The Maverick Meets His Match (17 page)

Ty pulled a pair of pressed jeans from the suitcase and rose to step into them. “And the response to that is, why? We got what we came for. A commitment to Prescott for next year. What more do you want?” She wasn’t happy, and for the life of him, he didn’t know why. “You need to relax a little, Mandy.” He shot her a smile. “I can definitely help with that.”

She stomped her sexy booted foot. She always wore the most intriguing boots. “I want Ben and Lyle to take me seriously. To understand I’m capable of handling the rodeo.” Her hand waved in the air. “You blurting out that idea made me irrelevant. How do you think it feels when people I’ve known all my life don’t trust my abilities to deliver for them? If JM had made me the head of this company, I wouldn’t have to play second fiddle.”

Now she was getting him mad. Pretty as she was all riled up and passionate, he didn’t cotton to people creating myths just because the truth was hard to hear. “JM knew what he was doing.” Ignoring the sparks flashing out of her eyes, he continued as he tucked in and zipped up. “Like it or not, without me in that meeting, they wouldn’t have felt reassured you could deliver this time, much less next time. Did you hear them ask after Tucker? They like you, Mandy, but they aren’t sure about handing you the reins. At their rodeo, you’re going to show them they’re not risking anything by doing so. And JM knew having me along would give you that chance. This isn’t about being competent. This is about trust.”

She stared at him like he’d just slapped her. Probably felt like that.

Hell.

Ty sauntered forward. She just stood there, blinking at him like she didn’t want to believe what he said. But she had to know it was the truth. As he went to wrap his arms around her, she pushed her hands against his chest. He wrapped her in his embrace anyway, ignoring her weak attempt to stop him.

He held her, enjoying the feel of her curves against his hard edges, until he felt her body relax and give up the struggle.

“You were great in there today,” he whispered against her ear. “You solidified a connection with those men that is going to last. They like you, honey. They just don’t believe in you yet. You’re something new, in a new role. They need time to figure you out, is all.”

“You won’t give me time,” she said, her voice muffled and her breath warm against his shirt.

He looked down, and she lifted up her face. A mixture of vulnerability and hope stared back at him. He wished he could tell her he’d changed his mind. He hadn’t. He’d made a promise. “This isn’t personal, Mandy. You’ll just have to trust that I’ll keep the best interests of the company, of your family, in mind. JM trusted me. Why can’t you?”

She pushed harder against him and wiggled to get free. No sense trying to make her listen. He let her loose, and she stepped back out of his embrace. God how he liked holding her. She fit him just fine. If only she’d give him a chance to show her just how fine.

“Because you gain more if you can sell PRC and convince Tuck to sell the land as well.”

“It’s true that I’d like a chance to develop that land, but only if it’s because I can get you guys a fantastic offer. I swear I’m not the enemy.” God how he wanted to kiss her. Kiss away those doubts.

“Could have fooled me,” she said barely above a whisper, but loud enough for him to hear.

“Just give me a chance to prove it, Mandy. That’s all I’m asking for is a chance.”

He reached out and curved a finger under her chin, tilting it so her luscious mouth was in his line of sight. He’d need to get her to assess things with her head, not with her heart, before she’d trust him. But just how he was going to do that, he wasn’t sure. He was sure, however, he wanted to taste her. And that heat coming from her eyes said she would let him.

Lowering his lips to hers, he covered her mouth and kissed her, long, deep, and full while his hands caressed her back, learning her curves and angles.

She returned the kiss, taking it even deeper, her tongue searching, reaching for his. God, she was a passionate woman. And there were two queen beds just waiting for them to try out—together.

Bringing his hand around, he cupped her breast through her clothes. Down soft, pliable, overflowing his palm, just as he had imagined. He began to slowly, gently knead. Her quick inhale told him all he needed to know.

He feathered kisses across her cheek, then nibbled on her ear lobe. She kissed his neck, and he felt it clear to his groin. Not to be outdone, he nuzzled the smooth silk of her throat, breathing in the sweet scent of roses, and sucked the tender area right above her collarbone as she moved her head to the side, giving him better access. All the time, he fondled her breast, covered by the fabric of her bra, with the tips of his fingers, caressing the generous swells with a gentle touch. She wasn’t resisting at all. On the contrary, her eyes were closed, her lips parted.

Subtly, he slid his hips against her body, and his hard, thickened erection scraped her soft belly, sending bolts of lust and desire through him. He sure as hell hoped it was sending those same bolts through her.

“Combustible,” he whispered in her ear.

Not willing to risk her refusal, he covered her mouth with his as he backed her up until the back of her legs hit the edge of the bed and she sat down on it with a plop, breaking the kiss. He moved to stand between her thighs and gazed down into green eyes wide and rounded with surprise, but not displeasure.

This was where he wanted her—in his bed. He’d waited years to finish what she’d started. And a hotel room in a strange city was as good a place as any.

“You are an incredible kisser,” he said, meaning every word of it. Her legs opened so he could nestle between them. Gently he grasped her shoulders and eased her back upon the bed, relieved he didn’t encounter any resistance as he covered her with his body.

Underneath him, she felt soft and supple, so at odds with the hard-shell image she tried to portray. He wanted to kiss her all over, wanted to run his tongue across her silky flesh, taste her—everywhere. He started with the soft skin of her throat, feathering little kisses as he glided his fingertips under the fabric of her top, inching it up.

“You’re so soft.” His heart pounded in synch with the throbbing in his pants. Sensing victory, his body clamored for more, but he had to take this slow, steady. He found her lips again and swirled his mouth over hers while his tongue pressed against the seam of her lips until she opened for him. She tasted like peppermint.

He increased the pressure as he slowly moved his body against her, letting her feel how hard he was, how much he wanted her. Brushing his thumbs along the underwire of her bra, he found the clasp. Coaxing it open, the bra gave way, and his hand found the supple flesh of her breast as he kissed the soft spot at the base of her throat.

Sliding his lips down her neck, across her delicate collarbone, down to the berried nipple that begged for attention, he suckled. Hard. Firm.

She moaned, shifted, moaned again.

He switched to the other one, pulling the nipple between his lips until her hips bucked against him and he felt the jolt of lust grip his groin.

It had been a while since he’d undressed a woman when he hadn’t been assured of the outcome. He reached for the buckle on her belt. His pulse quickened. Hot blood shot through him. She was gorgeous underneath those clothes. Perfectly proportioned, soft, and delicate. Bent upon his task, he hadn’t noticed her knee until it bumped a sensitive area to turn pleasure into a blast of pain. What the…

He raised his head, perspiration trickling down his cheek. “What did you do that for?”

“Because we aren’t doing it…that,” she rasped out between heaving breaths. She shook her head so waves of hair swept over her bare breasts, providing a translucent curtain. Damn she was beautiful.

She pushed against his chest. “Get off me.”

He dutifully rolled off her, and she jumped out of bed like he’d lit a fire under her. Maybe he had. Maybe she was running from something she was afraid she couldn’t handle.

“I’m taking a shower,” she said, her hand clutching her shirt to her body. “And I’ll be locking the door.”

Mandy slumped against the bathroom door, her knees weak, her heart pounding. She’d almost caved, had been this close to losing control.

No, no, no. She whispered the word three times for emphasis. He wasn’t to be trusted—not with her company and certainly not with her heart. Why he so easily flipped her switch she couldn’t say, but it had been that way even ten years ago. Back then she’d been so sure he was the man her young heart desired. She’d told him the truth back then. She’d been a virgin and wanted him to be the first, thinking it would show him how much he meant to her.

Instead, he’d walked away, leaving her naked and abandoned. And made sure he was never alone with her the remaining few days before he returned to school. She’d pined after him the whole rest of the year, like a puppy waiting for its master’s return. She’d sent him texts and e-mails, and got nothing in return. He hadn’t wanted her, she realized—he’d wanted her grandfather and had used her to get to closer to JM.

His rejection had been cruel at a time when she had needed gentleness. And now, here she was, married to him. And still wanting him. Cool, objective, no-nonsense Ty Martin. And did she mention, sexy as hell? But if they ever made love, she knew she’d be setting herself up for a huge fall.

One hundred seventy-nine days to go. She feared she’d never make it without losing her mind. And maybe her heart.

Abilene hadn’t gone quite like Ty had expected on the personal front. Neither had Fort Worth, Houston, or Lubbock. He’d turned on the charm and let her know having sex with her was never far from his thoughts. And he’d come away empty.

Ty glanced over at Mandy, her face pressed to the plane’s window as they headed back to Wyoming for a brief overnight to get a change of clothes and check on things at the office before traveling to the Washington rodeo. At least she wasn’t tense anymore about flying, after taking off and setting down a half-dozen times. Given what was up ahead, her newfound ease would be tested.

Gratefully, business matters had fared better. The rodeos in Fort Worth and Houston had confirmed they’d keep their agreements with Prescott, and as two of the biggest rodeos around, that meant a lot going forward. Of course, since those rodeos used several stock contractors, given their size and length, they had less risk in doing so. Lubbock was the outlier. Stan Lassiter had convinced managers there to give him a chance this year. The committee’s letter asking to void their contract due to “changed circumstances” had been on its way to Prescott’s offices before Ty and Mandy had arrived in Lubbock. The committee had agreed, however, to give Prescott a shot at next year’s contract if the contract included the sweetener Ty had given Abilene and there were no complaints from other rodeos over Prescott’s performance this year. And this time, Mandy had offered the sweetener.

Ty had admired how she had handled the negotiations, needing little assistance from him. It was true Ty’s presence had helped ease some tension from the traditionalists, but hardly reason enough for JM to turn so much control over to him. Made a guy wonder why JM had been so concerned about the business. Guess he was a man used to being in control and couldn’t imagine things going on without him. Ty could relate. That’s how he’d felt when he’d left the ranch. And when he’d left the land development company. Both seemed to be getting along okay without him, though the ranch was probably less successful. Still, it humbled a guy to think he wasn’t quite as crucial as he thought.

As for Prescott, Ty had made one significant contribution on the trip. He’d been able to meet with the AFBR’s livestock director and secure a promise to visit the ranch and assess Prescott’s bulls for participation in an upcoming Touring Division Event. He’d decided to wait until he knew for certain Cody Lane would keep that promise before giving Mandy the good news.

No, it was strictly on a personal level that this trip had been a failure, starting with Abilene.

He’d come on too strong, pushed too fast, too hard. Mandy had made clear that it was separate beds and separate lives. But they were sharing a room, and he’d seen her checking him out. Fight it all she could, reality was they were going to end up in bed together.

His ears popped, signaling a change in air pressure even before he saw the thick gray clouds swirling up ahead. This was going to be a rough ride. Weather report had not been good over the plains. Well, this wouldn’t be the first time—but it was probably the first time for Mandy.

The plane rose and fell and rose again. Mandy clutched her seat as the battleship-gray clouds smothered the plane and rain pelted the windows like tiny bullets.

“What is happening, Ty?” she yelled above the commotion. Fear squeezed her heart as she struggled against panic.

“Weather. We’re heading through a storm.”

“Wh…what kind of storm.” Please let it not be a tornado or something.

“Old-fashioned gully washer. We’ll be fine, Mandy,”

His large hand patted her thigh and quickly withdrew. Like heat lightning, a little shimmer of electricity shot through her. That was the first time he’d touched her since Abilene, gratefully. The thought of that first night in the hotel room still brought heat to her cheeks. Each night in every hotel room had been another test of willpower. So far, she’d passed the tests, but barely.

Now here she was, smack-dab in turbulence that mirrored her emotions.

“Can you guarantee that?”

The radio crackled with a string of nonsense words.

“Pretty much. I’ve clearance to increase altitude. We’ll try to ride over it.”

“We’re going higher?” She felt as pukey as a green-gilled fish.

“Best way to avoid the turbulence. That’s what the big jets do. We can’t climb as high, but we’ll do our best.”

The plane shuddered as it bumped and dipped along. Ty had both hands on the steering column, his focus locked on the panel of instruments.

Rain pummeled the glass. Wind thrashed the cabin.