Gentling the Cowboy (Texan Nights Series #1)(25)
Author: Ruth Cardello

Tony rubbed one of his temples angrily. “You know that barn we’ve been thinking about building in the far back?” David looked at him blandly, thankfully not addressing the fact that this was the first mention of it. “We’ll need someone to build it. I don’t expect anyone to pay for the material out of pocket. Give Russell an advance and tell him there’s no rush on building.”

After a slight hesitation, David said, “I’ll call him tomorrow.”

Tony nodded and started out the door, then stopped. “I don’t want to talk to him about it.”

“Understood.”

“And I’ll kill the first man I hear speaking poorly of Sarah—here or in town.”

“I’ll pass the word,” David said seriously, then in a lighter tone added, “but if you want some privacy, you may want to stop calling for search parties.”

Tony had glared at David over his shoulder, but David had merely smiled back at him. The man had a point, but that didn’t make hearing it easier.

Lying in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, Tony admitted the ugly truth to himself. I’m making a fool of myself over Sarah and ruining her reputation while I do it. Nothing matters as much as tasting those sweets lips again. All I want to do is sink my tongue into her wet pu**y and lose myself in the scent of her.

He had some serious thinking to do before he spoke to Sarah tomorrow morning, but there was something he’d have to do first. He freed his erection and resigned himself to another night of easing his frustration himself. He emptied his mind of everything except Sarah and how they would have spent the night if he’d chosen to join her in her bedroom instead.

Chapter Ten

I’m over this adventure.

Sarah dressed in simple jeans, a plain navy blouse, sneakers, and lace underwear. Oh, yes, today is definitely an underwear day. If I had granny panties I’d be wearing them right about now. Sarah collected her makeup and shampoo from the small bathroom attached to her bedroom. She placed them in plastic bags and angrily threw them back in her suitcase.

I don’t belong here.

It’s time to realize that the reason I haven’t written anything of substance yet is because I’m not a writer. And the reason this trip has gone from the shower to the toilet is because I’m not the adventurous type.

Sarah picked her cowboy boots up and held them sadly before leaving them beside the bed. I’ll leave them behind along with all of my ridiculous fantasies about Texas. Look at them. They don’t fit in here any more than I do. How did I not see that? Sarah turned and zipped one bag closed, continuing her inner rant as she did. How could I have been so stupid? He doesn’t want me.

What about the orgasm? All those hot kisses?

Curiosity? A challenge? After all, he knew that I hadn’t had one yet. Maybe he wanted to see if he could.

Sarah sighed as she remembered the pleasure he’d brought her, then angrily zipped another piece of luggage shut. Well, now he knows that he can, and the mystery is gone for him.

Gone like I will be in just a few minutes.

It took her two trips to get her bags into the front hall. She heard Melanie in the kitchen but didn’t ask her for help. Although she’d probably love to help me load up my SUV, now that she doesn’t have to figure out how to get rid of me.

Sarah held the door open and dragged her large suitcase out the door, down the steps, and to the side of her SUV, in the shade on one side of the driveway. She didn’t bother to wave to the men she saw in the doorway of the barn. It wasn’t like they’d wave back anyway.

How could I have thought that spending any amount of time here would be good for me? With a forceful swing she flung the heavy bag into the back of her vehicle, using her anger as strength. When she turned around to return to the house for her second bag, she walked right into a wall of muscle.

Tony.

He steadied her with a hand on either arm, but she shook free of him and took a step to the side to get past him. He sidestepped with her, blocking her way. “Want to tell me what has you all riled up this morning?”

She glared up at him. “No.” I don’t owe you anything. I already paid for this trip with my pride.

“Did something happen?”

Nothing happened, you big buffoon. A big, fat nothing. How can you think that’s okay when I took a risk and shared everything with you? Hands on her hips, Sarah grit her teeth and said, “I have to get my other bag.”

He suddenly looked as angry as she felt, but she didn’t care. As soon as she hooked up her trailer and collected Scooter he and his mood swings could have Texas all to themselves.

“Did someone say something to you?” he demanded, gripping one of her arms.

She ripped her arm away from him, red embarrassment spread up her neck. Oh, my God, tell me he didn’t share my stories with anyone. Tell me he and David didn’t have a laugh over how pathetically desperate I am. Oh no, there will be no evidence left behind when I peel out of this place.

As her anger grew, she advanced on. “I want my notebook back.”

Those deep green eyes searched hers. “I don’t have it.”

Liar.

“Do you think this is funny?” she accused.

Tony scratched at his jaw as if trying to unravel a puzzle before answering. “Maybe if you calm down we can . . .”

That’s it.

Something within her snapped. She put a flat hand to the middle of his chest and pushed him back a step. “Calm down? Calm down? I trusted you. Even if you have no interest in me at all, that doesn’t give you the right to treat this like a joke. If you don’t hand it over, I’ll . . . I will . . .” What do you threaten a huge cowboy with? Nothing sufficient came to mind so she pushed him again. “Just give it back so I can get the hell out of here.”

He grabbed her hand as it left his chest and held it, pulling her closer until she had to tip her head back to look up at him. His eyes burned with what she had labeled as desire for her, but maybe it had been nothing more than the enjoyment of making her look like fool in front of the men who’d stopped working to watch their exchange. “Let go of me,” she snarled.

“Not until you tell me what has you all wound up.”

“Really? You need me to say it? Fine.” She lowered her voice and glared at him. “I left you a message in my notebook last night. I put it right on your bed. Are you telling me that you didn’t see it?”

A glimmer of a smile stretched his lips. “A message? In your notebook? The notebook?”