Perfect is good.

Imperfect is even better…

City-slicker lawyer Jeannette Trenton is about as welcome at the Last Chance Ranch as a rattlesnake at a square dance. She’s there to atone for one major mistake. But Jeannette’s pretty sure righting her big wrong does not include thinking lustful thoughts about the ranch’s new cowhand….

Zach Powell knows Jeannette’s type—a wound-up-tight perfectionist with one eye on her email at all times. Heck, that used to be him. She needs to shake it loose, face her imperfections and allow herself to make mistakes. There’s definitely no mistake about the wickedly sexy vibe between them. This gal is gonna have to “cowboy up”…or miss the ride of her life!

What could be hotter than a cowboy in June?

How about a cowboy in July, August

and under the mistletoe, too!

New York Times bestselling author

Vicki Lewis Thompson is back in the

Harlequin Blaze lineup for 2014, and this year she’s offering her readers even more….

Sons of Chance

Chance isn’t just the last name of these rugged Wyoming cowboys—it’s their motto, too!

Dear Reader,

When I first set foot on the Last Chance Ranch in 2010, I had no idea that one day I’d be welcoming you to the sixteenth book in the series! I know some of you have been with me for the whole ride, and some might be joining me for the first time. Either way, I’ve worked hard to make sure that each story stands alone. Whether you’re a long-time Sons of Chance fan or just beginning to get into the series, you won’t get lost, I promise!

After all these books, Riding Home seems like an appropriate title. Each time I go back to the Last Chance Ranch, I feel as if I’m coming home. The two-story log ranch house is as familiar as my own house. The Chance family members are friends, and I’m quite attached to the horses, too!

I know from your emails and comments on Facebook that many of you feel the same way. If you read both Riding High and Riding Hard you know whose story this has to be. Regan O’Connelli and Drake Brewster have found their soul mates, and I think Jeannette Trenton, despite her issues, deserves a shot. I’ve put her in the path of Zach Powell, a recent hire at the ranch, but he has some demons of his own.

So let’s see how they handle the situation, shall we? Of course you’ll get to hang out with the rest of the gang at the ranch. Jack Chance can’t let a book go by without making his presence known, and Mary Lou always has a fresh pot of coffee available for anyone who shows up in her kitchen. Grab yourself a mug and make yourself at home!

Cozily yours,

Vicki

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson’s love affair with cowboys started with the Lone Ranger, continued through Maverick and took a turn south of the border with Zorro. She views cowboys as the Western version of knights in shining armor—rugged men who value honor, honesty and hard work. Fortunately for her, she lives in the Arizona desert, where broad-shouldered, lean-hipped cowboys abound. Blessed with such an abundance of inspiration, she only hopes that she can do them justice. Visit her website, www.vickilewisthompson.com.

Riding Home

Vicki Lewis Thompson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To my wonderful readers—

You’ve taken the Sons of Chance into your hearts, and your enthusiasm touches me!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

From the diary of Eleanor Chance

August 15, 1990

WHEN YOUR CHILD MARRIES, you instantly become related to a whole lot more folks. Sometimes that’s a lovely thing and sometimes it’s not. But in the case of our only son, Jonathan, marrying Sarah Gillespie eight years ago, we lucked out. Judy and Bill are salt-of-the-earth.

When I told Judy that, she called it a supreme compliment. She’s lived in Shoshone for more than thirty years, but some locals still think of her as an uppity Easterner. I admit when she first arrived she caused quite a stir, and people around here have long memories.

She blew in from New York City, flush with money from her modeling career and wearing pricey designer outfits. She immediately bought a small ranch and hired one of Jackson Hole’s most eligible bachelors, Bill Gillespie, to help run it. We all predicted they’d get married, which they did, and within a year little Sarah was born.

But then Judy made the mistake of announcing she’d only have one child in order to keep her figure. That didn’t sit well with the town busybodies. Personally, I didn’t give a hoot. She had the right to make that decision for herself.

I liked her from the get-go. She was generous with her money, always willing to support local charity efforts, and she worked right alongside Bill as they turned their place into a cute little guest ranch. She worked hard to make the place cozy and profitable until they chose to sell and move into town.

Judy came over today so she, Sarah and I could have a confab about Jack’s twelfth birthday party next month. Judy keeps trying to get that boy to warm up to her, but Jack’s a funny one. He’s never quite recovered after his mother left when he was a toddler.

Consequently he got it into his head that because Sarah is not his “real” mother, he has no right to claim Judy as his grandmother. He thinks his brothers are the only ones who deserve that privilege. No amount of reasoning works with him. Next to the word stubborn in the dictionary is a picture of my grandson Jack.

But Judy keeps trying, and the birthday present she’s bought for Jack is a perfect example. She asked a rare book dealer in New York to track down an autographed copy of one of Jack’s favorite Louis L’Amour titles. I don’t even want to know what she paid for it, and Jack won’t realize the effort and expense involved, but I’m sure he’ll treasure the book. Maybe someday he’ll realize what a gift of love it is.

In any case, I’ll be forever grateful that Judy chose Wyoming as her landing spot after she left modeling. Besides giving birth to the amazing Sarah, she’s also been an asset to the community. In my opinion, we could use a few more Easterners blowing into town to shake things up and keep us from getting too set in our ways.

1

Last Chance Ranch

Present day

ON HIS KNEES inside an empty stall, Zach Powell concentrated on nailing a loose board in place. Except for one horse with medical issues, Zach was alone in the barn. Or so he thought until he stopped hammering and heard the echo of footsteps.

Whoever was wandering around wasn’t wearing cowboy boots, either. Boots made a distinctive clump-clump sound on the wooden barn floor, whereas this was a sharper click-click. After spending years in L.A. courtrooms, Zach was familiar with that noise.

For some reason, this woman was wearing stilettos in the barn. He’d only been working here a few weeks, but he hadn’t seen a woman in stilettos anywhere on the ranch, let alone in the barn. He was curious enough to stand up and take a look.

She was five stalls down and totally focused on Ink Spot, a black-and-white Paint who’d been kept in because of a recent sprain. Tall, slender and blond, the woman wore cream-colored dress pants and a lemon-yellow blouse, probably silk. The shoes that peeked out were also yellow and probably designer, judging from the rest of her ensemble—gold bangles on her wrists and gold hoop earrings. No doubt her short, sleek haircut was courtesy of a pricey salon.

She looked completely out of place here, except for the way she stroked the horse’s nose. Whoever she was, she knew horses, which made her outfit even more puzzling. She touched the horse with great affection, reaching up to scratch under his forelock as she murmured softly.

Something about the way she communed with Ink Spot told Zach that she wasn’t eager for company. He should just finish up his hammering and leave by the back door. On the other hand, she didn’t look very happy. Zach knew all about unhappiness.

She’d been so motivated to seek the comfort of horses that she’d risked her expensive outfit by coming out to the barn. That meant she must be really upset, and by speaking to her, he could be intruding on a private moment. Plus, they didn’t know each other.

He’d about decided to go back to his hammering when she turned toward him. “You’re probably wondering what the hell I’m doin’ here dressed like a Sunday school teacher.”

No Sunday school teacher he’d ever known had looked like that, but the Southern accent clued him in. This had to be Jeannette Trenton from Virginia. Everybody on the ranch knew her story, even a new hire like Zach.

Last year she’d been Regan O’Connelli’s fiancée, but then she’d cheated on him with Regan’s best friend, Drake Brewster. Consequently Regan had left Virginia and moved to Wyoming. He was related by blood or marriage to quite a few Chance family members, and they’d all been incensed about Drake and Jeannette’s betrayal.

Since then Regan had found a new love, Lily King. Then Drake had shown up to make amends, and in the process he’d become chummy with a local woman, Tracy Gibbons. Drake had also invited Jeannette to Wyoming so the three former friends could bury the hatchet. They seemed to have done that, but members of the Chance family weren’t so quick to forgive and forget.

Zach could imagine why Jeannette had come out to be with the horses for a while. Even in his brief time here, he’d figured out that angering a Chance, or someone connected to a Chance, was a huge mistake. He gave both Drake and Jeannette props for braving that disapproval in order to repair their friendship with Regan.

So this was the woman at the heart of the controversy. He had no trouble picturing that, because she was stunning. Apparently she’d known that he’d been staring. Maybe she was used to men looking at her, because if she’d been attractive in profile, she was breathtaking full-on. Those green eyes were showstoppers, not to mention her kissable mouth.

He cleared his throat. “Um, I didn’t mean to bother you. I heard you come in, and I thought maybe...” What? His mind went blank. Pretty embarrassing for someone who used to make his living as an entertainment lawyer, someone who’d dealt with A-list actors, directors and producers every day. She didn’t have to know that, though. He wasn’t that guy anymore.

“I was tryin’ to help with the food for Regan and Lily’s engagement party, but...” She gestured to her blouse. “As you can see, kitchen duty is not my talent.”

He walked closer. Yeah, now he noticed flecks of something that could be meringue or white frosting on the front of her blouse. “It sort of matches your pants.”

That brought out a sad little smile. “You know, I told them that very thing, but they were all worried about the blouse, which I surely appreciated, but they don’t have time to mess around with a klutz like me. I’d already dropped a bowl of chocolate chips. I thought I could frost that danged cake. I swear, how hard can that be? Turns out it’s harder than it looks on TV.”

He couldn’t help smiling back. “Everything’s harder than it looks on TV.”

“Isn’t that the God’s truth? Anyway, I decided to make myself scarce and just naturally gravitated to the barn.”

“I completely understand. You obviously know your way around horses.”

“My folks raise them.” She turned back to the horse. “Who is this, by the way?”

“Ink Spot. He’s nursing a sprain, so he didn’t get to go out.”

“His bad luck, but my good luck. I wasn’t thinkin’ the horses would be out in the pasture, but of course they would be on a fine day like this. Back home they tend to bring them into the air-conditioning in the heat of the day.” She stroked the gelding’s neck. “And who would you be?”

Because she wasn’t looking at him, he didn’t immediately understand she was asking for his name. But he’d already supplied the horse’s name, so she had to mean him. “I’m Zach. Zach Powell.”

She continued to caress the horse. “I suppose you know who I am.” Her version of I sounded more like ah.

“I didn’t until I heard your accent.”

She was quiet for a moment. “It’s real strange, knowin’ that people talk about you behind your back. Of course, people do that all the time. You just don’t know it for sure. In this case, I do.”

“For what it’s worth, I have no stake in this situation. I started working here last month and I’m not related to any of the players.” He could add that his law training predisposed him to remain impartial until he’d heard all sides of a story. But for now, he was just a cowhand, and that suited him fine.

“You’re new here?” She glanced at him with a spark of interest in her eyes. “Where’d you come from?”

“California.”

“Then I’m pleased to meet you, Zach Powell. I have to say you’re the first person who hasn’t looked at me with thinly disguised suspicion, like I might suddenly sprout horns and a tail. Well, I take that back. Sarah Chance seems willin’ to suspend judgment, and her cook, Mary Lou, is friendly. But Regan’s sisters...” She sighed.

“Not welcoming?”

“No, and I can’t say as I blame them. I don’t have a brother, or a sister, either, for that matter. But if I did, I’d probably behave exactly the same way. They’re loyal and I admire that. I just...don’t know what to do.”

“Well...” Zach hesitated. He had some thoughts, but it wasn’t his place to make suggestions.

Her gaze sharpened. “What? If you have ideas, speak up. I could use some advice.”

“All right. You look great, but you don’t exactly blend into the scenery.”

“Don’t think I don’t know it.” She glanced down at her outfit. “My mother taught me that wearin’ nice clothes is respectful, plus I’d heard that the Jackson Hole area was filled with celebrities so I thought this ranch might be dress-for-dinner sophisticated. I should have asked Drake more questions before I flew out here.” She swept a hand down her body. “Everything I packed is like this.”

“And Drake didn’t say anything once he found that out?”

“We haven’t discussed my wardrobe choices. The poor man is so in love with Tracy he wouldn’t notice if I ran around naked. Same thing with Regan.”

Zach would certainly notice. Thanks to her comment, he was picturing that scenario in vivid detail. He tried to erase the image, but his libido wouldn’t cooperate. He hadn’t been involved with anyone for months and had thought he didn’t miss sex all that much. Judging from the stirring in his groin, he’d missed it more than he’d realized.

To take his mind off the subject, he focused on a potential solution to her problem. “You need to go shopping.”

“I think you’re right, but I don’t know the area. Where should I go?”

“Shoshone has a few shops, but if you want to get what you need, you’d better go to Jackson.”

She took a deep breath. “Then I’ll just head to Jackson, I guess. Do you recommend any particular stores? No, wait, never mind. I can figure it out. You’ve been a big help already, and I—”

“I get off at five. Give me time to shower and change, and I’ll drive you up there. We can take my truck. Everything stays open late for the tourist trade.”

Her shoulders sagged in relief. “That sounds fantastic, but are you sure it’s not too much trouble?”

“No trouble at all. I could use a couple of things myself.”

“Then I’ll pay for gas.”

He smiled. “Not necessary.”

“No, seriously. And I’ll buy dinner. It’s the least I can do.”

He started to argue with her. He hadn’t dated since making this drastic change in his lifestyle. Previously he’d been the high roller who picked up the tab, and having her pay for gas and food felt weird. His wages at the Last Chance were a joke compared with what he used to make in Hollywood, but he’d invested well and didn’t ever have to work again if he chose not to.

Unless he planned to explain that, though, he might want to keep his mouth shut and accept her offer. “Okay, thank you. That would be very nice.”

“I’m staying at the Bunk and Grub. Do you know it?”

“Yep. Nice bed-and-breakfast down the road.”

“It is. Very nice. At first I was in the cabin Drake rented, and he said I was welcome to it now that he’s moved in with Tracy. But it’s kind of remote, and I’m a city girl. I’m not all that brave when it comes to things like...well, grizzlies.”

“Don’t blame you. I’m really careful out at my campsite. I keep everything bears might want locked up tight inside the Airstream.”

She blinked. “Campsite? You don’t live in the bunkhouse?”

“Oh, they offered to put me there. But then I’d have to store the Airstream, and besides, I like living in it. So Jack gave me permission to park down beside the creek that runs through the property.”

“Jack Chance?”

He laughed. “The one and only. A legend in his own time.”

“So I hear. I haven’t officially made his acquaintance. Do you get any electricity down there?”

“I have a little generator. Don’t run it much. Mostly I cook over the campfire and I have a solar water setup outside for taking showers.”

“Sounds primitive.” But instead of looking appalled, which would make sense given her city-girl orientation, she seemed intrigued.

“It works for me.” Then it occurred to him that he’d just painted a picture of him naked. From the gleam in her eyes, could she be enjoying the image of him standing under that solar shower? Hmm. “So how long will you be sticking around?” He was suddenly more interested in that.

Her jaw tightened. “I’m determined to stay until after the engagement party, no matter how unwelcome I may be.” Then she clapped a hand over her mouth. “Did I just say that out loud?”

“You did, but you said it to the right person. I’m not here to judge. I’ll bet socializing with this crowd is a bit uncomfortable for you.”

“You don’t know the half of it. But like I said, I can’t blame them at all. I’ll tough it out because I want to give Regan and Lily a big hug on their special day. That’s important to me.”

He wondered if Drake’s new romance bothered her. She might have been hooked on the guy and now he’d moved on. “So the party’s tomorrow night. Are you leaving Sunday?”

“I didn’t want to run off like my danged tail was on fire, so the plan is to fly out Monday.”

“I see.” Not much time to get to know each other. That was sort of disappointing given that some mutual attraction seemed to be developing.

“And I need to get back to my job.”

“Doing what?”

“I’m a lawyer.”

“Is that so?” He should get an Academy Award for his casual response. Inside he was laughing his head off. He’d worked so hard to leave that profession behind, and now he was making goo-goo eyes at a member of the clan. The last person in the world he’d ever date would be another lawyer. “What’s your specialty?”

“Do you need legal advice?”

“No.”

“I ask because usually when I mention that I’m a lawyer people’s eyes glaze over. But if they have a legal issue, then they want to know what kind of lawyer I am, either because they might hire me or, in some cases, they’re after free advice.”

“I know.” Whoops. “I mean, I’ll bet. But I don’t need a lawyer.” Not in any sense. “I was just curious. Anyway, you have to survive until Monday.”

“I do, but I’m sure more appropriate clothes will help me with that. That’s so obvious I can’t believe I didn’t think of it, although I wouldn’t know where to go. The party’s being held outside, so jeans would be good.”

“And boots.” Zach glanced down at her yellow shoes.

“Guess so. These aren’t going to work for a barbeque.” She lifted one foot to peer at the sole. There wasn’t much surface area to the bottom of her stiletto, but the little that existed was dotted with smashed chocolate chips, dirt and bits of straw. “Good Lord.” She groaned. “I probably tracked chocolate chips all over Sarah’s hardwood floor on my way out.”

“Probably.”

“Worse yet, the housekeeper is one of Regan’s sisters. Cassidy idolizes that brother of hers. She’s already wantin’ to snatch me bald-headed, and now she’ll have to clean up my trail of chocolate. I’ll have to go back inside and apologize to her. To all of them.” She glanced up at Zach. “You must think I’m a total screwup, but I swear I’m not. At least not normally.”

“I believe you.”

“Do you?” She met his gaze. “I don’t know why. I’m the woman who cheated on my fiancé with his best friend. Then I showed up here in designer clothes more suitable to a country club than a ranch, and obviously I made a mess of things in the kitchen.” Her voice caught. “If that’s not a description of a screwup, I don’t know what is.”

She seemed to be on the verge of tears and he considered pulling her into his arms and letting her have a good cry on his shoulder. She probably needed to release some of that tension that had her wound way too tight. But they’d just met, and he also sensed a Southern reserve in her. If he coaxed her into crying it out, she might be horribly embarrassed afterward.

Besides, if she were going back inside to apologize for the chocolate on the floor, she wouldn’t want to have red, puffy eyes. He’d only known her a short time, but he could already tell she wouldn’t want her vulnerability made public. Unfortunately, her natural reserve might be working against her, too.

So he settled on words of encouragement to shore her up instead of physical contact that would make her lose her cool. “You can’t be a total screwup. You flew out here and made peace with your ex. That took diplomacy and guts. Even though you know nothing about cooking, you volunteered to help prepare the food for tomorrow’s party while working with women who aren’t all in your corner. That takes nerves of steel. I’m just a bystander to this drama, but from my perspective, you’re pretty damned incredible.”

She stared at him for a long time, her eyes growing suspiciously bright. Then she sniffed and used her thumbs to flick away the moisture gathering on her lower lashes. “Thank you. You can’t know how much that means to me.”

“Oh, I have some idea. I’m a recovering perfectionist.”

Her smile trembled. “I’m just a plain old perfectionist. Maybe on the drive to Jackson you can tell me how to get rid of that tendency because it’s a royal pain in the ass.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you never get rid of it.”

“That is bad news.”

“But you might be able to cut it down to size.”

“Then I want to know how to do that.” She held out her hand. “Until tonight. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me, too.” He clasped her hand and his adrenaline spiked. Her grip was firm but her skin was petal-soft. He forced himself to let go when all he wanted to do was draw her closer...and closer yet.

Awareness flashed in her green eyes. “See you later, Zach Powell.” Turning abruptly, she walked out of the barn without looking back.

He was grateful for that, because he couldn’t seem to move. He stood there like a fool and watched until she was out of sight. His visceral reaction to her had him by the throat, or more accurately, by the gonads.

But she didn’t need a lover right now. She needed a friend. Even if she had been in the market for a lover, she worked in the profession he’d vowed to avoid. So he’d help her shop, share a nice dinner and that would be that.

2

ALTHOUGH IT WASN’T quite five-thirty, Jeannette came downstairs to wait for Zach in the Bunk and Grub’s parlor. Usually someone was in there reading or knitting or texting, but the room was empty. Then she remembered that the other guests were probably gathering on the back porch for the B and B’s scheduled happy hour.

She’d attended that event the previous night and had enjoyed herself until she’d received a text from work. Then she’d gone back to her room so she could straighten out an issue at the office, and by the time she’d finished, happy hour had ended. The porch had been deserted.

For a little while, though, she’d been a welcome part of a social occasion. The guests were all from someplace else so no one knew that she was persona non grata in Shoshone. She could go back there now, reconnect with those nice people and have some wine while she waited for Zach. The young woman at the reception desk near the front door could come and get her when he arrived.

But even though that was a pleasant idea, she’d rather stay here and watch for him. She didn’t care if she looked eager for the trip to Jackson and the chance to be with him again. She was eager. He was her new friend.

In addition to that, he was a beautiful man. At first glance she’d noticed his broad shoulders and lean hips. She’d registered his confident stance. But when he’d moved closer she’d been captivated by the expression in his cloud-gray eyes. His Stetson had shaded his face slightly, but shade couldn’t mute the intelligence and compassion in those eyes.

Sure, male appreciation had flickered in his gaze. That was fine. She wouldn’t complain about getting that look, which hadn’t been sleazy in the least. But it was his sincere compliment that had blown her away. His empathy for her situation was greater than she’d felt from anyone since she’d arrived. Much as she understood everyone’s reaction to her, she’d desperately needed someone like Zach to show up.

Bolstered by his understanding and his praise of her courage, she’d managed to walk back into the ranch house with her head high. She’d apologized for her clumsiness and inexperience in the kitchen. She’d apologized specifically to Cassidy for the chocolate smeared on the hardwood floors in both the hall and the living room.

Had it still been there, she would have gotten down on her hands and knees and cleaned it up herself. But the chocolate had been gone—no doubt someone had seen the chaos she’d left in her wake and reported it to Cassidy.

Jeannette didn’t want to think about the comments that must have flown around as the floor was cleaned. Yet when she’d come back into the kitchen, everyone had been perfectly nice to her, including Cassidy. She gave them all credit for that.

But there hadn’t been a lot of warmth coming her way, and she’d caught a few exchanged glances that had made her stomach twist. Maybe if she’d gotten to know them prior to the Christmas Eve drama, this situation wouldn’t be so awkward. But during her engagement to Regan, she’d only met his parents. There hadn’t been time to fly out to Jackson Hole to see his sisters.

Now they were obviously only being nice for Regan’s sake, which was admirable. But if they could somehow manage to see past her awful mistake and get to know and like her as a person... No, that was probably asking way too much under the circumstances. She couldn’t help longing for it, though.

Before she’d left the kitchen, she’d mentioned the clothes issue and had acknowledged that hers weren’t suited to the weekend’s activities. She’d told them about the planned shopping trip with Zach, which had caused a few more exchanged glances.

She hoped that eighteen-year-old Cassidy didn’t have a crush on Zach. Jeannette didn’t want her to be jealous on top of everything else. Cassidy was the only single woman on the ranch, but Zach was too old for her. Jeannette wasn’t good with ages, but the crinkles at the corners of his amazing eyes put him at somewhere past thirty.

And that made him the perfect age for her, since she’d just hit the big three-oh this year. Not that she had any business comparing ages as if they had a future together. He seemed very happy to be a ranch hand in Wyoming living in his Airstream. She was very happy as an attorney in Virginia.

But that hadn’t kept her from fantasizing about him taking his solar shower in front of God and everybody. Or replaying his kind words to her right before she’d left the barn. In her fantasy they ended the moment with a kiss instead of a civilized handshake.

She was intensely grateful for his encouragement and help, and their relationship would probably only be a platonic one, but he was very handsome. She’d been doing penance for her sins ever since she and Drake had admitted they weren’t right for each other. She hadn’t gone on a date since, which had been almost eight months.

Maybe she could be forgiven for having inappropriate thoughts about Zach. She wondered if his sensitive behavior had nudged her libido because it telegraphed his potential as a wonderful lover. It was a logical conclusion.

Any man who’d take the time to listen to a woman’s troubles and offer to help her solve them would likely also be committed to giving his sexual partner pleasure. He would employ all the skills he possessed in that endeavor. He wouldn’t rest until she was utterly and completely satisfied.

Oh, Lord. That concept made her hot. She got up from the sofa and began to pace the small parlor. She’d better rein in her fantasies before he arrived because a man like him would sense her reaction. That would be plain embarrassing.

The receptionist, a slim brunette, left her desk and walked into the parlor. “Happy hour is about to start,” she said. “Would you like a glass of wine while you wait? I can bring it to you.”

“No, thanks. But that’s very sweet.” Jeannette estimated the girl was about Cassidy’s age and conscientious about her job.

“I like your outfit.”

“Thank you.” Jeannette had chosen the least dressy combination she’d brought, but even so the ankle pants were beige linen and the black blouse was silk. At least she’d tied the shirttails at the waist in a faux casual way. Her black Ferragamo mules added a good three inches to her height. She’d left off the bangle bracelets and wore the smallest gold hoops she owned. “I’m afraid my clothes don’t fit in very well, though.”

“They would if you were staying in Jackson. It’s more cosmopolitan there. Are you sure you wouldn’t like some wine? When Pam’s not here, it’s my job to make sure the guests are happy.”

“She’s not?” Jeannette had thought the B and B owner would be on the back porch serving drinks as she had the night before.

“She’s spending the night with her husband. Good thing I’m over twenty-one so I can serve liquor.” The girl smiled.

“Where’s her husband?” Vaguely Jeannette remembered a ring on Pam Mulholland’s left hand, but she hadn’t seen a husband around.

“Over at the Last Chance. He’s the foreman there. Emmett Sterling.”

“I did not know about that.”

“Some people think it’s strange because she didn’t take his name and they each kept their own place, but I think it’s cool. Well, I’d better head back there before they get restless.” With a grin, she whirled around and left the parlor.

No sooner had she disappeared than Zach walked in the front door. For a brief moment he paused to gaze at her, and the air between them seemed to crackle. Damn, he looked good—clean white Western shirt, snug jeans, polished boots and a light gray Stetson pulled low over his eyes.

She took a deep breath and drew in the spicy scent of his cologne. A little spot of dried blood on his chin indicated that he’d nicked himself while shaving. How endearing. Maybe he was a little bit excited about this shopping excursion, too.

He cleared his throat. “You look great.”

“For a greenhorn.” She picked up her black cloth shoulder bag from the sofa.

“No, just plain great.” He walked into the parlor. “I almost hate to take you shopping for jeans when what you have on suits you so well.”

“But as we discussed, it’s impractical for a ranch barbeque. And although no one’s offered to take me out on a horse, I couldn’t ride like this, either. Besides...I want to fit in.”

“Then let’s go.” He ushered her through the front door and down the sidewalk to his truck, which turned out to be muscular, black and dusty. “I would apologize for the state of my truck, but it’s always like this. Black is the wrong color if you live at the end of a dirt road.”

“But aren’t dirt roads inevitable if you work on a ranch?”

“As it turns out, yes. I didn’t take that into consideration when I bought this baby.” He walked with her to the passenger side and opened the door. “At least the inside’s clean.”

“Nice.” The smell of new leather greeted her as she climbed in and buckled up. The seat rivaled the comfort of her Mercedes back home. He’d splurged on this vehicle, and recently, too. She didn’t know how much ranch hands made these days, but the job must pay better than she thought or maybe he’d come in to some money. Or he could be up to his ears in debt.

He settled himself behind the wheel, closed his door and started the engine. The truck’s deep-throated rumble was decidedly masculine. So was the man sitting next to her, and his cologne tantalized her even more in the enclosed space of the air-conditioned cab.

She tried to remember the last time she’d ridden in a truck. Even though her parents raised horses, the valuable Thoroughbreds were always transported by professionals in semis. Her family drove luxury cars. Even if she had been a passenger in a pickup a time or two, she certainly hadn’t been chauffeured by a Stetson-wearing cowboy.

When she’d imagined this trip to Jackson, she hadn’t anticipated that Zach’s truck would provide a sensually rewarding experience. She’d assumed he’d have an ordinary truck, maybe one with some rattles and worn upholstery. Instead they cruised down the highway effortlessly.

He glanced at her. “How did things go in the house when you went back?”

“Fine. No one’s ever been rude to me, but I can tell they’re only being nice because they’re decent people and they love Regan. So do I, but I doubt they’d believe me if I said so.”

He was quiet for a moment. “You’re still in love with him?”

“Not in love, but I love him as a friend.”

“Oh.” He didn’t sound convinced. “I’m not sure I understand how that works.”

“You’ve never had a close woman friend, someone you loved but weren’t in love with?”

“I’d have to think about that. My close relationships with women always seem to have a sexual undertone. Then when we act on that, we have an affair, and after it ends, we’re usually not that close anymore.”

She wasn’t surprised that he ended up in bed with his women friends. One look at his classic profile as he drove this massive truck got her engines running. His hair was a soft brown with enough curl to curve around his ears. She even liked the shape of those ears. Women would naturally want to get their hands on this guy.

“That’s the way it often goes,” she said. “I’m the last person to brag about my relationship skills. I used to be so proud of my situation with Regan and Drake. I had love and sex with Regan and cherished Drake as a close friend. But a bottle of wine and general dissatisfaction with the status quo ruined everything.”

“If you could go back and change that, would you?”

“Good question.” She settled into her comfy leather seat. “If you’d asked me that last January, I would have said yes, in a heartbeat. But now I realize the status quo wasn’t right, and goin’ to bed with Drake was probably my subconscious effort to change it. Regan and I didn’t have the bone-deep passion and commitment that would carry us through fifty or sixty years of marriage.”

“Did you have it with Drake?”

“God, no!” She laughed at the thought. Talking about this with someone who wouldn’t judge was a huge relief. “He had his own reasons for shaking things up, but an undying love for me wasn’t one of them.”

“He told you that?”

“More or less. I admitted the same thing to him. We were a sorry pair, all right. I should have broken up with Regan instead of getting smashed and having sex with his best friend. But wedding plans have a life of their own. My parents had made a sizable, nonrefundable down payment on the venue. The wedding party had been chosen, and the dresses and tuxes had been ordered.”

“You felt trapped.”

“Yes.” She heard something in his voice. “From the way you said that, I’m guessing you know what that’s like.”

“Absolutely.”

“Did you almost marry the wrong person, too?” That would explain his empathetic response.

“Nope. But I know what it feels like to be going down a road and realize it’s the wrong one, but you can’t get a handle on how to change it.”

“How so?”

He smiled. “Not now. I want to hear your story.”

She made a note to ask later. “There’s not much more to tell. Drake and I caused a scandal. My folks pretend they’ve forgiven me, but they haven’t. I think Regan has, though. And Drake, Regan and I are almost back to normal. I wish Regan’s extended family could let it go, but...they may not. I’ll have to live with that.”

“I predict they’ll warm up.”

“If I wear different clothes?”

“Won’t hurt.”

“I found out something right before you picked me up. I thought by staying at the Bunk and Grub, I’d escaped the Chance family’s influence.”

He looked over at her. “You didn’t know that Pam was married to Emmett?”

“Why would I? They don’t even live together!”

“Which is apparently how they like it. They married late in life, so they each need their space, except for...well, the obvious.”

“Right.” And here they were focusing once again on the topic of sex. The cab was roomy, but not so big that she didn’t feel his energy across the console. He was a potent guy.

“Pam is also Nick Chance’s aunt.”

“She is?” Jeannette sighed. “And Regan joined Nick’s veterinary practice when he moved out here, so that explains why Pam has been friendly and polite, but never warm. I thought she was simply being professional, but no, she’s part of Team Chance. Oh, well.”

“What about Drake? You shouldn’t be dealing with this alone. Is he getting the cold shoulder, too?”

“Oh, probably to some extent, but he’s been here longer, and now he’s involved with Tracy, who’s very popular, I gather. They may be giving him a pass because Tracy likes him.” Her phone chirped, indicating she had a text. “Will you excuse me a minute? I should get that. It might be from work.”

“On a Friday night?”

“Oh, yeah. My assistant is dedicated.”

“By all means, see what’s up.”

Jeannette checked her phone, hoping for good news from Erin, her paralegal assistant. Instead Erin confirmed that they had a big hole in their research on the current case. She promised to work through the weekend to plug that hole, which made Jeannette feel guilty. She should be there helping Erin dig up the information they needed to build a solid defense.

But she wasn’t there, and so all she could do was text her sincere thanks for Erin’s effort. With a sigh, she put her phone back in her purse. Maybe she should change her flight and go back on Sunday, after all.

“Problems?”

“I was afraid we hadn’t thoroughly researched a contract dispute, and sure enough, we haven’t. The client expects an open-and-shut case, but at this point, there’s no guarantee that we’ll prevail.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Why?”

“I might be able to help.”

She was touched, but if he made his living as a cowhand, he wouldn’t be of much use in this capacity. She didn’t want to insult him, though. “I can describe the case, and I appreciate your offer, but I’m not sure that you—”

“I may not be able to help considering that you’re in Virginia and every state is different. But it’s worth a shot. Contract law has similarities all over the country.”

“Yes, but I still don’t think—”

“Look, nobody besides Jack knows this, and I’d rather not broadcast it if you don’t mind, but...I was an entertainment lawyer in Hollywood for thirteen years. Contract law is my specialty.”

She stared at him. “Well, that sure as hell explains this fancy truck.”

3

JEANNETTE OUTLINED THE CASE, which involved a contract for the sale of a registered Thoroughbred foal. Even though he’d never dealt with the intricacies of Thoroughbred racing, he knew contract law. He grasped the essentials fairly quickly and they debated the merits of the case all the way to Jackson.

He’d thought his interest in contract law was dead. Maybe not. The lively discussion with Jeannette was more fun than it should have been if he’d abandoned his profession. In his heart he knew he hadn’t totally given up on practicing law.

But his job at the Last Chance satisfied something basic in his nature. He loved working with the horses, repairing things around the ranch, even shoveling shit. The idea of going back to a desk job didn’t appeal to him at all.

Before they’d reached the outskirts of Jackson, Jeannette had texted several suggestions to her assistant, Erin, and had received an enthusiastic response. Jeannette laughed and turned to Zach. “She wants to know if I’ve stumbled upon a hidden law library up in the hinterlands.”

He couldn’t pretend that wasn’t gratifying. “Just tell her you met a burned-out lawyer who still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Maybe none of them will pan out, either. You have a complicated deal there.”

Jeannette sent the message and got back an instant reply. “She says I should lasso you and bring you back to Virginia as...” She stopped.

“As what?” Luck was with him and he found a parking space on the square near the Western-wear store. He pulled into it.

“Never mind.”

“No fair.” He shut off the engine and turned to her. “What did she say?”

Even at this hour, the summer sky was bright, so her blush was easy to see. “As my, um, love slave.”

He laughed. “How did she come up with that? I thought we were talking about lawyerly things.”

“I might have said that I met a sexy burned-out lawyer.”

“Oh, yeah?” More and more, he regretted that she was leaving on Monday.

“You know you are, Zach. I mean, look at this truck. It oozes testosterone.”

“Well, that’s good. A manly truck was what I was going for. I just didn’t figure on the dust.” He surveyed the crowded square. “Which will it be, food or shopping?”

“Food. I’ll shop better on a full stomach. Besides, now that I know about your background, I have millions of questions about why you’re here and not there.”

“It’s simple.”

“I doubt it.”

He opened his door. “I promise you it is, but now that you know I have resources, will you let me buy dinner?”

“Absolutely not. If your suggestions work, then you saved my bacon on this case.”

“Don’t jump to any conclusions. I might have sent you and your assistant down the wrong bunny trail.”

“Or not. Assuming you set us on the right track, I owe you way more than a dinner.”

“Oh?” He couldn’t resist teasing her. After all, she was the one who’d called him sexy. “And what exactly did you have in mind that would repay that enormous debt?”

She met his gaze with a deadpan expression. “My eternal gratitude.”

“Damn. Guess I’m not quite sexy enough, even driving this big-ass truck.”

“Hold on.” Her green eyes danced with mischief. “You don’t know what my eternal gratitude might inspire me to do.”

Lust arrowed through him and centered in his crotch. He took a steadying breath. “Good point. Guess I’d better take your eternal gratitude for now and see how things work out. Let’s find some food.”

Twenty minutes later they were finally seated in a little Italian restaurant a block off the main square. It was the only place that didn’t have a two-hour wait. He should have anticipated that Jackson would be hopping on a Friday night in August, which was still officially tourist season. At least a table for two was easier to snag than if they’d had a larger party.

He ordered a bottle of Chianti and poured them each a full glass. They were on the far side of the square from the Western-wear store and the truck. By the time they ate, walked back around the square and shopped for her clothes, he’d be fine to drive.

Picking up his glass, he raised it in her direction. “Here’s to settling your case in your client’s favor.”

“I’ll drink to that.” She touched her glass to his and took a long swallow.

He watched her slender throat move, forgetting to drink his wine. All he could think about was pressing his mouth to that ivory skin and driving her wild with his kisses. She’d told her assistant he was sexy. He really wanted to prove that assumption.

“Zach? Are you okay?”

He snapped out of his sexual daze. “Great. Just great.”

“You haven’t touched your wine.”

“I was waiting for you.”

“Am I the taste tester? If I keel over, you’ll know not to drink it?”

“No, I... Ah, to hell with it. You’re beautiful, Jeannette. I’ve been trying to ignore that, but then you went and told your assistant that I’m sexy. That sort of changed the game for me.”

She put down her wine and gazed at him across the small table. “Okay, I’ll admit that you fascinate me, especially now that I know you had this whole other life before becoming a cowboy. What happened? Why did you give it up?”

“If I tell you that, I’m liable to lose some of my sexy quotient.”

That made her laugh. “I doubt it. Come on. We have time before our meal arrives, and I really want to know.”

He sighed. “Okay, might as well ruin my image sooner than later. I’d been dissatisfied for quite a while, although I wouldn’t admit it to myself. Couldn’t see myself walking away from all that money.”

“That’s understandable.”

“Nice try. But it’s not understandable when you figure I’d socked away enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life.”

Her eyes widened.

“Please don’t be impressed.”

“I’ll be impressed if I want to.”

“No, seriously, don’t be. You can make crazy money in Hollywood. But it’s a hectic life and your values can easily get skewed.”

“Sure, for the stars, but—”

“For anyone working in the business. I wasn’t morally bankrupt, at least not completely, but I was the contract lawyer for someone who was. He was a horse’s ass who never showed up at the set on time or else he’d be drunk, stoned or both. The studio finally fired him, but I got him the money, anyway. Millions. He sent me a case of Dom Pérignon and a pricey call girl.”

“Wow.”

“For the record, I kept the champagne but sent the call girl home.”

“You must be a damned good lawyer.”

“Used to be. Past tense.”

“That seems like a shame.” She picked up her wine and gazed at him over the rim of the glass. “All that education and experience, going to waste.”

“You’re not the first person to mention that.”

“I mean, sure, I can understand wanting to leave L.A. if you were burned out from that lifestyle, but you could set up shop somewhere else, especially if you have savings.”

“Just can’t get excited about doing that.”

“So you became a ranch hand, instead. Why?”

He sipped his wine as he thought how to answer without sounding starry-eyed. “I’ve been around Hollywood enough to know that the cowboy fantasy is a myth created by books and movies. But it’s a good myth, and it has some basis in fact.”

“Maybe it does.” Her green gaze became thoughtful. “Regan once said the guys he met at the Last Chance lived up to the image of what a cowboy should be—brave, honest, protective. I’m not surprised he’s happy to be part of that mystique. He’s all of those things.” Regret shone in her eyes. “He didn’t deserve—”

“Hey.” He leaned toward her. “He didn’t deserve ending up with the wrong person, either. Because of your actions, he didn’t. I propose a moratorium on guilt, at least for tonight.”

“Okay, but that goes for you, too. I hope you’re not still feeling guilty about the money you won for that actor.”

He thought about that. “I am, but you’re right. I need to lose the guilt. It’s over. Can’t do anything about it now.”

“Right.”

“Anyway, the reason I wanted to become a ranch hand is that cowboys are considered heroic, and I wanted to feel like that.” He shrugged. “Stupid, huh?”

She shook her head. “No,” she said softly. “Sweet.”

“Ugh. No man wants to be called sweet. The sweet guy is the best friend of the dude who gets the girl. Everybody who watches movies knows that.”

“That depends. Sometimes the sweet guy has a very good chance of gettin’ the girl.”

“He does?” Zach tried to read her expression to see if she was teasing him or not. The light had faded outside and the restaurant was lit by little candles that cast shadows everywhere.

“I’d say so.” She drained her wineglass and put it down carefully on the table. “I’ve been under a lot of stress lately, but bein’ with you is the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time.”

“Then I’m glad I suggested this.”

“Life’s not so fun when you don’t like yourself very much. Sometimes I don’t know if people really are disapproving of me or if I’m projecting my own feelings onto them. But I’ve never sensed disapproval from you.”

“Like I said, it’s not my place to judge.”

“Yes, but not judging is a neutral position. You go beyond that to offer support to the person with difficulties—namely, me.”

“Maybe because I know what it’s like to live with regrets, especially for those of us who expect a lot of ourselves.”

She took a deep breath. “It sucks.”

“Yeah.”

She regarded him silently for a moment. “I’ve only known you for a little while, but I think we have a lot in common. The lawyer thing took me by surprise, but now it makes even more sense that we click.”

“Yeah.” He grimaced. “Rotten timing for two people to click.”

“Tell me about it.”

He looked into her eyes, and his breath caught as he recognized longing...and heat. Oh, yeah, lust simmered just beneath the surface, and he responded, despite himself. A wise man would look away, pick up his wineglass, change the topic.

But he’d been a fool for less important things. His heart pumped faster. “Or maybe it’s the perfect time.” He reached across the table and took her hand. She sucked in a breath. Clasping her hand between both of his, he massaged her soft skin. “If you could have anything you wanted right now, what would it be?”

“Oh, Zach. Don’t ask me that.”

“I am asking. Tell me.”

She took a shaky breath. “I would love...a break from all of this drama...with someone who’s not a part of it.”

“Like me.” His body warmed, tightened.

“Yes, but—”

“I can do that. Let me give you that tonight.”

Her eyes glowed with excitement for a brief second, and then she closed them and shook her head. “I don’t want to make another mistake.”

“How can it be a mistake? You’re free. I’m free. No one ever has to know.”

She opened her eyes and met his gaze.

“This is between you and me.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “It’s our business. Nobody else’s. I’m a lawyer. I understand confidentiality.”

Her smile trembled. “I’m sure you do.” She sounded breathless.

“Just say yes and leave the rest to me.”

“I’m so tempted....”

“Let yourself be tempted. Let yourself go.”

She stared at him for a long time as a blush crept over her cheeks. “Okay.”

“Okay.” Now he was starting to shake. “Are you still hungry?”

“No.” She swallowed. “To be honest, I haven’t wanted a man this much in...I don’t know how long.”

“Then let’s get—” Belatedly he remembered the original reason for this trip. “Wait. You still need those clothes.”

“I’ll be a power shopper.”

“Sounds good. Let’s head out.” He reluctantly let go of her hand and signaled for the waitress.

She hurried over. “Your order should be ready any minute. We’re a little backed up in the kitchen.”

“Actually, we’re going to have to leave.”

“I can have it packaged to go, then.”

“Fine.” He hadn’t figured out the details of the evening yet, so maybe that would work.

“Just give me a few more minutes.” The waitress left.

Jeannette scooted back her chair. “I have an idea. You wait for our dinner and the check and I’ll head on over to the Western-wear store you pointed out. No need to bore you with the shopping.”

He couldn’t imagine being bored as long as she was around. But she was right about conserving time. “All right.”

She reached for her purse. “Dinner’s still on me, so I’ll just—”

“You will not leave money for the bill.”

She paused in the middle of digging for her wallet and gave him a tiny smile. “Okay, I won’t. And FYI, your take-charge attitude is very sexy.”

Lust slammed into him so hard it was a wonder he didn’t gasp out loud. Getting through the shopping would be tough, but if they didn’t handle that now, they never would.

“Meet you at the store.”

“See you then.” The minute she walked away from the table he pulled out his phone. He’d made the transition from mover and shaker to good ol’ boy, but that didn’t mean he’d forgotten how a mover and shaker handled situations like this. If Jeannette liked his take-charge attitude, she was gonna love the idea he’d just come up with.

Because of the number of tourists in town, he had to make several calls, but within ten minutes he’d booked a luxury suite at one of Jackson’s finest hotels. He hadn’t experienced that brand of pampering since leaving L.A. and he hadn’t missed it at all. But then, he hadn’t entertained a woman since then, either.

When the waitress arrived with their takeout order, he paid for the meal they wouldn’t be eating and returned the bag with his apologies. He gave her an extra large tip and hoped she’d find a home for that food. He wasn’t going to haul doggie bags into a five-star hotel with excellent room service.

By the time he left the restaurant and started toward the clothing store, he was feeling in control of the proceedings. A gorgeous woman had agreed to spend the night with him and that was reason to celebrate.

Oh, hell. He stepped to the edge of the sidewalk so he wouldn’t block traffic and pulled out his phone again, doing a quick web search. Fortunately there was a drugstore a couple of blocks away. He made the journey in record time and tossed the small bag into the truck before heading back toward the Western-wear store.

Jeannette was checking out when he walked in. She glanced up. “Hi. I was beginning to think I’d lost you.”

“Not a chance.”

She handed her credit card to the clerk. “What took so long?”

“I’ll tell you on the way.” He joined her at the checkout counter. “Find everything?” Looked like it, judging from two large bags sitting there.

“I did.”

“Boots?”

“Yep.”

“Hat?”

“I love my hat. It’s white straw. I think you’ll like it.” She signed the credit-card slip and tucked the receipt in the bag. “Ready?”

“More than you know.” He was on fire for her. “I’ll take those bags.”

“Thank you.” She hesitated. “So now...”

“You said you liked my take-charge attitude.”

“I do.”

“So I’ve taken charge.”

4

JEANNETTE FELT ENERGY pouring from Zach as he helped her into the truck. Then he took her bags and stowed them in the covered truck bed. Finally he climbed into the driver’s seat and closed the door.

But instead of buckling himself in, he laid his hat on the dashboard, turned toward her and unfastened her seat belt.

She gasped at the unexpected move. “Aren’t we leavin’?” She thought he was as eager to get on with the evening as she was.

“In a minute.” He cupped her cheek in one large hand. “I need to do something first.”

She looked into his eyes, warm with emotion. He planned to kiss her, and how she longed for that. But she was afraid once they started kissing, they would never stop. “Maybe we shouldn’t...” She lost track of what she’d meant to say as he stroked his thumb gently over her cheekbone. His touch was heaven.

“Yes, we should. We’re about to become lovers, but we haven’t even kissed.”

“Except we’re in the middle of the town square.”

“I know.” He leaned closer. “We’ll be fine.”

“What if we get carried away?”

The corners of his beautiful mouth tilted. “I won’t.”

“You might. I’m a pretty awesome kisser.”

“Prove it.”

She never could resist a challenge. She craved the feel of those sculpted lips on hers even if they were taking a risk making out in a public place. “All right.” She grasped his head in both hands. His hair was exactly as soft and silky as she’d imagined. “Come here, you.”

He was extremely obliging. In the very next second he covered her mouth with his. Too late, she discovered that she might be the one who would get carried away. She was in the presence of a master.

From that first velvet contact, he was fully in charge. Her world narrowed to the pressure of his lips, the glide of his tongue, the warmth of his breath. His kiss tasted like all the decadent pleasures she’d dreamed of having with a man and had never quite had.

And she wanted those promised pleasures. Her body ached for them. She tried to get closer and came up against the console. She moaned in frustration and writhed against the supple leather of the seat. She needed...more.

Slowly, with obvious reluctance, he eased away. But then he returned to nibble and lick as if he couldn’t make himself abandon her mouth. She didn’t want him to, either.

“We have to go,” he murmured between quick kisses.

“Not yet.” She pulled him back for another deep, passionate round that left her panties wet and her heart racing.

When he finally broke away, he was breathing hard. “We really have to go.”

“I know, but...” She tried to tug him down again. “One more for the road.”

He resisted her efforts and loosened her grip. “Buckle up. We’re getting out of here.”

With a sigh, she leaned back and buckled herself in as instructed.

“You were right, by the way. You’re a pretty awesome kisser.” He started the truck, checked his mirrors and backed out of the parking space.

“Ditto. Um, I suspect you have everything figured out, but where are we going?”

“I booked us a room.” He said it casually as he navigated through traffic with practiced ease.

She shivered in excitement. “I should help you pay for—”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“Okay.” She wanted to ask where this room was, but figured he wanted to surprise her. Considering his previous job and the luxury of his truck, she didn’t think they’d end up at the cheap sleep.

Watching him drive the huge truck with quiet confidence was very arousing, as was this latest gesture of his. She’d made a veiled request for a sexy time-out, and he’d handled the details. In doing that, he’d increased his hotness by at least a thousand percent.

“That’s what took me so long while you were shopping. Well, that and my own shopping.”

“Right.” She had trouble making casual conversation when her body was humming with anticipation, but she gave it her best effort. “You said you had to pick up a few things, but I thought you meant clothes from the Western-wear store.”

“Not clothes.”

“Then what...? Oh.” The electricity arcing between them was almost visible. “Is there anything you haven’t thought of?”

“You’ll have to do without makeup in the morning.”

In the morning. They’d make love all night. She had trouble sitting still. “That’s what you think.” She always kept an emergency makeup kit in her shoulder bag.

Judging from the looks of the entrance where he turned in, they were staying in a luxury resort. “You sure know how to dazzle a girl.” If she sounded a little breathless, she figured she had cause.

“I’m under a time constraint. If I don’t dazzle you now, I might never get a chance.”

“Trust me, you’re way up there on the dazzle meter.”

“Good to know.” He pulled under the portico for valet parking.

While a doorman helped her out of the truck, Zach retrieved her shopping bags from the back. She’d never checked into a hotel with only two shopping bags, but Zach treated the experience calmly, as if he did it all the time. She suspected he was giving her a glimpse of the L.A. lawyer he used to be.

He might be used to swanky one-nighters, but she wasn’t. She’d certainly stayed in plenty of hotels like this, though. Her parents wouldn’t accept anything less when they traveled.

But tonight she was checking in with a guy wearing jeans, boots and a Stetson. He was an irresistible combination of sophistication and down-home earthiness. His assumption that this was all perfectly normal made her wonder about his past.

Maybe she’d ask him. Then again, maybe she wouldn’t. It didn’t matter. This was one night, not the start of something significant.

Once she and Zach stepped into the glittering elevator, he transferred both shopping bags to one hand so he could pull her close for a quick kiss. “Is this working for you?”

“If you mean am I impressed out of my mind, yes, it’s workin’ for me.”

“Good.” He gazed down at her as the elevator kept climbing. “In case I forget to say it, thank you for deciding you’d like to spend the night with me.”

“You’re welcome, but I have the feeling I’ll be the one feeling thankful when this is all over.” The elevator pinged to a stop and she noticed they were on the top floor. “You rented the penthouse?”

“It was all they had.”

“Zach!” She stepped out of the elevator and her wedge heels sank into thick carpet. Ahead of her, double doors stood open and she walked into a living area furnished in sleek leather and polished wood. The lamps may have been on a dimmer switch since the light was muted and atmospheric. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out on the lights of Jackson and shadowy mountains in the distance. “This must have cost a fortune.”

“I don’t care.”

She glanced at a wet bar on the far side of the room. Champagne sat in an ice bucket on the granite counter, along with two crystal flutes and an elegantly arranged cheese-and-fruit platter. She turned back to him. “Seems a shame it’s only for one night,” she said softly.

He dropped the bags at his feet and sent his hat twirling toward a lamp. It landed precisely on the finial. He walked toward her, his gaze intent. “Then we’d better make the most of it.”

If she’d been prone to swooning, she might have done it then. No man had ever treated her like this, as if she were everything he ever wanted, as if every moment they were together was more precious than his next breath. Such a fantasy couldn’t last, of course, but it might hold up for a few hours. Then she’d have her unspoiled memory to relive as she reentered the real world.

She spread her arms. “I’m yours for the night. What do you want to do first?”

He laughed. “If you have to ask, then you haven’t been paying attention.”

“I don’t have to ask.” If he could act with flair, so could she. “Stop right there.”

He paused. “I had in mind something involving bodily contact.”

“Me, too, but let’s build up to it.”

“I’ve been doing that ever since you agreed with me in the restaurant that this is the perfect time. Before that, if I’m being honest. When you came into the barn this morning you mentioned that Regan and Drake wouldn’t notice if you ran around naked.”

“I guess I said something like that.”

“You said exactly that, and immediately I pictured you that way.”

The luxurious setting, the stress of the past eight months and the gorgeous man standing before her made for an electric combination. She was ready to kick over the traces. “Then let me make that picture a reality, cowboy.”

He started forward. “I can help.”

“No.” She held up her hand to stop him. “You’ll get the full effect if you stay where you are and watch.”

He swallowed and clenched his fists, as if he had to do that to control himself. “Okay.”

Knowing how much he wanted to touch her gave her courage to put on a show for him. She’d never felt inclined to do that for a man. But Zach, with his classy ideas and his passionate kisses, inspired her to new heights of sensuality.

Standing in the living room of this expensive suite made the adventure even more exotic. She wasn’t in a bedroom doing this, but in an elegant living area with floor-to-ceiling windows. They were too high up for anyone to see in, but stripping down here felt much more risqué than if she were in a smaller room with the drapes closed.

She started by untying her shirttails. She didn’t rush it, either. From there she unfastened the mother-of-pearl buttons down the front. Although she’d had the blouse for a long time, she’d never appreciated the sensuality of sliding those buttons free, one by one.

Zach’s chest rose and fell more rapidly with each button. When at last she slipped the blouse from her shoulders and let it drift to the carpet, he moaned. That sound caused her nipples to tighten.

Instinct made her touch herself through her black lace bra. She stroked in a circular motion and watched his eyes darken to the color of storm clouds as he focused on her lazy caress. Then she cupped her breasts and in one dramatic gesture, opened the front clasp and shrugged out of the garment. It, too, fell to the floor at her feet.

The sound of his ragged breathing filled the silence, but he stayed where he was, muscles rigid and hands fisted at his sides. The material of his fly strained over his growing erection, and his gaze was so very hot.

She’d never felt so powerful in her life. She nudged off her shoes and unbuttoned her pants. Her hands trembled, not from nervousness, but from the adrenaline rush of knowing she was driving Zach crazy.

She was no expert at this striptease routine, but it didn’t matter. For one night she could do anything and be anything she wanted. Just as he’d said in the restaurant, it was their business. Nobody else’s. That kind of freedom was a whole new experience for her, but she was catching on fast.

Peeling down her pants, she eventually kicked them aside and stood before him wearing only a tiny scrap of black lace. His attention was riveted on that lacy triangle. She knew he wanted it off, but she had other ideas.

She’d never done this, either. But she’d never have a better reason than now, in this luxury suite with this fascinating man who was almost a stranger. She slipped her hand inside her panties.

Zach sucked in a breath.

“I won’t make myself come.” She hardly recognized her own voice. It was low and sultry, the voice of a temptress. “I’ll let you do that.”

“Please.” He sounded desperate.

She continued to fondle herself. “Tell me what you want.”

“You know.” The words came out tight and hard.

“Tell me.”

“I want to put my mouth where your hand is. I want to make you come. God, Jeannette...”

“That could be nice.”

His jaw tightened. “I promise it will be.”

She withdrew her hand and deliberately licked her fingers. “Will I get to return the favor?”

He groaned. “Yes, so now can I—”

“Yes, you may.” And she slipped off her drenched panties and kicked them away.

He wasted no time. In two strides he was there, kneeling at her feet, splaying his hands over her bottom as he nuzzled his way to the epicenter of all her pleasure. She’d known from the way he kissed that he’d be amazing at this, too.

But as he loved her, as her legs threatened to give way and she clutched his shoulders for support, the word amazing didn’t begin to describe the sensations rocketing through her. He took charge once more, and she was helpless to control her response.

Her gasps became whimpers, and her whimpers grew in volume. When he paused, she wailed in frustration. His soft laughter told her he was teasing her, testing her. She failed the test because she shamelessly begged for more.

He gave more, of course. He was only giving as good as he’d gotten, gently torturing her as she’d tortured him. But in the end, he finished what he’d started and she came in a glorious cascade of pleasure. So good. So very good.

He guided her trembling body down to the thick carpet. Dazed by the force of her climax, sounds traveled to her as if she were underwater. She vaguely registered the clink of his belt buckle, the rasp of his zipper and the crinkle of foil.

His mouth found hers, and he tasted of sex. He kissed her for a long time before raising his head. “You don’t have to do anything,” he murmured. “Just lie there. But I need...” He eased between her thighs and the blunt tip of his cock sought the hot, quivering spot he’d loved so thoroughly with his mouth. “This.” He slid deep with a heartfelt sigh. “Oh, yeah. This.”

Little shock waves of delight zinged through her as he locked himself in tight. Then he began to stroke in and out and she didn’t even have to think about it. She wrapped her arms around him and lifted to meet each thrust.

“Ah, Jeannette,” he murmured in her ear as he increased his speed, “you’re with me.”

“Yes.” She matched his pace and felt another orgasm building.

“I can’t... I don’t think I can wait.”

“Don’t wait.” Sliding her hands down, she gripped his firm buns, pressing her fingertips into his solid muscles as he pumped steadily. His rhythmic movements excited her even more. “I’m right behind you.”

He began to pant. “Damn, you feel incredible. If you didn’t feel so great I could hold off, but I...I can’t... I have to... I’m...” With a soft curse, he moved faster yet.

His excitement fueled hers. She kept up with him as he pounded into her, and when at last he cried out and drove home, she erupted at the moment his spasms hit. She held on tight as his body shook in time with hers. His groan of satisfaction brought her overwhelming joy, the kind of incandescent happiness that made her toes curl.

She had no idea how long they lay on the floor, but she had no inclination to move. She’d slept on beds that weren’t as cushioned as this carpet.

Eventually Zach propped himself on his forearms and gazed down at her with a smile. “You know, this is funny.”

She reached up and traced that smile with her fingertip. “Why?”

“I booked this room so our first time together could be on a high-end mattress on a king-size bed. And look at where we are.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Never.” He leaned down and kissed her on the nose. “But since we’ve had the floor experience, I vote we conduct the next round in bed.”

“And when do you anticipate the next round will start?”

Levering himself higher, he swept a glance down her naked body. He rested on one arm and cupped her breast. Her nipple responded to the lazy brush of his thumb. “Might not be long.”

Deep within her body, she felt the twitch of his cock.

He continued to play with her breasts, and the twitch came again. “Might not be long at all.” He looked into her eyes. “If we don’t have much time together, I don’t want to waste any of it.”

“I don’t, either.” But now she saw the fatal flaw in his otherwise excellent plan. They’d created a ticking clock, not unlike lovers had in wartime, where every moment could be their last. That might make this time with Zach seem more significant than it was. She’d have to guard against that kind of delusional thinking.

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