Lone Heart: Red Hot Weekend (6 page)

“I don’t need anyone. I didn’t place that ad to find a cowboy to keep me company. I needed someone to help us keep this place afloat.”

His steady gaze stared back. “Fine. I’ll stay out of your business. But I’m still goin’ to Abilene by myself. I need a little time alone.”

Since she didn’t know how to respond, she pulled the reins to the side and turned away, heading back to the ranch house. She passed Lonny again, who sat with his back against a gnarled tree now. She refused to read anything into the determined angle of his jaw, although she had the sinking feeling he’d already set his mind to seduction.

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Excited, a little sick to her stomach. Her hands shook, but she tightened one around the reins while resisting the urge to press the other against her belly to still the nervous quivers.

The night she’d let go of her reason and her inhibitions haunted her every time she escaped to her room after dinner. Sitting across the table from Lonny was pure torture.

His green eyes had a way of looking at her that seemed to take her measure, find her weaknesses. And she knew she was weak when it came to resisting his allure. While she and Drew chatted about their days, Lonny remained silent except when Drew asked him a direct question. And at the end of every meal, he’d praise her cooking, saying something that would harken to their encounter and send color burning in her cheeks.

“I’ve never tasted muffins quite that good, ma’am. You add some special spice?” Innocent enough if anyone else had said it to her, but the laughter in his eyes made her body tense and her pussy throb with want.

Lonny Wyatt was a flirt with very naughty intentions. She’d wondered how Drew hadn’t seen it, but maybe he had after all. Maybe he hadn’t put a stop to Lonny’s wicked taunts because he’d seen how she reacted—not with anger, but desire.

Friday morning, Charli shut the trailer door, then strode around to side of the truck. She stepped up on the truck rail, grabbed the bottom edge of the window and leaned inside. “You’re all set? Got the credit card?”

Drew rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom. I have the card. I’ll call tonight to let you know I got there safe.”

“You’ve got deposit slips?”

He patted his shirt pocket. “As soon as the sale’s over, I’ll hit the bank. Stop worryin’.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re antsy. And I bet I can guess why.”

They hadn’t spoken again about the fact she’d be alone with Lonny, but the subject had hung over their heads like a thundercloud all week. There was no use trying to deny the obvious. “Seriously, why are you tryin’ to hook me up with him?”

Drew wrapped his fingers over hers and gave her a squeeze. “Darlin’, I’ve had some time to think. We didn’t work, Charli. We weren’t supposed to. We’re too much like brother and sister.”

“That may be, but why would you think it might ‘work’ with someone like Lonny Wyatt?”

Drew shrugged. “Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. But Daniel wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone.”

Charli rolled her eyes. “This weekend isn’t about finding someone to spend my life with, Drew. He’s not gonna stay.”

“Maybe he’s just someplace to start.” He cupped her cheek, then ran his thumb across her bottom lip before letting it drop. “Let go, Charli,” he said, his voice soft. “Have some fun. I sure as hell am.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

His grin was quick. “One of the auctioneers hit on me the last time I was there. Said she’d take me to dinner the next time I came to town.” His gaze dropped to where her fingers still hugged the rim of the window. “Now, you’re keepin’ me from my date and she’s not the kind to wait around.”

“You tellin’ me the truth?”

Drew crossed his heart. “Swear.”

Charli gave him a smile, then leaned through the window and kissed his cheek. It had been the first time she’d offered him one since the they’d slept together. She’d felt too awkward ever since.

He chuckled and set the truck into gear. “Now, unless you’re plannin’ on bein’ a hood ornament, you need to hop on down.”

She jumped to the ground and watched as he pulled away. Guilt faded as she realized he’d meant it. He really did want her to move on.

Turning back to the house, she walked slowly. One weekend, Lonny had said. To let down her hair. Have some fun. Drew sure wasn’t pining for her. She thought she knew which auctioneer he was talking about. A sassy, fast-talking redhead. Tall, well built.

Charli smiled softly, thinking about quiet, thoughtful Drew holding on to the tail of a red tornado.

She picked up her pace, her footsteps lighter than they had been. She’d been worried about him, about whether he still carried a torch. Maybe he never really had. Maybe he’d thought she needed taking care of like she had when Daniel died.

The door to the barn was open, and she glanced inside to find Lonny drawing a halter over his horse’s head. When her feet crunched in gravel, his head swung her way. “Drew gone?”

She nodded, feeling nervous excitement rising, but still too awkward to know what to say.

Lonny’s glance slid lazily down her body. “Don’t you need to take care of some things?”

His sexy, rumbling baritone made a shiver creep down her spine. Charli shrugged. “I always have things to do.”

He grunted. “I’m talking about girl things. A long, hot bubble bath. I like things smooth, Charli.”

She swallowed hard, getting his meaning in an instant. Her pussy clenched. “I haven’t said yes.”

“Wasn’t asking a thing. Just letting you know how I like it,
ma’am
.”

Jutting her chin, she gave him a scowl and pivoted on her heel, but she was smiling as she walked away. She hadn’t fooled anyone. She was more than ready to hand over the reins and find some pleasure.

So she would have a little fun with a sexy cowboy. Didn’t have to lead to anything. She wasn’t in love with him, or he with her. Having sex with Lonny wouldn’t be like it had been with Daniel. Daniel hadn’t had any rules about body hair. She laughed at the thought, then her smile melted slowly away.

Her husband had been her first serious high school crush. Her first kiss. Her first everything. When he’d made love to her under the stars in the bed of his pickup, it had been after he’d promised her the moon and his heart.

Now she was all grown up. A mature woman. And women her age had casual sex all the time.

“Yeah, keep tellin’ yourself that, Charlene Kudrow.”

Casual would be the last thing Lonny would give her. Hard, intense, mind-blowing…

Yeah, never casual, but it still didn’t have to mean a thing. And she’d never risk her heart on another cowboy.

Chapter Five

Lonny combed his fingers through his damp hair and strode toward the sound of music playing softly in the living room, following the trace of floral perfume that drifted in the air. At the doorway, he paused. Candles burned in small hurricane lanterns set on the mantle and the end tables beside the couch, lending the room a golden glow.

Charli sat on the sofa, dressed in jeans and a soft blouse, her legs curled beneath her and her hands wrapped around a glass of red wine. She wore her hair down and it gleamed in the candlelight. It looked soft, and he couldn’t wait to bury his nose in it to see whether it smelled like fruit again or flowers.

There were so many things he couldn’t wait to discover about Charli Kudrow, first being what had put the faraway look on her face. She seemed sad, and he wasn’t having it. The last thing he’d allow was for her to have any regrets that he would be the man sharing her bed this night.

“Evenin’, Miz Kudrow,” he said softly so as not to startle her.

She wrinkled her nose. “You just tryin’ to get a rise out of me?”

“Maybe I’m hoping you’ll return the favor.”

Her lips curved into a sweet, shy smile. Her rosy blush was prettier than anything that could come from a bottle or a brush. He noted the soft strawberry color she’d dabbed on her lips and groaned, because he knew it matched the color of the intimate parts he’d be touching soon, if she didn’t lose her nerve.

“There’s wine on the sideboard,” she said, gesturing with her glass.

“A little Dutch courage?” he murmured, but sauntered toward the cabinet and poured a glass for himself before joining her on the couch.

They sat turned toward each other, but not touching. He took a sip of the fine, dry wine, then set the glass on the table in front of them. “No second thoughts?” he asked, glancing her way.

“You really want to talk about this?”

He leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, his head turned toward her. “A woman should have some expectations—about a man’s intentions, about what she wants.”

“I thought I’d leave that to you.”

“You trust me that much?”

“No, but I’m trying to tell you I have no expectations.”

“No expectations…” He shook his head. “You must not think a lot of me or of yourself.”

Her features screwed up in a grimace. “Did I insult you again? I was tryin’ to make this easier.”

Lonny couldn’t say why her need to keep this casual made him angry, but anger wasn’t an emotion he wanted anywhere in this room. “Charli. Stop it. Now.”

She swallowed another sip. “Sorry. Guess I’m a little nervous.”

“Of me?”

“I’m not a player.”

He grunted. “Like me?”

“You have experience romancing women.”

“I do. But you seem to think this doesn’t mean very much to me, you agreeing to be with me.”

She blew out a long stream of air before locking gazes with him. “Lone Wyatt, I’ve been with exactly two men my whole life—”

“Three. I assumed you and Drew—”

“Once,” she said, her voice firm. “However, I wasn’t counting—”

“What happened at the motel. You weren’t counting me. Why’s that, Charli?”

“It’s not that you don’t count, it’s that—”

His teeth ground together. “This doesn’t mean anything.
I
don’t mean anything…to you.”

Her eyes filled. “I didn’t say that,” she whispered.

“Be sure what you say. Words do hurt.”

“But they shouldn’t, this…” She waved her hand, seemingly at a loss for the right word.

“This isn’t what? Real? Serious? You’re only taking me for a test drive because you’re lonely and I’m a willing dick?”

She slid her feet off the sofa and started to rise, but he couldn’t let her leave. At last, she’d shown some fire, some emotion other than cautious fear and stubborn reserve. He grabbed her wrist and yanked her onto his lap.

When she fell against him, she pushed against his chest. Once. Then she settled, tears stubbornly welling, but not rolling free. Light from the lanterns made them glitter and appear larger, more vulnerable.

She bunched his shirt in her fist and pounded his chest. “Dammit, Lonny. This is just supposed to be fun. A chance to let our hair down, and get whatever it is between us—”

“Gone?” he asked softly

Her eyebrows furrowed over sorrowful eyes. “Yes.”

Lonny swallowed down the lump in his throat. “What do you think happens come Sunday night, Charli?” he asked, his voice gruff. “Are we gonna pretend nothing happened? I don’t think I can do that. If you’re not half as into me as I am you, tell me now. I’ll head back to my room and do my best to pretend I haven’t watched you come apart in my arms. That I haven’t been sunk so deep, I could feel your heart beat from inside.”

Her gaze wavered beneath his. “I want you.”

“But you don’t want to love me, do you, Charli?”

“You’re not Daniel,” she said, her voice cracking.

And there it was. The real problem. Lonny’s stomach clenched like he’d been kicked by a mule. “You think he’s the only man you’re ever gonna love? He’s dead, Charli,” he said, keeping his voice flat so it didn’t shake. “I’m here. I don’t know where this is leading, but I’m not gonna keep my heart closed off so I won’t be hurt. I’ve had my share of thrills. I’m looking for something more.”

“Maybe I don’t have it to give.”

“But you do. It’s written on your face every time you look at me. You want more. You just have to decide you’re willing to give this a try.”

She sniffed, her glance falling away. “This isn’t where I saw this evening going.”

He sighed. “I had no expectations.”

She snorted. “You told me to shave. I think you had a few.”

A smile tugged at his mouth. “Did you?”

Her mouth twisted, then a small smile turned up the corners. “Guess you won’t know if all we’re gonna do is talk.”

“Just as long as you know I’m not just playing around.”

She nodded, her expression shy. But he was satisfied because he saw a glimmer of hope in the look she cast him from beneath the fringe of her tear-spiked lashes.

“We’ll talk later, sweetheart. Hold on.” That was all the warning he gave as he lunged off the sofa, holding her in his arms.

Hers encircled his neck, and she leaned her head against his chest as he carried her to her bedroom. She didn’t redirect him to his room, which made his chest ache. She would let him lie next to her in the bed she’d shared with her husband.