So Tough To Tame

“You’ve been living in Nevada too long if you think a nice Wyoming boy is going to let a woman haul furniture on her own.”

She grinned. “I guess you’re right. I’ll have to get used to Wyoming again. More chivalry, less gambling and legalized prostitution.”

“There are subtle differences, but they’re there if you look.”

“Thanks for the advice. I’ll put away my poker chips and platform heels and try to fit in.”

He winked as he crossed to the other side of the bed and fit a new frame piece onto that side. “There’s no need for anything that drastic, darlin’. Just be yourself. Let it all hang out.”

She snorted at his ridiculous flirting, just as she always had. There was no way to take it seriously. He flirted with everyone, young and old. She’d always been smart enough to see that. But she was finally ready to flirt back.

“You have any beer in the fridge next door, Walker? There’s no need for this to be all work and no fun.”

He didn’t seem to notice her inviting smile. “Oh, I’ve always got beer, but I’ve got to head up toward Yellowstone for a couple of hours. I’ll grab a couple bottles for you if you want, though.”

“No, I’m good. If you need to get going, you should go. I’m fine.”

“Girl, didn’t you hear what I said about us nice Wyoming boys? I’ll have the rest of your bed up here in five minutes.”

Girl. Just like in high school. Charlie drew herself up, a tingle of anticipation zinging down her spine and tightening her nipples. She wasn’t a girl anymore. And she wasn’t his pal or his tutor or his favorite tomboy track star. He couldn’t see that yet, but he would.

She’d always liked a challenge. “Then go get my bed, Wyoming boy. I’ll buy you a beer tonight at the Crooked R if I see you around.”

“That’s a deal.” He stepped past her, then surprised her by reaching out to ruffle her hair as he passed.

He ruffled her hair.

Unbelievable. That decided it. This boy was going down. Hard. And frequently, if she had anything to say about it. She was finally going to get a taste of Walker Pearce. And from what she’d heard, he’d taste damn good.

She hadn’t gotten laid in months, and working at a resort that hadn’t even opened yet hadn’t exposed her to many opportunities. But opportunity had knocked now. And it lived right next door.

CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_aeed6419-02b4-575a-a841-14f3cc62de78)

THERE’D BEEN NO room for Walker at the inn. Literally. All the bunks at the Blue Sleigh Inn and Ranch were full for the winter, which wasn’t much of a surprise. Most of the cowboys who worked there during the summer stayed on, and there wasn’t nearly as much work during the winter. But he’d been invited to stop by again in the spring, for what that was worth.

Muttering a curse, he stepped out of his truck into the icy night. The sun had set two hours ago, and he was already dead tired, stressed from dodging migrating elk on the highway and trying too hard to read the face of that ranch manager. She’d seemed sincere. She hadn’t sneered at him. She hadn’t flirted, either, or dropped any hints about rumors she’d heard. He was being paranoid, probably, thinking the word was out that he couldn’t be trusted.

At least tonight he was too damn tired to lie in bed worrying about it. He wasn’t cut out for this crap. His life was simple. He took care of horses. He taught folks how to ride. He roped and herded and branded cattle. It wasn’t that hard and he wasn’t that deep. Anxiety was for city folks and people a lot smarter than he was. He just wanted to work and hang with friends and occasionally have a little fun with a hot woman. Clearly, he should’ve been more careful about mixing all those up at the same time.

His legs felt weighted with lead as he trudged up the front steps of the Stud Farm. He grunted in surprise when the door opened before he could reach for it.

“Hey, Walker!” Merry Kade called as she bounced outside.

He automatically tipped his hat and grabbed the door to hold it open for her. “Evening, Merry.”

“Your friend is so much fun!”

“My friend?”

She bounced her hip against his leg as she passed. “Charlie, silly. She’s hilarious. You’re coming over, right?”

He glanced over to the saloon, feeling not the least bit tempted. “No, I’m beat. I’ll catch up another time.”

Merry spun around at the bottom of the steps. “No, you have to come, Walker! Just for a little while. Charlie said to think of it as her homecoming party. Look, she made me go put on my heels.” Merry lifted her foot and angled it so he could see the black heels she wore.

“I’d better not,” he said with a wink. “I left my last pair of heels at the ranch anyway.”

Merry snorted with laughter, but she didn’t give up. “Even Rayleen’s having fun.”

That made him pause. And then Merry pushed the button that was hardest for him to ignore.

“Come on, Walker. I can barely walk in these things. Be a gentleman and let me hold your arm.”

Well, shit. He wouldn’t say no to that, and she knew it. Her smile tipped into triumph. Walker gave in with a sigh. “Fine, I’ll walk you over to the saloon, and then I’m leaving.”

“We’ll see.”

She took his arm even though he highly suspected she didn’t need any help. Then again, he hadn’t often seen Merry in heels. She was more a jeans and Converse kind of girl. “Where’s Shane? I like it when he gets all riled up about you.”

She grinned. “Me, too. But I don’t think he’s home yet.”

“Aw, that’s too bad. I was going to dance you around the saloon porch a little, just to rub it in.”

“I don’t dance in heels. I just sit on a bar stool and look stunning.”

“Same as without heels, then?”

She elbowed him and snorted. “You’re such a dork.”

This was what he loved about Merry. No one ever called him a dork. And he was damn sure no one had ever called Shane Harcourt a dork, either, but Walker had heard Merry say the same to him. No wonder Shane was hooked. Merry was sweet and smart as hell. Unfortunately, that kind of woman didn’t go for Walker. Not for the long term anyway.

He escorted Merry up the steps to the saloon porch, then hesitated at the door. He normally loved a good night out, but he wasn’t in the mood quite as often lately.

Merry tugged him forward. “You can drop me off at the bar.”

“In case you think I don’t know I’m being played, I know I’m being played,” he muttered, but he opened the door and waved her in.

Country music thumped through the air, and his heart immediately reset itself to the rhythm. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe he could stay for a few minutes to be polite. He let Merry lead him toward the bar. She’d apparently dropped any pretense that she needed a steady arm to support her, but Walker couldn’t resent it. He’d spotted a hot female ass in tight jeans and Merry was taking him straight toward it.

“Look who I found!” she called to the crowd at the bar.

Several faces turned toward him, but Walker was busy raising his eyes up the woman’s spine and over long brown hair to see Charlie smiling over her shoulder at him. He blinked, surprised yet again that she was all grown-up and working a gorgeous ass. His eyes slipped down again, over her long, long legs to the bright red spike heels she wore. Damn.

“Hey, Walker,” she purred when he drew near.

Wait, he thought as he leaned down to return her hug. Charlie Allington purring? He must’ve heard that wrong.

“You ready for that payment I promised?” Her breath whispered over his ear, the words sneaking inside him.