Tempting Dusty (Temptation Saga Book 1) (9 page)

“Not really.”

“And he was with her when she rode the bull today. If you get him interested in her…”

“You want me to sell out my baby brother for a man?”

“Well”—Chelsea’s mouth curled into a smirk—“sometimes, when the stakes are high, one has to up the ante a little.”

“But Harper?” Angelina shook her head. She had been willing to spook a bull, but sacrifice her brother to some low-class rancher girl? Of course, Chelsea
did
have a point about the stakes. She wanted Zach McCray. And Harper could charm the pants off just about anyone.

“Exactly what do you have in mind?”

Chelsea winked at her. “Come on. Let’s go shopping. There’s a sale on shoes at Nordstrom.”

“And?”

“And my mind is always at its best when I’m trying on shoes.”

D
usty lay
on her hospital bed. “I don’t want to see him.”

“I understand,” Harper said, standing next to the chair where Sam sat. “I just thought I should let you know he seemed downright determined to see you.”

“What’s the problem, Dust?” Sam asked. “You do owe him an explanation, don’t you think? You hijacked his bull and put him in the hospital.”

“I was perfectly fine. He didn’t need to come charging in like a knight in shining armor. I wasn’t some damsel in distress. I had Diablo under control.”

Sam clenched his fists together. “I still can’t believe you let her get on that bull, Bay.”

“She was on the bull by the time I got there. It would have been more dangerous for me to interfere.”

“You didn’t have to unlatch the gate.”

“I know.”

Dusty recognized the anger in Sam’s eyes, but none of this was Harper’s fault. “I made him, Sam.”

“Right. You had a gun to his head.”

“Your brother’s right, Dusty,” Harper said. “I never should have unlatched the gate. But—”

“No buts,” Sam said.

“You’re right. It was just something in her voice.”

“You’re both nuts,” Sam said.

“He’s right,” Dusty said. “About me needing to be with Diablo.”

“Whatever.”

“Hey,” Harper said, “I just came by to warn you that McCray’s on his way. I’m glad you’re feeling better, Dusty. Hope to see you out on the grounds soon.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“No, you won’t, young lady,” Sam said, his tone parental.

“Why not? I’m perfectly fine.”

“You’re recovering from a concussion.” Her brother shook his head. “If I have to get the doctor to tie you down, I will.”

Dusty huffed. Sam was right, of course. There’d be no more competing, either. She’d blown it big time. No winnings, and she had lost Regina. And there was the problem of that phone call, which she hadn’t told Sam about yet. “Fine.”

“Now you’re talkin’ some sense,” came a voice from the doorway. Zach wheeled himself into the room with one arm, dragging his IV stand with the other.

He had an IV. Dusty’s heart collapsed, and she looked away, concentrating on the figures of Harper and Sam.

“If you’ll excuse us, Harper, Sam, I’d like to speak to Dusty.”

“That’s up to her, I think,” Harper said.

“Damn it, Bay—”

Sam grabbed Harper’s shoulder and ushered him out. “You’re entitled to a few minutes, Zach,” he said, “but don’t upset her.”

“The last thing I want is to see her upset.” Zach wheeled himself over to Dusty’s head. Once Chad had shut the door, Zach leaned over and kissed Dusty’s forehead. “Thank God you’re all right.”

Dusty’s throat tensed. He was going to be nice to her. It would be so much easier if he were angry. He had a right to be. As upset as she was with him, she hadn’t had the right to ride Diablo without his permission.

“I’m sorry,” she said meekly.

“I know.”

“Why aren’t you mad?”

He chuckled. “I
am
mad. My thigh hurts like a mother, I can’t compete, and someone I care about is hurt due to her own stupidity.”

“Hey—”

“Sorry, darlin’, but getting on Diablo all by yourself like that was stupid, and you know it. Even I can’t believe it, but I’m just so relieved you’re not seriously injured.”

Dusty gulped, tears forming in her eyes. Why did he have to look so wonderful? His hair was tousled and sexy, his face unshaven and rugged, and he wore green flannel pajama pants and a silk robe. She was still furious with him, yet she burned for him. Her entire body trembled at his nearness.

“It’ll be okay,” Zach said.

“No.” She sniffed. “Nothing’s okay.”

“I’ll make it okay. I swear it.”

“You can’t.”

“I can. I want to. If you’ll just tell me—”

“No!” Dusty’s pulse quickened. “I-I’m glad you’re okay, Zach. I never wanted you to get hurt. But you can’t help me. Just go away. I don’t want you here.”

“Damn it, Dusty. Why won’t you let me in?”

Let him in? Oh, that was a good one. “I did. I did let you in. I let you into my body.”

“I’m not talking about your body.”

“I am. I gave you something I’d never given anyone, something that was mine to give only one time. I did it gladly. I wanted it. But you…you… Oh!” She turned over, away from him.

Within seconds, he had wheeled himself to the other side of the bed. “Darlin’, what is it? Do you need money?”

How humiliating. “You think this is about money? You’re infuriating!”

“Dusty—”

She clenched her fists. “I lost the barrel race because of you!”

“Me?”

“I lost my horse. I can’t rope tomorrow. And I only stayed on Diablo for six seconds. Six seconds, Zach! That’s three seconds longer than you’ve been able to ride him. But it’s still two seconds short, isn’t it? So I don’t get the purse, do I?”

“If you need the money, I’ll gladly give you the purse.”

“You will, huh? A cool half mil. Is that what a twenty-three-year-old virgin is worth these days? Makes me a damned expensive whore, doesn’t it?”

God, she had gone too far. His blue eye darkened, and his brown eye smoked. Anger. Raw, crazy wrath. Well, let him be angry then. He should be. She had gotten him hurt. She was no stranger to anger, herself. She was damned mad at him. Damned mad at the whole world.

“You’re so determined to push me away.” His voice cracked. “Fine, I can take a hint.” His hands clamped onto the wheels of his chair, his knuckles white with tension.

“Don’t you get all high and mighty with me,” she said. “I’m not the one who was making out with Angelina yesterday. That was you. And during my race!”

His eyes softened. “You saw that?”

“Yeah, I saw that, and I lost because of it.”

“Oh, God, darlin’.”

“Don’t call me that. It’s nothing but a lie. Now get out.”

“But if you’ll let me explain—”

Sam opened the door and walked in. “You need to leave now, Zach. She’s all upset.”

“I’m not done talking with her.”

“Yeah, you are. For now. Go on.”

When Zach looked back at her, Dusty looked away. He didn’t argue any more with Sam. “I’ll come by to see her later.”

“Maybe not a good idea. There’ll be plenty of time for you all to talk when you’re both in better condition.”

“All right.” The door closed with a gentle whoosh, and Zach was gone.

Her mattress sank as Sam sat down next to her. “I’m sorry, Dust.”

She sniffed. “No matter.”

“What is this really about?” He took her hand.

For a moment, Dusty flashed back seventeen years, to the day their father had told them about their mother’s terminal condition. Sam had grabbed her small hand and rubbed her palm with his thumb, like he was doing now. His thumb was callused now. She swallowed hard.

“Is it the money?” Sam said. “Because if it is, stop worrying about it. That old ranch isn’t worth it. We’ll be fine.”

Dusty swallowed. The time had come to tell him. “The ranch may not be worth it, Sam. But my life is. The hospital called yesterday. My white cell count is up.”

“
G
od
, Sis, I’m so sorry.” Sam’s grip on her hand tightened.

“They want me back in three weeks for a recheck.”

“That’s good.”

Dusty let out a breathy scoff. “How exactly is that good?”

“If they were overly concerned, they’d get you back in right away.” Sam loosened his grip, but tension shone on his face. “It could be something as harmless as your immune system fighting off a cold.”

“Yeah, that’s what they said.”

“So we’ll think positive until we know more.”

“Easy for you to say.” Dusty sighed. “So close to my five-year mark, and now this.” The trickle of a tear tickled her cheek, and she wiped it away. “Plus, the bill for this stupid hospital stay, which is totally my fault, I know.”

“It won’t be much. A couple thousand…”

“A couple thousand that could have gone toward the ranch. But no worries. I can pay the bill.”

“How? You didn’t win the barrel race.”

“Regina. I sold Regina to Harper Bay.”

“Dust…”

“I didn’t have a choice. We need the money, and I blew the barrel race. If I need more treatment—”

“You’ll get the treatment you need, if I have to work five goddamned jobs. We haven’t come this far to lose the battle now.”

“I don’t want you working like a dog, Sam.”

“It’s the least I can do. I’d take the treatment for you if I could, but since that’s not an option, I’ll at least see that we can pay for it.”

Dusty reached for her brother, and he took her in his arms.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said. “I’ll take care of you.”

“You shouldn’t have to take care of me. You’re twenty-seven. You should be settling down, raising a family. Not burdened with a sick sister and a bankrupt ranch.”

“You’re not a burden.”

An anvil settled in Dusty’s stomach. “I sure feel like one.”

“You aren’t. You never were.”

She turned from her brother’s gaze. “Papa thought so.”

“No, he didn’t. What Papa did had nothing to do with you.”

“It was because of me he needed money.”

“But it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t ask to get sick.”

She sighed. “That’s the truth of it.”

“I do have some good news. Your doctor signed your release papers. Can you get dressed by yourself, or do you need help?”

“I can do it.”

“Good. I’m going down to the billing office to take care of things.”

“Tell them we’ll send the money within the month. Harper will probably pay me in the next few days for Regina.”

“Will do. I’ll be back in a few.”

Dusty felt a little lightheaded when she rose from the bed, but it passed. She changed out of the dreaded hospital gown and into the clean jeans and shirt Sam had brought for her, and she sat back down on the bed and waited for him.

Within about fifteen minutes he returned.

“I take it everything went okay?” Dusty said.

“Yes. In fact, it did.” Sam sat down in the chair next to the bed.

“Good.”

“Dusty, what’s going on between you and Zach McCray?”

His name made her heart thump. “Nothing.”

“That night you didn’t come home. You were with him, weren’t you?”

“That’s not really any of your business, Sam.”

“I know you’re over eighteen and all. I can’t pretend I’m comfortable with my baby sister doing…
that
, but you certainly have the right. But I need to know. Were you with him?”

Dusty sighed and nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

“Why? Why are you asking about that now?”

“Well”—he cleared his throat—“it seems your hospital bill has been paid in full. By Zach McCray.”

D
usty took
a deep breath and knocked on the door to Suite 2500 of the Windsor Hotel. After a good night’s sleep in her own hotel room, she was feeling almost like herself, and she needed to speak to Zach about paying her medical bill. When the door opened, she looked straight into the emerald-green eyes of Angelina Bay.

“Hello, Angelina. I need to speak with Zach.”

“Dusty, you’re just the person I want to see.” Angelina grabbed her arm and pulled her into the suite. “I’m so glad to see you up and around.”

“You are?” Angelina was being nice to her, and using her actual name? Something was definitely up.

“Of course. I was so upset to hear about your accident with the bull. Harper has talked of nothing else. He’s been so worried about you.”

“He has?” Dusty wrinkled her brow.

“Yes, he talks of nothing but you. You’ve certainly made quite an impression on him.”

“Uh…” Dusty searched for words. Angelina was up to something for sure, but Dusty wanted only to see Zach. She’d deal with Mary Ann later.

“You should be proud. Women have been chasing him for years. Who would have thought a cute little cowgirl from Montana would be the one to steal his heart?”

“Angelina, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I hardly know Harper. He and I have a business relationship. He bought my horse.”

“For Catie. Yes, I know. She’s going to love you, and I know you’ll be an excellent influence on her. You can teach her all you know about barrel racing.”

“Exactly how will I teach her from Montana?”

“You silly! I mean after you and Harper are married, of course.”

Dusty’s mouth dropped. “Excuse me?”

“I didn’t stammer, did I?”

“I’m not sure what Harper has told you, but we’re not getting married. We’re not dating. We’ve hardly had a conversation. Now if you don’t mind, I need to see Zach.”

“I suppose I’ve put the cart before the horse.” Angelina smiled. “I tend to do that. I just know you’re the one to tame my brother, though. There’s something in his eyes when he talks about you.”

“Truly, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now about Zach.”

Angelina compressed her lips into a thin line. “He’s asleep.”

Dusty walked past her. “I’ll wait if you don’t mind.”

“Actually, under the circumstances, I think—”

“Who is it, Angie?” came another female voice.

Dusty turned to see Zach’s mother, Laurie McCray. She was still tall and beautiful, her sleek black hair now salted with silver and cut into a stylish wedge.

“Dusty O’Donovan.” Laurie smiled, the laugh lines around her eyes adding character to her lovely face. “I couldn’t believe it when Zach and Chad told me you and your brother were here. Last time I saw you, you were knee high to a grasshopper. What a gorgeous woman you’ve become.”

The woman embraced Dusty and rubbed her back. Dusty trembled slightly.

“What’s the matter, sugar?” Laurie asked.

“It’s wonderful to see you again,” Dusty said. “I-I just want you to know. I never would have intentionally hurt Zach. I know this is all my fault.”

“Don’t be silly.” Laurie squeezed Dusty’s arm gently. “Zach doesn’t blame you, and neither do I. In fact, I’m quite impressed. He says you stayed on his bull for six seconds.”

“Yes, I did. But that’s not important right now. How is Zach?”

“He’s fine. Nothing keeps that boy down. He’s a little sleepy, but he’s going to be just fine.”

“I’d like to talk to him, if possible.”

“I’m sure he’d love to see you.”

“Actually,” Angelina said, “I just told Dusty he was asleep.”

“No, he’s awake,” Laurie said. “You go on in, sugar. Angie and I’ll stay here in the living room and give you all some privacy.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Laurie?” Angelina asked. “He shouldn’t be upset.”

“This sweet thing won’t upset him.”

“I’m not so sure,” Dusty heard Angelina say under her breath.

“What?” Laurie asked.

“Nothing.” Angelina sat down on the sofa. “By all means, go on in.”

Zach was lying on his bed when Dusty entered the bedroom. On top of the covers, his chest bare, his legs clad in plaid lounging pants. He still hadn’t shaved, but his hair had been combed back over his forehead. Dusty wanted to thread her fingers through it and let it fall in soft waves around his face.

“Hey, darlin’,” he said.

“Hey yourself.”

“I thought I heard your voice.”

She nodded. “How are you?”

“Better, now that you’re here.”

She warmed, and imagined rosiness creeping up her neck. Why was he always so sweet to her? “I need to talk to you.”

“Talk away.”

She cleared her throat and sat down on the edge of the bed. “About my hospital bill—”

“I know what you’re going to say. But I wanted to help. I want to be there for you. I want to be
with
you.”

“What about Angelina?”

“I tried to explain that yesterday, but you wouldn’t let me. There is no Angelina.”

“You kissed her.”

“She kissed
me
. Not the other way around. Inopportune timing, I admit. I’m so sorry about your race. And I told her I wasn’t interested.”

“My losing the race wasn’t your fault, Zach.” Dusty feathered her fingers over his cheek. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you about it.”

“You were upset.”

“Yeah. But it was still my fault. I was in control, not you. I shouldn’t have let anything break my concentration.”

“Why’d you look up?”

“I always do, around the third barrel. Seeing the crowd cheering always gives me a rush to finish. I just didn’t expect to see you kissing Angelina.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“She wants to get back together with you?”

“Evidently.”

Dusty rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s explains a few things.”

“Like what?”

“The sales pitch she just gave me.”

“Huh?”

“She told me Harper is just nuts about me. She’s probably trying to get me off your trail.”

“No way. I want you on my trail.” Zach’s body tensed. “Harper can just stay the hell away from you.”

“I don’t think he’s interested in me. We hardly know each other.”

“Oh, he’s interested. Who wouldn’t be?”

Dusty broadened her smile. “Well, I’m not interested. In him, that is. He’s a nice man and all, but…”

“But what?”

“Nothing.” Suddenly she felt shy. “If you’re not interested in starting things up with Angelina again, why is she here?”

“Because she’s a damn stubborn fool.”

“Can’t you kick her out?”

“I’ve tried. But my ma’s here, and she and Angie’s ma are best friends. So I’m in a bit of a bind.”

Dusty couldn’t help the little smile that edged its way along her lips. “Be that as it may, I can’t let you pay my bills, Zach.”

“It’s already done, darlin’.”

“You’ll just have to undo it.”

“Why can’t you let me do this for you? I only want to help.”

“I know.” Dusty threaded her fingers through his thick locks. “But this whole thing is my fault. I should be paying
your
bills.”

“I’m insured.” He grinned at her. “Don’t stop,” he said, when she took her hands from his hair. “It feels good.”

“I don’t want to owe you anything.”

“You don’t.”

“I feel like…because of what we did, that you think you need to… I don’t know… Do stuff for me.”

“That’s the silliest thing I ever heard.”

“Good. Because I want you to know, I slept with you because I wanted to, not to get your money.”

“You don’t have to say any of this.”

“I just don’t want you to think—”

“I don’t.” He touched her cheek and ran his thumb over the tip of her nose. He curled his hand around the nape of her neck and pulled her toward him. “Come here.”

“Zach, I don’t know.”

“Just a kiss. One kiss.”

He brushed his mouth gently over hers. “You have the sweetest lips,” he whispered. “Full and cherry red and delicious.”

He nibbled across her upper lip and then her lower. She shuddered, the sensation filling every cell in her body. When his tongue probed for entrance, she granted it, moaning softly and responding. Her hand crept across his chest, and she laced her fingers through the dark curls and caressed the taut muscle underneath. His mouth tasted even sweeter than she remembered, and she explored more deeply, kissing him harder, faster.

They both finally broke away to breathe. Then he took her lips again.

“You said one kiss,” she rasped against his chin.

“I lied.” He thrust his tongue into her mouth again.

The pleasure, the sweet, sinful joining of mouths. She could kiss him forever, she was sure of it. She melted into him, sighed into his mouth softly, sucked and bit at his lips, his tongue.

“Zach?”

Angelina’s voice. What a mood killer. Dusty broke the kiss and looked toward the door.

“Jesus, Angie,” Zach said. “Can’t you see we’re busy in here?”

“You shouldn’t be straining yourself.”

“I’m not. I’m kissing my woman.”

Dusty’s heart leaped.
His woman
. It couldn’t last, but oh, she loved the thought of it. She loved that he said it in front of Angelina.

“And if you’ll excuse us,” Zach continued, “I’d like to get back to it.”

“Well—”

“Go on. Go shopping or something. Take my mother with you. I’d like some privacy.”

Angelina turned with a huff and shut the bedroom door behind her.

“Your mother, Zach, I don’t want her to think—”

“I’m a grown man of thirty, darlin’. I don’t give a flying fuck what my mother thinks. Now kiss me.”

Dusty breathed, her pulse pounding. “Why do you do this to me? Why do I want you so much?”

“Because you’re mine. You always have been. I think in some innocent childish way I knew it the first time I laid eyes on you.”

He pulled her against his body and kissed her again, a deep kiss this time. A firm, relentless meeting of mouths. A kiss of possession. He was marking his territory. Marking her. She felt it all the way to the tips of her toes, and she liked it. She liked it very much.

He nibbled and licked at her face, her neck, her ears. “Come to bed with me,” he said huskily. “I need you.”

Dusty shook her head, her lips pressed to his neck. “No,” she whispered. “You’re weak. We both are. It’s not a good idea.”

“It’s a great idea.”

“Oh my God.”

“You want me. I can feel how much you want me.” His whispers were soft caresses against her cheek. “Please.”