your debt forever,” he answered fervently.

She poured him a cup and brought it to where he stood outside her U-shaped work area. She put cream, sugar and artificial sweetener on the counter, then a spoon for stirring.

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

His gaze automatically went to her mouth. Definitely hungry. But not for food.

He forced the thought from his mind. “Yeah,” he said out loud. “I think I could eat a horse.”

“Sorry. That's not on the Circle S menu. You're going to have to settle for eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, home fried potatoes, sweet rolls, fruit and juice.”

“Jeez, a guy could starve around here.”

“I know,” she teased back. “That's what comes of
just having girls around the place. Everyone but my father was on a diet at one time or another.”

“Really?”

“No,” she said, lifting a lid to a pot on the stove to check the contents. “Diet is a four-letter word. Ranch work keeps me busy and active. It's better than one of those designer fitness facilities and a lot more fun.”

“And very effective.” As soon as the words were out, he wanted them back like a no-point ride. But it was almost impossible to look at her curves and not want to explore every last one.

Holding a spatula, she glanced at him over her shoulder and grinned. “Did you just pay me a compliment?”

“Nope.”

“I didn't think so.” She turned back to what she was doing, pouring this and that into a pot and whipping it up.

Mitch looked around the kitchen and out the glass door to the patio with a slatted covering over it and the pool beyond. It brought back memories of that night ten years ago when she'd kissed him and said she loved him. He couldn't help wondering how she felt about him now. More specifically, what would happen if he kissed a grown-up, filled-out Taylor Stevens?

Trouble, that's what. And he'd had enough for a lifetime. Starting with his mother walking out. Taylor was a class act. Now that she wasn't a kid, he doubted she'd be interested in a guy like him. No matter how much time had passed.

Mouthwatering smells made his stomach growl and he could hardly wait to eat. He sipped his coffee and a feeling of contentment slipped over him. There was
only one other time in his life when he'd felt anything even close.

It was that small window of time when he'd thought Jen had been his. But there was more and he couldn't quite grasp the memories lurking in the shadows. Jen was the girl of every guy's dreams. He'd always had to be on his toes when they were together. Then he got it, as if the “aha” light went on in his brain. Talking to Taylor had been different, relaxing. He'd always felt better after their conversations. Little sister was safe. If she laughed at him what did he care? She was just a kid.

At that moment, she turned to the side and lifted her arms, reaching up into the cupboard. Her cotton blouse pulled tightly across her breasts, clearly outlining the full softness. He gripped his coffee cup so tight his knuckles turned white, then he swallowed against the dry tightness in his throat.

Little sister was a big girl now. No way was she safe. If he had half the brains God gave a gnat, he would remember that. Because she'd been his friend then and seeing her again had made him realize that he'd missed that friendship. He didn't want to jeopardize it.

And crossing over the line to some man/woman attraction complication could jeopardize the good thing they had going again. He'd messed it up once; he didn't make the same mistake twice.

“We're ready to eat,” she said.

“Good. I'm about to keel over.” And not from hunger.

“You go sit in the dining room,” she instructed.

“What can I do to help? I can carry something in.”

She shook her head. “You're my guinea pig. I plan
to treat you like a paying customer, so you have to act like one.”

“But, Taylor—”

“I insist,” she said, passing him with a covered casserole in her hands. She disappeared into the dining room, but her voice drifted back.

“I need your endorsement, but I don't want what I haven't earned. And it has to be honest and fair. Besides, now is the time to work the bugs out, before I have guests.” She returned to the kitchen and looked up at him. “You're my first.”

I wish.

The thought popped into his head before he could stop it. Of course she'd meant her first guest. But he'd gone straight to boyfriend. Main squeeze.
Lover.

Her first? Had there been someone else for her? Of course. What was he thinking? She was a knockout. Guys probably lined up for miles. Dev Hart for instance. The two of them had everything in common. And neither would have to walk down Main Street Destiny with a bag over their head. But the thought rankled. It tore through him leaving a path of anger in its wake.

“Please sit down. I'm tired of walking around you. And you're too big not to get underfoot.”

Her tone reeked of teasing, the way she might treat a big brother. Everything in him rebelled at the thought. She brushed by him again on another trip from the kitchen. This time she carried a cloth-covered basket with out-of-this-world aromas coming from it.

But it wasn't enough to cancel out her subtle, sexy scent. She smelled like a Texas prairie filled with spring wildflowers. He couldn't help remembering all those lotion bottles in the bathroom with the word
“body” on them.
His
body suddenly went hot and hard.

Seemed a good time to do what the bossy lady had said. He walked into the dining room and sat, then reached for the napkin and put it in his lap. “Do you plan to order the paying customers around like that?” he asked.

She set steaming dishes of potatoes and eggs laced with onion, green pepper and pimento on the table. “My current plan is to be a gracious hostess and treat my guests as I would like to be treated. But, yes, I would tell them as diplomatically as possible that if they want to eat, it happens faster if you don't fence in the cook. This is a home as well as a business and I want them to experience my way of life.”

He took the bowl of scrambled eggs she held out. “It's nice. Your way of life is a good one.”

Her gaze never left his face and questions swirled in her eyes. “Why are you like a tumbleweed in the Texas wind?”

He grinned. “The way you say it makes me sound like a legend in my own time. Or the pitiful subject of a country and western song.”

“I didn't mean to,” she said, her mouth turning up at the corners. “But I'm serious. Why didn't you ever put down roots, Mitch? Was it because of what happened with Jen?”

“I can't deny that probably didn't help. But I got a booster, in case I forgot.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was engaged once, while I was still on the circuit.”

She held a spoonful of potatoes in midair, a shocked expression on her face. “I didn't know.”

“You mean there was something that didn't make the tabloids?”

“I can't say. Only that I never heard.”

“Just as well. The rest of the sordid details were in every magazine and gossip column.”

“What happened?”

“It turned out that she was sleeping with the All Around Cowboy.”

“Makes you wonder which three events he scored highest in,” she commented.

“
Rodeo
events,” he clarified. When Taylor's cheeks pinkened slightly, he knew she got his drift. “But Barbara Kiley, the girl I came this close to making the little woman, gave All Around Cowboy a whole new meaning.”

“I'm sorry.”

He shrugged. “It was after I hurt my leg and decided to give up the rodeo,” he finished.

“Oh, Mitch—”

“It's okay. My name was in the record books. I got promotional gigs. But she wanted to be in the spotlight. To be on the arm of the guy currently getting the publicity. I wasn't that guy anymore.”

“I'm sorry,” she said again. “I don't know what else to say.”

“It was a long time ago. Besides, that wasn't the first time I came in number two. It's no big deal.”

Memories of that initial year on the rodeo circuit washed over him. Watching Jen and Zach together. Knowing what the guy had done, the mess he'd left behind in Destiny. Knowing Zach wasn't good enough for Jen and not being able to say anything. She wouldn't have believed him.

So he'd tried to ignore them. Tried to forget the ache
in his gut. He'd done his best to concentrate on his sport and beat Zach Adams in every event where they squared off. Success was the best revenge. And Mitch won overall money. But he never got to be number one—not till Zach was killed. Now he would never know if he was better.

“Wandering isn't a solution, Mitch. There isn't anywhere on earth safe from emotional baggage.”

“You're right. So I've chosen not to participate. I'd rather channel my energy into other things. Like business.”

“I know what you mean. You're not the only one who's had a broken heart twice.”

“Twice?” he asked.

She nodded. “I was engaged, too. About eighteen months ago.”

He was unprepared for the instant and powerful assault of jealousy. The question on the tip of his tongue was whether or not she wanted him to make the guy sorry for treating her that way. But what he asked was, “You said twice. There was someone else?”

Her gaze lowered and she pushed her eggs around her plate with her fork. “That's not important.”

“What does that mean?”

“Just never you mind.”

“Did you catch your fiancé cheating on you?”

“Not exactly.” She sighed and put her fork down, then wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “When we met, he told me right up front that he was getting over someone else.”

“Give the guy a brownie point,” he said sarcastically.

“He never lied to me, Mitch. He was honest and
straightforward. So when he said he loved me and wanted to marry me, I believed him.”

“What happened?”

“His old girlfriend decided she wanted him back.”

“And he went?”

She nodded. “He said he hadn't stopped caring about her and it wouldn't be fair to me.” The sunny look she'd worn since he'd first seen her this morning disappeared.

“Low-life jerk.” he said.

Mitch wanted the guy responsible for hurting her to pay. Five minutes alone, no questions asked. He wanted to take him apart. Isn't that what an honorary big brother did? That's the part he was here to play. He let out a long breath. It was a tough assignment and more involved than he'd realized. A reminder that her father had been right—he wasn't good enough. A big clue that a guy like him, who didn't know the first thing about being part of a family, was wrong for her. And the worst part—he knew his anger, not to mention the thoughts he'd had since waking up, weren't in the least brotherly.