Dedication

To my fabulous beta reader, Margie Hager, for spotting my typos. To the Hill Country 4, Cerise

Deland, Brenna Zinn and Jordan Dane, who help me unscramble my brains. To my wonderful editor,
Heidi Moore, who believed in the Naked Cowboys. And to all of my readers everywhere who take
my Naked Cowboys home with you. And of course, to the real Matt and Reenie Stark who started this
wild ride. Thank you all, more than you will ever know.

Chapter One

“Cade, I’ll give you one more chance here.”
Ed Ramsey, owner of the Lone Star Bar, stared at Cade Hannigan. Cade stared right back at him,

wishing the man would say his piece so he could hide in his room with the two six-packs he’d
managed to filch. Lately, it seemed the only way he could get to sleep at night was to drink himself
into oblivion. The pittance he got from the saloon for cleaning up in the morning barely covered what
he drank at night. So what if he helped himself to some extra now and then?

He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his feet, waiting for Ed to spit out what was

on his mind.

“What now?” he asked.
“I’m short on the bottles of beer again,” Ed said, his tone flat. “We’ve had this discussion before.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Cade fisted his hands in his pockets. “So blame the bum, right?”
“I’d be a little more concerned if I were you.” The bar owner studied him, his gaze sliding over

Cade’s skin like sharp glass. “I’m about the only one left willing to give you a job and a place to
crash.”

And isn’t that just the damn fucking truth.
Cade wanted to kick something. A year ago, he’d been on top of the world, waving an open

checkbook wherever he went, crushing people who annoyed or irritated him. People hung around him
because he was Cade Hannigan. The name meant power and money. Now, thanks to his late father’s
gambling, it was all gone. People who’d kissed his ass wouldn’t cross the street to kick dirt on him.
Or reach out a hand to help him. He was reduced to sleeping in a crappy little room over the Lone
Star Bar and cleaning up for scum wages. So what if he copped a six-pack or two now and then?
Didn’t he deserve something to cushion his miserable existence?

“Cade?” Bob Everett prompted him.
“I hear you. Don’t worry. I won’t steal your crappy beer.” At least not more than I already have.

“Can I go now?”

“As long as you remember what I said. And I’m cutting you back to two drinks. Just so you know.”
“Thanks for your generosity,” Cade growled.
“Listen, you asshole. No one else will even let you drink in their place. So go crawl into your

corner, swallow your booze and get the hell out before you scare away the customers.”

Cade pushed his way out of the back room into the bar. Under Ed’s eagle eye, he poured himself a

double shot of bourbon and carried it to his usual table in the corner. It was still early in the evening
so there weren’t too many people in the bar yet. He hunched over his drink, his jacket collar turned
up. If he could make himself invisible he would.

Sometimes he made the drinks last as long as possible. After all, where did he have to go except

the rat hole he was living in? Other times, when he got tired of people looking at him with equal parts
of pity and scorn, he scarfed the alcohol down and got the hell out of there.

Tonight, the place was only about half full and no one seemed to be paying particular attention to

him, so he could enjoy his own private pity party. Damn his old man for putting him in this bind
anyway. The Hannigans had owned the biggest ranch in this part of Texas and had extensive real
estate holdings. Private plane. Big parties. People bowing and scraping. Then his father dropped

dead of a heart attack and Cade discovered the old man had gambled away just about everything and
the entire estate had to be liquidated to satisfy creditors. He’d been completely humiliated. Not to
mention the fact his friends had suddenly disappeared.

No money, no friendship.
He had just carried his second drink back to his table when the outside door opened and the

atmosphere was filled with the sound of feminine voices and laughter. Cade glanced up and wanted to
crawl under the table. It was hard to miss the musical laugh of Amy Stark. Oh, wait. Not Stark any
more. What was it? Yeah, Montgomery.

Son of a bitch.
Once she’d been Cade’s girlfriend. All his. And he’d made sure everyone knew it. He could still

remember the feel of her body against his and the heat of her kisses. And the very public breakup
when she caught him with another woman.

Damn small-minded of her. What did a stray piece of ass matter, anyway?
Now she was married to someone else and wouldn’t give him the time of day. He still smarted

from the confrontation with her asshole husband. Who the hell did that interloper think he was,
anyway?

He knew the other women with her too. Reenie Stark was married to Amy’s brother and Jinx

Malone, the publisher of the county newspaper, was engaged to marry Sheriff Dillon Cross. They
were all laughing about something and acting as if they owned the damn place.

Not too long ago, I could have owned the damn place. And the whole county. Come to think of it,

we nearly did.

He forgot for a moment that he needed to nurse the two stingy drinks Ed allowed him and downed a

healthy slug. The liquor burned on its way down his throat, but the warmth as it flooded through his
system helped to take the edge off his bitterness.

Glancing at the women again, he watched them take a table in the middle of the room and wave at

Ed behind the bar.

“The usual,” Amy called, tossing her dark hair.
“Coming right up, sweet cheeks,” Ed told her. “You sure you girls are old enough to drink?”
That set them off in another fit of laughter.
Didn’t Ed just think he was so fucking funny?
Cade ground his teeth and took another sip of his whiskey. Why the fuck did they have to come in

here? There were other bars in town where they could hang out. This was his place. At least for a
couple of hours a night. The only place that didn’t throw him out as soon as he walked in the door.

He huddled deeper into his corner, wondering how in hell he was going to get out of here without

being seen by them. He hoped they didn’t look his way. Maybe he’d just toss down the rest of his
allotted alcohol, find a way to inch out of here and lock himself in upstairs with the last six-pack he’d
snuck out of the bar when Ed wasn’t looking. There’d be hell to pay when Ed did his inventory again,
but it wouldn’t be the first time the two of them had gone a round. And who else was the man going to
get to sweep up the place for the pittance Cade received, anyway?

“Amy.” Reenie leaned across the table.
Amy looked at her friend. “What is it? And why are you whispering at me?”
“Ssh. Don’t look, but I think that’s Cade Hannigan in a heap in the corner.” As Amy turned her

head, Reenie grabbed her arm. “No, no, no. I said don’t look.”

Too late. Amy had already glanced over her shoulder. At first, she didn’t recognize the heap of

clothing in the corner as a person. All she could make out was a sheepskin-lined ranch jacket and a
disreputable Stetson. For a moment, it looked as if Ed had dropped stuff on the chair for some reason.
Then she saw a hand move and a big knot formed in her stomach.

Amy hadn’t seen Cade since his big fall from grace, although she’d heard enough about it from her

brother and Buck. And Jinx had covered the scandal in the newspaper in great detail. She wanted to
feel sorry for him, but the way he’d humiliated her and then his arrogant almost threatening attitude
afterwards shut down any sympathy she might feel.

“Ignore him,” she told the others. “Maybe Ed will toss him out with the trash.”
“I understand Ed gave him the room over the bar to crash in,” Jinx said, “and he pays him a few

bucks to sweep up in the morning.”

“And here’s Ed with our drinks, so let’s talk about something pleasant.” She winked at Ed as he

poured beer into three glasses and set the pitcher on the table. “It did our egos good when you carded
us before, Ed. But I’d say we’re old enough to drink.” She winked at him.” Depends on how much
trouble we get into.”

“Trouble?” he chuckled. “Not in here. I have your husbands—” he pointed at Amy and Reenie, “—

and your fiancé—” he looked at Jinx “—on speed dial. Who’s driving tonight?”

Jinx raised her hand. “I am. Well, sort of. Buck dropped us off at the movie theater and we walked

over here. Dillon’s on pickup-and-delivery duty when we’re finished.”

Ed shook his head. “I can’t imagine why you want to spend your evening in this old place. Don’t

you have anything to drink at home?”

“But then we wouldn’t have you,” Reenie said.
They all looked at each other and burst out laughing again. Ed just shook his head and walked away

back to the bar where some strays who’d wandered in were waiting for service. The women were
still busy with their conversation and jokes when the outside door opened again, letting in cold air
and a tall blonde. She headed directly to the bar where she gave Ed her order. Then, unbuttoning her
jacket, she looked around as if trying to decide where to sit before finally settling at the table next to
where the women were sitting.

“Do either of you know her?” Amy asked. “Jinx, you know just about everyone in the county.”
Jinx squinted. “I’ve seen her around town but haven’t had a chance to meet her. Let’s ask her to

join us.”

“I will.” Amy set her glass aside. “I love meeting new people.”
“Our very own welcome wagon,” Jinx teased.
Amy slid her chair back from the table so she could be closer to the stranger. “Hi there. I’m Amy

Montgomery. My friends and I are bent on destroying Ed’s place tonight and wondered if you’d like
to join us?”

The blonde stared at her. “But you don’t even know me.”
Amy shrugged. “Not yet I don’t. But if you let us buy you a beer we can fix that.”
“Wait a minute.” Jinx snapped her fingers. “Weren’t you in the hardware store the other day?

Buying an unholy amount of paint and some other stuff.”

The blonde looked surprised. “Why yes, I was.”
“Planning a big construction job?”

“She’s the publisher of the newspaper,” Amy explained. “Gives her an excuse to be nosy. I’m Amy

Montgomery.” She nodded at the other two women. “My sister-in-law, Reenie Stark. And our nosy
publisher, Jinx Malone. Soon-to-be Cross.”

“Excuse me?” The woman frowned. “Cross? About what? Am I missing something?”
“Oh.” Amy grinned. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it to come out that way. That she’s cross, I mean. She’s

engaged to our sheriff, Dillon Cross.”

“Have some more beer, Amy,” Jinx teased.
“Jinx, I know you from your picture in the newspaper,” the blonde said. “Plus it’s hard to miss you.

You’re pretty well known around town.”

“That’s me,” Jinx laughed. “I think more notorious than famous, though.”
“Georgie Zielinski.” The blonde gave all of them a tentative smile.” I bought the old abandoned

B&B on East Meadow Road.”

“Really?” Amy’s eyes widened. “Ohmigod. How fabulous. We heard it had finally been sold but

no details.”

“Yeah. I bought it from the estate.” Georgie frowned. “It’s been vacant for years, I understand.”

She snorted a laugh. “Shows it too.”

Amy hitched her chair around so Georgie could slide hers into the space she made.
“So what brought you here to Saddle Wells to buy that money pit? Not that we aren’t all grateful

someone is bringing the place to life again. But hey, we’re not exactly on the beaten path here.”

Georgie took a healthy swallow of her drink. “You want the long or the short version?”
“Whatever one you want to give us,” Reenie told her.
“Yes,” Amy added. “Whatever you’re most comfortable sharing. We don’t want to chase you

away.”

Georgie heaved a sigh. “The short story is I left the big-city hotel industry. Stressful job. Too much

of everything. I wanted something that was all mine, and opening my own bed and breakfast is my
dream. Why here?” She shrugged and then smiled. “Nothing against Saddle Wells, but this place
turned out to be the only one I could afford to buy. However—” she held up one finger while she took
another swig of beer, “—call me cautiously optimistic, but I checked all the demographics. You have
good tourist traffic through here. So I’m sure I can make it work.”

At least I hope I can. Otherwise I’m out on my ass in the cold.
Georgie took another sip of her beer, cautioning herself not to just slug it down. The last thing she

needed after meeting new people was to get falling-down drunk. Especially in a town where she
expected to run a business. If luck was on her side, that is.

How lucky was it that she’d decided to stop in here on her way home for a quick drink? She never

hung out in bars, but today had been particularly stressful, talking to the bank, ordering more supplies,
dipping again into her carefully guarded stash. For dinner, she grabbed a hamburger that she’d eaten
while making more notes in her ever-present work notebook. She’d just felt the need for a little
something to take the edge off, and she didn’t even have a small bottle of wine at home. She knew too
many women who fell into the trap of solitary drinking.

Excitement threaded through her as she sat here with these women. She knew who they were, of

course, even before they’d told her. They were very visible in the small town of Saddle Wells, and
she envied them their close friendship. As she’d scrabbled to build her career there hadn’t been time

to make friends. And the women she’d come in contact with had made their disdain very obvious.

Maybe I was meant to end up here after all.
“Is the place even habitable?” Amy wanted to know.
“Enough for now. I have running water and electricity, a kitchen that’s old but sort of works and

one usable bathroom. The rest will come in time.”

“Sounds like a money pit.” Reenie took a healthy swallow of her beer. “Do you have a secret sugar

daddy?”

“Jesus, Reenie.” Amy frowned at her sister-in-law. “Why don’t you just let it all hang out there?”
“Oh.” Reenie giggled. “Sorry. Beer makes my jaw flap. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“It’s okay,” Georgie assured her. “But no, no sugar daddy. A healthy savings stash, plus when I…

left my job I cashed in a fat 401K.”

Jinx studied her, interest flashing in her eyes. “That must have been some job you walked away

from.”

You don’t know the half of it.
“A story for another day.”
“So do you have anyone helping you with this?” Reenie asked and then grinned. “You might need

an entire construction crew from what the rumors say.”

No kidding.
“Not yet I haven’t. I made a long list of things that need to be done. I can work on most of the inside

stuff myself, but I’m almost afraid to get an estimate on the tougher work.”

“We can put you in touch with people,” Reenie told her. “Matt, my husband, knows everyone in the

county. He’ll make sure to send you honest people.”

People? Not like she could afford a crew.
“I appreciate that. Thank you. But at the moment I think if I could find one reliable handyman who

could do a bunch of stuff I’d be in good shape.”

“You should let me write about this,” Jinx said. “And we can take before and after pictures.”
“You can certainly get plenty of before pictures now,” Georgie grinned. “But having a small article

so people can look forward to it would really be great.”

And keep me from changing my mind. Especially since I have no other options.
But she’d keep all that to herself. These women seemed very nice, but she’d only just gotten to

know them. She wasn’t about to spill her messy story and lose their friendship before she really had
it.

“An article it is and before shots.” Jinx took her phone out of her purse. “How about giving me

your cell number. I’ll call you next week. Maybe we can have lunch together.”

“That would be great.” Georgie tapped in her numbers.
“Maybe we can all have lunch together,” Amy suggested. “I can use a break from computers any

time.”

Georgie cocked her head. “Computers?”
“She’s a ranch business manager,” Reenie put in. “The best there is. She keeps all the books and

records for Stark Ranch plus for the one she and her husband, Buck, own. Amy, I swear, I don’t know
how you do it.”

“The same way you handle all your graphics clients. Hey, maybe you could do a web site and some

stuff for Georgie.” Amy turned in her chair. “Reenie runs her own graphic design business from Stark

Ranch. She could do an incredible job for you.”

Georgie had the feeling a snowball was rolling over her. “Well, um, that’s great. I don’t think I’ve

gotten that far yet, though.”

“Let the poor woman catch her breath.” Jinx laughed. “We’re liable to send her screaming into the

night.”

“We only want to help,” Reenie protested. She leaned forward. “We tend to get a little

overenthusiastic. You let us know whenever you’re ready.”

Georgie shook her head, a bewildered expression on her face. “Are you this friendly with

everyone? Don’t you worry about strangers here?”

Amy shrugged. “We like to think we’re good judges of character.” She made a face and slid a

glance to the figure huddled in the corner. “Past history aside.”

Reenie reached over and touched Amy’s arm. “Don’t let him spoil the night. You’re the winner

now.”

Georgie frowned. “Did I miss something?”
“Only the local drunk. Nobody to worry about.”
But Jinx leaned forward in a conspiratorial move. “That man in the corner? He and his family used

to own most of the county. They treated people like shit. One day, Amy can tell you her story if she
wants.”

Georgie looked over at the man Jinx mentioned. “So why is he in here drinking in a corner and

looking like he’s on his last dime?”

“Because he is. His father gambled everything away and now he’s barely got two cents in his

pocket. And Ed’s the only one in town who’ll put up with him.”

“Why do I think there’s a lot more to the story than that?” Georgie asked.
“Not one you want to hear,” Amy told her. “I’d rather learn more about you.”
“Also for another day.” Georgie laughed.
“Just let me put a bug in your ear. If Cade Hannigan ever comes anywhere near you, run as fast as

you can in the other direction. I mean it.” She refilled her glass from the pitcher. “’Nough said on that
topic. For now.”

Georgie enjoyed sitting there chatting with the women. They talked about everything and nothing.

She learned more about the county than all her research had unearthed. And unexpectedly, she felt
very comfortable with her new friends.

Every so often, her eyes would stray over to the man hunched in the corner, her curiosity piqued.

She’d certainly never been as rich as Cade Hannigan, but she’d worked her way up to a solid position
of success at Carlton Enterprises before the bottom fell out of her life. She knew what it was to have
what you wanted and lose everything, although financially she’d come out of it better off than this man
obviously was.

Leave it alone, Georgie. He is what he is. Pay attention to what these women said.
Glancing at her watch, she drained the rest of the beer in her glass. “Well. My day starts very early

tomorrow so I better hit the road.” She looked around the table “I can’t tell you how much I
appreciate you asking me to join you.”

“Everyone needs friends,” Jinx said. “I found that out the hard way. Maybe we just met, but I think

we all get really good vibes from you. Let’s make sure you’ve got everyone else’s cell number
besides mine. And give them yours.”

“And lunch next week,” Reenie reminded her.
Georgie gave them her cell number and they each punched theirs into her phone. For the first time

since she’d run away from the mess in Dallas, she began to feel as if her life was taking an upturn
again. She stood up and tugged on her jacket.

“Thanks again,” she told them.
As she turned toward the door, she realized the man huddled in the corner had pushed back his

chair and was stumbling toward the entrance. She tried to avoid him but they collided right near the
door. She took a step back, overwhelmed by the odor of whiskey.

“Watch where you’re going,” he snarled, knocking her into the nearest table.
She took a step back, holding up her hands. Behind her, she heard the scraping of chairs and

glanced over to see that the women she’d just left had all risen from the table. She shook her head.

“I’m good. I’ll just let him get a little distance before I try the exit again.”
As he moved past her, he glanced up from beneath the brim of his hat. For a very brief moment,

their eyes locked. She expected to see bitterness and anger in them, but instead she was shocked by
the pain and misery there. Then he turned away and shoved through the door.

When he had left, she waved at the women and headed out the door herself. But driving home, she

couldn’t get him out of her mind. Not just the odor of the alcohol or his disreputable appearance. The
despair she saw there made her want to cry.

What on earth had happened to send a man that far over the edge? Sooner or later, she’d make it

her business to find out.

Chapter Two

Bam, bam, bam!
For a moment, Cade thought the pounding was just in his head, so he pulled his pillow over his

head.

Bam, bam, bam!
There it went again, but this time he realized it was an external sound. Someone was pounding on

his door.

“Holy Jesus,” he groaned. “All right, all right. Put a lid on it. I’m coming.”
Slowly and painfully, he tossed back the threadbare covers and eased himself to a sitting position.

The stabbing pain behind his eyes and the sour taste in his mouth didn’t help his mood one bit.

“Open up, Hannigan. Right now or I’m unlocking the door.”
Ed. What the fuck did he want? Had Cade overslept this morning? Missed his shitty cleanup duty?
Thank God, he’d left the shade down on the one window so at least he didn’t have the sunlight to

contend with. Shuffling to the door he unlocked it and pulled it open. Ed barreled into the room,
nearly knocking him over.

“Hey, what the hell? Am I late?”
“You’re finished. That’s what you are.” Cade tried to get his brain to function, squinting his eyes at

Ed who looked as if he was about to pop a blood vessel.

“Wait. What?” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “Finished? Why?”
“That’s why.” Ed pointed at the wastebasket full of empty beer bottles.
“Oh.” Cade vaguely remembered finishing off the last six-pack he’d smuggled out of the bar. After

having to watch Amy Stark—no, Montgomery—whooping it up with her friends, he’d wanted nothing
more than total oblivion. And he’d gotten it. “So I helped myself to a couple of bottles of brew. Jesus,
Ed. It’s not like you’re paying me a million bucks to work here.”

“After today I’m not paying you anything. I warned you. Told you one more time and you’d be out

on your ass. So this is it. You’re out.”

Cade scrabbled desperately to get his brain working. “Come on, Ed. It won’t happen again. Holy

shit. Give me a break, will you.”

The man walked up to him until they were practically nose to nose. “I gave you a break. Over and

over. The only person in the county dumb enough to do it. And you repay me by stealing from me. So
this is it. You’re done.” He pulled some bills from the pocket of his jeans and thrust them out.
“Consider this your severance pay.”

“Wait.” Cade stood, dumbfounded, as Ed headed toward the door. “What will I do? Where will I

go?”

“Not my problem anymore. Get your shit together and get the hell out of here. Oh, and leave your

keys on the dresser or I’ll have to send Sheriff Cross after you.” He slammed the door behind him.

Cade stood frozen to the spot, unable to process what he’d just heard. He was fired? Out on his

ass? Where the hell was he supposed to go? What was he supposed to do? Apparently, he should
have taken Ed more seriously, but he’d just never thought the man would kick him out.

He dropped onto his bed, the seriousness of his situation slamming him in the face. He really didn’t

have anywhere else to go. He’d managed to piss off everyone in the county when he was riding high

on the hog. He was sure they all had a good laugh on a daily basis over his situation. And he’d done
nothing about mending fences since then, preferring to nurse his resentment at his situation instead.

He looked at the money in his hand. That wouldn’t last him a week even in the cheapest motel. And

then what?

He took a minute in the tiny bathroom to relieve himself and then stared at his reflection in the

mirror. For the first time since the bottom had fallen out of his life, he realized he had lost all his
options. No one was going to tell him it had all been a mistake. Or that a hidden stash had been found.
Even his so-called friends walked around him as if he was shit on their shoes. Just as he’d always
done to everyone he’d looked down on.

Figure it out, jerkhead. You’re one week away from begging on the streets.
The past few weeks had shown him exactly how far down he was on everyone’s shit list. None of

the guys who’d been happy enough to ride his credit card seemed to have the least interest in reaching
out to him now. Without a cell phone, he was reduced to making calls from the payphone at the Gas It
Up. Where everyone could hear him calling his former friends, who too quickly slammed the phone
down on him. It seemed even the worst of his so-called friends didn’t want his stink to rub off on
them.

Never in his life had he expected to be this low. The fall had been abrupt and shocking and he was

still reeling from it. The worst part of it was overhearing what people said about him and wondering,
for the first time in his life, if they were right. If that was why he was the outcast of Rowan County.
He had certainly never been an introspective person, but the prospect of sleeping in the streets and
starving to death could definitely jar your brain loose. Without even Ed and the Lone Star Bar, his
outlook was, well, bleak?

So what now, jerkhead?
And then bits and pieces of last night came floating back to him. Amy and her friends in the Lone

Star Bar. The blonde who’d wandered in and was swept up by them. The blonde who’d bought the
old Marek B&B, empty now all these years since every one of the heirs had died off. There was a
shitload of work to do on that place, and from what little he’d overheard, she was doing it on a tight
budget. But she’d said she was in the market for a handyman with a variety of skills.

Okay. He might have walked around in hand-tooled boots and custom slacks, but Cade’s father had

made sure he knew what hard work was too.

“If you’re gonna run a ranch, you better know what to do if everyone runs off and leaves you.”
How many times had he heard that? His father had long ago stopped swinging a hammer, as had

Cade, but the skills were there, albeit a little rusty. What he didn’t know he’d figure out.

Ed was probably waiting downstairs, eyes glued to his watch, making sure Cade split right away.

But his first order of business was to make himself presentable so the woman didn’t slam the door in
his face. He showered in the tiny stall, deliberately using cold water to wipe the rest of the cobwebs
out of his brain. With a hand that he wished was a lot steadier, he shaved as meticulously as he could,
only nicking himself twice. He brushed his teeth carefully and rinsed with the last of his mouthwash.
Finally, he found his cleanest shirt and pair of jeans, polished his boots as best he could, shook out
his jacket and clapped his Stetson on his head.

He dragged his one remaining suitcase out from beneath the bed and stuffed it with the clothes he’d

held onto. He’d never tell anyone that he’d driven two counties over more than once to sell pieces of
his wardrobe to a thrift store. That had taught him what real humiliation was.

Okay. You can do this. Just keep remembering what the alternative is.
Wishing for just one last drink, he made his way down the stairs, unlocked his truck and tossed the

suitcase in the back seat. He stopped only for some black coffee, a double, before heading for his
destination. By the time he finished drinking it, his hands weren’t shaking quite so much. The B&B
was just at the edge of town, sitting at the end of a wide tree-shaded driveway.

Cade pulled up next to a navy SUV and parked, turning off the engine and repeating the mantra

again.

You can do this. You can do this. You can do this.
He damned well hoped so, because he was flat out of options.
Putting on what he hoped was a humble and respectful face, he climbed the steps to the front porch

and, nervous for the first time in a long while, knocked on the door. No answer. She was here. Her
car was here. Was she ignoring him?

Hell, how could she even know it was him?
He knocked again, this time a little more forcefully.

Georgie was up even before her alarm in the morning, excited to get to work. Meeting those three

women last night, tasting the beginning of friendship, had totally energized her. She smiled to herself
as she realized she actually had people she could call if she had questions and needed answers.
People who could steer her in the right direction.

She was pretty sure their offers of friendship were genuine. They didn’t seem like the type to make

a game of it. Not like the women she’d worked with in Dallas at the Carlton Hotels. They’d only
sucked up to her because Everett Carlton had taken an interest in her and pushed her career along.
She’d never quite become part of the inner circle, no matter how far up the ladder she’d moved.

In the beginning, she thought it was her lack of education. Carlton had a number of highly placed

female employees with business degrees from high-profile universities. Then she’d discovered they
resented the fact she’d acquired the skills that made Everett Carlton open doors for her. Now, after
the fiasco when Everett retired and the new CEO thought paying her a salary gave him extra
privileges, she was guarded about connecting with people.

But the women she’d met last night weren’t like the catty females in Dallas. It was hard to move

around town without hearing references to them, all of them positive. So Georgie was cautiously
optimistic that things were taking a turn for the better.

The sun was barely up when she made her first pot of coffee and treated herself to one of the

delicious muffins from Muffin Man. Her blood was zinging through her veins and she was seized with
a burst of energy. Today she planned to attack the dining room, steaming off the old wallpaper so she
could scrape the walls. Then she’d apply a coat of fresh paint, the very soft green she picked out.
Restful, she’d thought when she’d selected it. And it brought a touch of the outside into the place.

Fortified with three cups of coffee and the muffin, humming along to her iPod, she was busily

running the steamer up and down the wall with slow strokes when a pounding somewhere disturbed
her. She pressed the off switch on the steamer and pulled out her earbuds so she could listen better.

Yup. Someone was definitely knocking on her door. Who on earth could it be? She thought if one of

her new friends had decided to come over they’d call first. Or maybe not. Maybe this town was just
that friendly and she needed to get used to it. And she so wanted to get the dining room done today.

Smile, Georgie. You don’t want to scare them away the first time they really reach out to you.

But when she opened the door to see who was standing there, she was dumbfounded.
What the hell?

Cade didn’t think he’d ever been this nervous in his life, and looking at this woman didn’t help.

Today she had her blonde hair up in a ponytail and worn jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt caressed a
figure that made his cock want to stand up and salute. Unlike most of the women he knew, her face
had a fresh quality to it and the thick blonde ponytail looked like a cascade of silk. He couldn’t say
for sure, but he’d bet it was the real deal, nothing from a bottle.

But it was the crackle of electricity that snapped between them that was the real shocker. He could

see she felt it too, her eyes flaring with the realization. Go figure. No makeup, a smudge of something
on one cheek, and she quite literally took his breath away.

No, no, no, no. You are not putting the make on this woman. She’s your last chance. Your only

chance.

She stared at him for a long moment before he saw recognition flare in her eyes and she took a step

back. She was holding the handle of something that was part of some kind of machinery and she
unconsciously held it up as if to ward him off.

Oh, Jesus. Those women last night had probably given her an earful about him. He was dead

before he got started.

“Can I help you?”
He gave himself a mental shake, doing his best to stop gawking at her.
Be polite. Really polite.
He took off his hat and put on what he hoped was his most earnest face.
“My, um, name is Cade Hannigan.”
“I know who you are.” She was still holding that whatever-it-was in front of her.
Swell. So they had told her all about him. He’d better be plenty humble and make his case to her

since his only other choice was the gutter.

“I wondered if I might speak to you for a moment.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I can’t imagine what we’d have to talk about. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
She was going to slam the door in his face. Oh, shit, shit, shit.
“I’ve never been in a position where I had to beg for anything,” he told her quickly, “but I’m

begging now. For five minutes of your time. Just listen to me. If the answer’s no, I’ll turn around and
drive out of here and you’ll be rid of me.”

He watched her study him as she tried to make up her mind. Finally, she stepped outside and

closed the door. She pulled a cell phone from her pocket and dialed 911 but didn’t push Send.

“I must be out of my mind, but okay, five minutes.” She held up the phone. “As you can see, one

press of the button and this call goes through.”

“I won’t give you any reason to do that,” he tried to assure her. “I promise.”
“Okay.” She looked at her watch. “Your five minutes start now.”
“My name is Cade Hannigan, like I said. I’m sure the ladies you met last night gave you an earful

about me. Everything they said is true. At least it was up until this morning.”

“What happened this morning?”
“I got fired from the only job I could get, lost the only place I have to live and I’ll be broke by the

end of the week even if I only eat one meal a day.”

Was that a smile teasing at her lips?
“Well, Mr. Hannigan, it seems you’re in quite a fix. What makes you think I can help a broken-

down, disreputable cowboy like you?”

“I heard you last night. At least some of it. I know you bought this place.” He waved his arm to

encompass the building. “And that you’re looking for a handyman to help you.”

Now she did smile. “And you think you’re the answer to my prayers? The way I heard it, you aren’t

handy with anything except your mouth.”

Damn it, damn it, damn it.
Whoever said the past is always with you was certainly right.
He sighed. “To tell you the truth, Miss—” He stopped, suddenly realizing he didn’t even know her

name. “Well, this is embarrassing.”

“Zielinski,” she told him. “Georgia Zielinski. Georgie.”
“Okay, then. To tell you the truth, Miss Zielinski, I don’t think I’m the answer to anyone’s prayers.

But I’m desperate.” He gripped the brim of his hat. “A very unfamiliar situation for me.”

She almost smiled. “So I understand. Just what do you think you can do for me and what do you

want in return?”

Oh, sweet baby Jesus. Was this really going to happen?
“I’m pretty handy with a bunch of stuff.” He grimaced. “Although if you ask anyone, I’m sure

they’ll tell you the heaviest thing I’ve lifted in a while is a credit card, which I don’t happen to have
any more, by the way.”

“Go on.”
“I can hammer and saw. I’m sure I can figure out how to scrape paint.” He gestured at the

landscape. “Clean up the yard. Whatever you need.”

She was silent for so long he was about ready to turn around and leave.
“And why should I trust you? How do I know you won’t rob me blind?” She gave a funny little

laugh. “Although at the moment except for my car there isn’t much to steal.”

“I’d give you my word,” he told her, “except anyone around will tell you it isn’t worth much right

now. I’ve pissed off a lot of people, who I’m sure are laughing their asses off at my fix.”

“I don’t care about that. I asked you a question.”
“I guess you won’t know until you give me a try. But like I said, I’m desperate. I need a roof over

my head and enough money to eat. That’s it. And even though you have no reason to believe me, I
won’t touch a drop of booze, I won’t steal from you and I’ll work hard at whatever you need done.”

He could see she was considering it. Cade hadn’t prayed since he was a child, but at the moment,

he was reciting silent prayers in his head. He could see the moment she made up her mind and he had
to restrain himself from shouting out loud.

“Please.” He could hardly get the unfamiliar word out of his mouth.
“I must be out of my mind, but okay. We’ll give it a shot. I’ll pay you handyman’s wages and you’ll

earn every dollar of them.” She pointed to a building off to the side. “That used to be a barn. I
understand when the B&B was in full operation they kept some horses for the guests and a stable
master to take care of them. There’s an apartment upstairs in the loft. It’s not much and you’ll
probably have to clean it. But it’s got running water and a little two-burner plate that might still work.
Take it or leave it.”

He let out the breath he’d been holding. “I’ll take it. Thank you. I promise you won’t have cause to

regret this.”

“I better not, or there are some women and their men in this town who I have a feeling will tear

every strip off your hide.” She opened the door. “Come on in. I’ll feed you coffee and a muffin and
you can get started.”

Chapter Three

Calm down, Georgie. You’re not eighteen anymore. Get your damn hormones under control.
But it was certainly hard whenever she caught a glimpse of Cade working outside. Despite the

spring chill in the air, he certainly worked up a sweat with the hard labor he was doing. And
watching him distracted her more than she liked.

The old barn offered up some ancient equipment. He’d spent the first couple of days or so getting

what he could in working order. Then he’d tackled the mess that was the yard.

“Too many critters can hide in this shit,” he’d told her. “It will take a lot more than a few days to

get the look you want, but at least I can clear it out and neaten it up. Anyway, I need to have room to
hike a ladder up and start scraping the paint,” he’d added. “If I fall off, at least I won’t have a million
stickers in my skin.”

In two weeks, he had made a serious dent in the mess, and in fact was almost finished. Or at least

as much as he could do for the moment. This morning, when he’d knocked on her back door, he’d told
her he expected to start scraping paint in another day or two.

He had kept his distance, she’d give him that. She assumed he’d made the barn apartment as

habitable as possible. He didn’t offer details and she didn’t ask. Their contact was mostly limited to
filling his thermos in the morning, an amenity she’d offered, and a tap on the door when he was
finished for the day.

Georgie had finished working in the dining room and moved on to the living room. The old

wallpaper clung tighter than she’d expected, but now she had almost every wall clear. Maybe it
wouldn’t take so long if she didn’t keep looking out the window. But the view was too good to pass
up.

Cade Hannigan might be a lot of things, but out of shape wasn’t one of them. Beneath the black T-

shirt and faded jeans, his muscles flexed and bulged as he worked away. Every so often, he stopped
to blot the sweat on his forehead with his arm. When he did, she got a sunlit look at the deep grooves
and lines in his face. The square line of his jaw.

The bulge behind his fly.
Stop it, Georgie!
She couldn’t help amusing herself by imagining what he looked like without any of those clothes

on. Dark hair on his chest, maybe a little darker than the thick brown that framed his face. Lean hips.
Long legs. And an impressive cock. Oh, yeah, she was sure it would be impressive all right. Then, in
the next minute, she’d feel the dampness at her crotch and the ache in her breasts. She’d curse herself
for being a horny broad who had no business daydreaming about a guy who apparently wasn’t worth
anyone wiping their shoes on.

Why did I hire him, anyway?
Because now he’s an outsider, just like you.
That’s no excuse.
No, it certainly wasn’t. She hated to think what her new friends would say when they found out.

She had run into at least one of them each time she’d been in town doing errands and each of them had
brought up lunch again.

“I just need to get a little further ahead before I treat myself to some time off,” she kept repeating.

She wasn’t sure they believed her, but at least they’d hugged her and told her to call if she needed
anything.

Every day, however, she worried they’d decide to make an impromptu visit. She was surprised

word hadn’t already gotten out to everyone already, although Cade hadn’t left the property since she’d
hired him except for one trip to the grocery store. And the only words they exchanged were when he
discussed his chores or had a specific question to ask.

Last night, she’d thought about asking him to share dinner with her. Then she’d given herself a

mental slap on the side of her head. Was she so deprived, so horny that she wanted to jump her new
disreputable handyman? The sad answer was yes. She hadn’t had sex in so long, despite the
unremitting efforts of the men at the Carlton and the rumors that had flown around about her, at this
point she wasn’t even sure she’d remember how to do it.

She was holding a hammer she’d been using to pull hooks out of the walls, staring dreamily out the

window at the hot hunk in her yard, again imagining him naked and panting for her, when the hunk
himself stood, walked closer and tapped on the window with the clippers in his hand. It startled
Georgie so much she dropped the hammer on her foot.

“Ow!” She hopped on the other foot, shaking the injured one. When she looked out the window to

see if Cade was still looking at her, he had disappeared. Then she heard knocking on the back door.

“Georgie?” he called. “You okay?”
“Yes. Ow!”
She tried hopping into the kitchen, the only room with chairs in it. By that time Cade was inside the

house.

“Here. Let me help you.”
“I’m fine.” She gritted her teeth. Except she looked like an idiot hopping like a kangaroo.
“Come on. Let me just get you over to the chair. What was that you dropped on your foot? That

hammer you were holding?”

He braced her with his arm around her and one hand supporting her elbow, moving her slowly until

he could ease her into the chair. The heat from the corded muscles in his arm almost branded her skin,
not to mention the electricity singing through her from his touch at her elbow.

Holy crap! Her nipples were suddenly hard and tight, her breasts aching and her cunt that had been

neglected for so long was throbbing with unexpected need.

Jesus, Georgie! Get a grip on yourself.
“Yes. Sorry.” She blew out a breath. “Thank you. I can’t believe I did such a dumb thing. But I’ll

be okay in a minute. Just let me sit.”

“Better let me have a look at it.”
He squatted down on his heels, lifting her injured foot to his thigh so he could ease off her sneaker.

If it weren’t for the sudden pain shooting through her foot, she’d ask him if they could stay like this all
day while he cupped her foot in his warm, masculine hand.

“Uh!” she squeaked as he pulled off her shoe and the fabric rubbed over her toes.
“Looks like you have terrific aim, Deadeye. You hit the middle toes square on.” He stood. “The

first thing you need to do is get off this foot and elevate it.”

“No. Wait!” Oh, hell. “Let me sit for a few minutes and I’ll be fine.” She heard the desperation

creeping into her voice.

“Miss Zielinski.” He looked at her in frustration. “Georgie. You need to get ice on that foot as

quick as you can, or you’ll be in a real mess.” He peered into the dining room. “I hope you’ve got a
couch in one of the other rooms where you can elevate this foot.”

Couch. Right. Uh huh.
“Um, no couch. Please. Just go back to work. I’m used to taking care of myself.”
He studied her, a world of understanding in his eyes. “I’m sure. And if you want to keep on doing

that, then you need to get off this foot. So where can you lie down?”

“My bedroom.” The words came out in a whisper. No way could she let this man into her

bedroom.

He lifted his eyebrows. “I’m sorry. Did you say your bedroom?”
She cleared her throat. “It’s the only place I have furniture besides the kitchen. Didn’t you notice

that when you came in for morning coffee the first time?”

He shook his head. “To tell the truth, I was so focused on behaving myself and doing a good job, I

didn’t pay attention to much of anything.” Before she could protest he lifted her out of the chair into
his arms. “Which way?”

Oh, God!
She had no choice but to hold on to him as he carried her through the house. She was taken with a

sudden desire to lean into his shoulder and nestle her head against his neck. The hard wall of his chest
pressed into her arm and the erotic scent of his male sweat tantalized her nostrils.

Damn, Georgie. Now you’re getting turned on by sweat?
“Okay.” They had reached her bedroom and he stood there, holding her, looking at the mattress on

the floor. An upended box next to it held a small lamp and across from it on one wall was a scarred
dresser that had been left here. A television sat on one end. “You’re not kidding that you don’t have
any furniture. Wasn’t there anything else left here?”

“Most of it was junk that I had someone haul away.”
“What about the stuff you already had?” he persisted. “Didn’t you bring it with you?”
“I, um, sold it.” To a thrift shop. So I could get the hell out of town.
“And you didn’t consider replacing it when you moved in here?”
She huffed a breath. “Listen. I appreciate your concern, but furniture isn’t at the top of my list right

now. Getting this place in shape first is. I have a mattress to sleep on and a table and chairs for meals
and that’s all I need. That and running water and electricity. So if you’re offended by my situation just
drop me on the mattress and go about your business. I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sorry.” He placed her on the mattress with unbelievable gentleness. “That was very rude of

me. I have trouble not being an asshole, as you can tell. Let me get you some ice.” He looked at her
foot. “Those toes look swollen and they’re starting to discolor. They may not be broken, but you still
need to take care of them.”

He disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. Georgie could hear him opening cupboard doors,

opening and closing the refrigerator, making other unidentifiable noises. She closed her eyes and
covered her face with her hands. What an uncomfortable situation to find herself in.

He was back in seconds carrying a plastic baggie filled with ice and a dishtowel. He looked

around, perplexed, until he spotted the open door to her bathroom. Folding a bath towel he’d found in
there, he knelt again and propped her foot up on it. Then he placed the ice gently on the toes. She
squealed for a moment at the cold but then blessed numbness wiped out the pain.

“Thank you,” she said. “I should be just fine in a little while. You can get back to what you’re

doing.”

He stood there, studying her, frowning. “Afraid you won’t get your money’s worth today?”
“Oh! No, no, no. I just meant— I—” She closed her mouth. Didn’t she just sound like a bitch.
“Okay. Keep your eye on the time. Fifteen minutes on, fifteen minutes off. Can you handle that?”
“Yes,” she snapped and then sighed. “Sorry. This just wasn’t on my schedule today.” She

swallowed. “Thank you for helping me.”

He held up a hand. “It’s okay. You’re right. I want to finish those hedges today. I’ll be back to

check on you in a bit.” He snapped his fingers. “Aspirin. Or Tylenol. Which do you have?”

“Cade,” she began.
“Which, Georgie?”
“Tylenol. In my bathroom.”
Oh, God, he was going into her bathroom. Where she had all her private stuff. At least she

didn’t have any of her lingerie hanging around drying, thank God.

“Here.” He handed her two Tylenol and then squatted down so he could prop her up to drink from

the glass he held. “Good girl. I’ll leave the rest of the water right here in case you want more.” He set
it on the floor near her head. As he turned to walk out of the room, he called over his shoulder, “Don’t
try to get up.”

Georgie closed her eyes again.
Damn, damn, damn. Of all the dumb things to happen. Now what do I do?

Wouldn’t everyone just laugh their asses off if they saw me playing nursemaid to some woman

and breaking my ass with all this hard work?

Cade swallowed a bitter laugh, unrolled another heavy trash bag and began to fill it with the

clippings from the hedge trimming. It hadn’t taken long to settle into the apartment—what a laugh to
call his living quarters something that elaborate. Still, he had to admit it beat the Lone Star Bar all to
hell. He’d driven clear to the next county to stock up on supplies, unwilling to face the knowing looks
he was sure he’d get. He’d bet anything Ed hadn’t wasted any time spreading the word.

The good thing was no one knew where he was.
He was glad he’d kept his body in shape, even if he’d gone from hard labor as a teenager on the

family ranch to working out in a home gym. The work he was doing now, unlike that he’d done in his
earlier years, was mind-numbing and took every ounce of energy in his body. Unfortunately, because
he didn’t have to concentrate on what he was doing, it allowed his brain to work overtime. As he
sweated years of booze out of his body, he couldn’t seem to stop examining both sides of his life.

On the one hand, in two weeks without any alcohol at all, he could already feel changes in his

body. His hands didn’t shake anymore, which was good since he didn’t want to accidentally chop off
one of his fingers with the hedge clippers. His muscles were hardening and he didn’t have to stop so
often to draw in a full breath. He was bone tired at the end of the day, which was good because he
could finally sleep through the night without waking up craving a drink. Or wondering where the hell
he was. In fact, he hated to admit it, but physically he felt better than he had in years.

On the other hand, he was forced for the first time in years to take a good hard look at himself. Not

much else to do when you were yanking weeds and trimming bushes and killing snakes. The process
was way too unpleasant and often made him mentally cringe. It bothered him that he didn’t much like
what he saw. In fact, it made him sick.

He had taken so much for granted. There was something to be said for having enough money and

privilege to stay slightly drunk most of the time. It allowed you to walk all over people, throw your
weight around and not give a damn. Now, for the first time, he didn’t see the world through a fat bank
account and a faint alcoholic haze.

When everything had fallen apart, it had stung to realize all those people who still had their money

and privilege wouldn’t spit on him. He’d spent a lot of time drinking up what was left of the Hannigan
whiskey and cursing his father and everyone else. Even the women who’d been more than happy to
share his bed when he was rolling in dough had sniffed and walked away from him.

He’d never believed in epiphanies, but damn, he was sure having one now. And all because a sexy

blonde who seemed to be hiding her own secrets, had taken a chance on him when he had to look up
to see the gutter.

Yeah, working alone like this, with nothing to do but think, looking at himself that way, was a

thoroughly unpleasant experience. Actually, thinking of his new employer was much more enjoyable.
He wondered if she had any idea how sexy she was? He’d never seen her with makeup on, not even
that first night she’d come into the Lone Star Bar. But she appeared to be one of those women who
didn’t need it. Her hair was a soft blonde waterfall, usually hiked up in a messy ponytail. Her eyes
were an incredible shade of violet. He didn’t think he’d ever seen a woman with eyes that color
before.

And her body… Holy hell.
Lying on the ancient cot in the barn at night, exhausted from the hard work, she was the only thing

on his mind. As he tumbled into sleep, he imagined her naked beside him, those nice round breasts
filling his palms. Running his hands over the curve of her ass. His mouth on nipples he imagined to be
a pretty shade of rose. Or maybe on her pretty little cunt, covered with soft blonde curls. He didn’t
think she was one of those women who shaved or waxed. He couldn’t say why, just that he was sure
she went au natural.

His dick got so hard thinking of her sometimes, he slid his hand inside his boxers and stroked

himself, relieving the pressure. And thinking to himself, What the fuck? Because he’d never had
erotic daydreams about women before, not even Amy Stark, who once upon a time he’d thought he’d
end up married to. Women had been to show off on his arm and fuck as many ways as he could, but
he’d never taken any of them seriously enough to dream about.

Which of course was what had gotten him into trouble with Amy.
But there was just something about Georgie Zielinski. A certain vulnerability that he sensed

underneath all that toughness. The kind of woman men talked about making love to, not just fucking.

Impatient with the direction of his thoughts, he pulled the plastic tabs on the bag together and tied

them in a tight knot. He’d thought about burning everything, but they were going through a dry spell
and he knew exactly how much damage an out-of-control fire could do. Plus, he didn’t want a
confrontation with the fire department who required on-site supervision. But that meant unless
Georgie was willing to mess up that nice SUV of hers, he’d be hauling these bags to the county dump
tomorrow or the next day in his not-so-nice truck. He just hoped he didn’t run into anyone there and
that the two guys that manned it weren’t into asking questions.

Questions.
Yeah.
He’d like to ask Georgie a few. Like what she was doing here and how she’d happened to end up

in Saddle Wells? Why she was so determined to make this old place into a working B&B again?

After stacking the bag with the others, he pulled off his work gloves and wiped the sweat from his

forehead. He wondered how Georgie was doing with her foot. He sure hoped her toes weren’t
broken, but that was a damn heavy hammer she’d dropped on them. How was she going to take care
of herself? Feed herself tonight?

Get ready for bed?
Hold it, cowboy. Don’t go there. This is a new you, remember?
But it still left the problem of her taking care of herself tonight. At least as far as feeding herself.

He’d figure out a way to do something for her. He could tell himself he needed to repay her because
she’d taken him in when he was totally out of options. Or that he wanted to make sure she was okay
so he’d still have a job.

Whatever. He was going to do something. Anyway, it was more than an hour since he’d left her

with that ice. For sure it was melted by now.

Taking a deep breath, he headed into the house through the back door.
“Georgie?” he called out. “Hey, I’m in the house.” He forced a little chuckle. “Hope you’re

decent.”

“What else would I be with this damn foot,” she called out.
She was still lying on the mattress where he’d left her, foot elevated, droopy plastic sack of

melting ice draped over her toes. Pain had carved lines in her face and her smile was forced.

He crouched down and gently eased the ice from her foot. Not as swollen. Good. And the

discoloration wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. Good. Not broken. Probably just bruised.

“I think you just dinged yourself,” he said and grinned. “Remind me to be careful around you when

you’re holding a hammer.”

“Cade.” She sighed. “Thank you very much for this. I agree. I don’t think the toes are broken. By

tomorrow I’ll be a lot better. I’ll just get up in a little while and get some fresh ice.”

Cade studied her. “You seem to be a lady who has a hard time letting people do things for her. I

used to be a person who had a hard time doing anything for anyone. I think we’re both about to make a
change here.” He rose to his feet. “I’m going to get some fresh ice for you. Then I’ll run out and pick
up some dinner. Any special requests?”

“You don’t have to feed me,” she protested.
For some reason, it was very important to him to do this. He shrugged. “I have to eat anyway Call

it a repayment for all the coffee.” He tried on a grin. “Volunteering to do something for someone is
way out of my normal range of behavior, so I’d take advantage of it if I were you.”

She smiled back. “You know, I have a feeling underneath all that crap a real person has been

hiding all these years.”

“Let’s not go overboard,” he warned her.
“Anyway, thank you. Whatever you fix for yourself.”
“I, uh, thought I’d get some takeout. What’s your poison? Fried chicken, Chinese or pizza?”
Her eyes widened. “You’re actually going into town?”
He shrugged again. “Maybe over to Stone Creek.”
“Whatever works. And thank you.” She was trying to hide her pain, but he could see it in her eyes.
“I’ll be back in a while. Meanwhile, don’t move.”
Her laugh had a touch of the hysterical. “No chance of that.”

Chapter Four

Cade took time for a quick shower to wash away the day’s dirt and sweat and pull on clean

clothes. When he asked her, Georgie requested Chinese food, even suggesting a couple of dishes. He
frowned when she tried to give him money.

“Georgie, you pay me and I haven’t had any place to spend the money. I think I can cover dinner.”
Getting the food was a little tricky. He called the order into Lichee Gardens, the only Chinese

restaurant in town. He could go to the next town, but that would mean adding forty-five minutes to the
round trip. So he decided to chance it. This was a weekday so maybe it wouldn’t be too busy.

But when he pulled up in front of it, he saw some people he knew just entering and he chickened

out. He drove to the Gas It Up and used the payphone to call the restaurant and tell them he’d be in the
parking lot in five minutes and promised a ten-dollar tip if someone would bring the food out to his
truck.

Okay, so I’m a coward. It’s hard enough looking at myself without seeing the way other people

look at me.

The food was still hot when he got it back to the house and he set it all up before he went to get

Georgie from her bedroom. He found her little two-step stool so she’d be able to elevate her foot.
He’d even bought two bottles of Chinese beer. For her.

He insisted on carrying her to the kitchen and placing her at the table. Holding her nestled against

his chest, he had to restrain himself from inhaling the fresh scent of her hair and the tantalizing
perfume of whatever soap she used. For the first time in longer than he could remember, he was
tempted to kiss a woman just to taste her lips, not as a prelude to sex.

Although his wicked brain reminded him that sex with Georgie Zielinski would probably be off the

charts.

But this was the new Cade Hannigan. He hoped. Only two weeks old, but he clung to it like a baby

to a pacifier.

“It’s got a really good taste,” he assured her as he poured ice water for himself. “Besides, I thought

it might help you forget your foot for a while.”

“Thanks.” She toasted him with the bottle as she lifted it to her lips and drank.
He couldn’t help staring at the flex of muscles in her throat as she swallowed or the flick of her

tongue as she swiped it over her bottom lip. His cock hardened of its own volition behind the denim
of his jeans and he had to shift slightly to ease his discomfort. He might have had mindless sex with
more than his share of women over the years, but Georgie Zielinski didn’t fit into that category. Sex
with her, he was sure, would be anything but mindless. And besides, she was definitely off-limits.

Damn!
But it was nice sitting here, having dinner with her. Talking about this and that. He was more

relaxed with her than he could remember being with a woman in a very long time. He didn’t have to
be on. Didn’t have to make sure she knew she was in the presence of the great Cade Hannigan and she
should be honored he gave her a few minutes of his time.

And Cade Hannigan wasn’t so great any more.
So he enjoyed the easy chatter, the ability to have quiet moments that didn’t demand conversation

to fill them. He actually found himself relaxed and enjoying himself.

Imagine that.
Then Georgie leaned back in her chair and studied him carefully. Uh oh.
“So, Cade Hannigan.” She was working on the second bottle of beer. “How about telling me why

you find yourself working for me for peanuts and living in a rattrap over that old barn. I’m sure
there’s a story in there somewhere, and I’m damn curious.”

“Yeah.” He poked at the remnants of food on his plate. “It’s not a very pretty one, and I don’t think

you’d like the details.”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge?” She gave a half laugh. “Besides, mine isn’t all that attractive

either.”

“Bet mine beats it by a mile,” he told her.
She took another swallow of beer. “Come on, Cade. It’s just the two of us. I’m the last person to

judge you. Call it payment for hiring you and giving you a place to live.”

He sighed. “You need to know that the Hannigans have been ranching this area for nearly a hundred

years. Starting with my great-grandfather, they bought up land and built up the herd until we were
running ten thousand head of pure Black Angus. My granddaddy and my daddy also invested money in
oil and gas leases and a few other things. Pretty soon the money was rolling in faster than we could
all spend it.”

He paused, trying to find the right words to continue.
“My daddy was a born user, and I guess I got all my bad habits from him. He thought it was his

right to spit on people. Throw his weight around. Strong-arm folks. Walk over them. I followed right
along.” He rubbed his jaw. “I know that’s not a good excuse. Not any kind of excuse, matter of fact.
Just kind of an explanation of how I grew up to be an asshole, I guess.

“Money certainly talks,” she agreed.
He heard the bitterness in her voice. “Sounds like you know it firsthand.”
“You could say that.”
“Unfortunately,” he went on “when you no longer have it, no one gives a shit about you. I was so

angry at my father for losing everything. Leaving me without a pot to piss in.” He chuffed a sound.
“And I can tell you, my so-called friends couldn’t run away from me fast enough.”

“That’s a terrible thing to live through,” she said, concern evident on her face. “So why does Amy

Montgomery have it in for you more than someone else might?”

“Ah, Georgie, that wasn’t one of my finest hours. At all.”
“Come on. Spill it. Then I’ll tell you my tale of woe.”
Hating himself as he heard the words come out of his mouth, he told her about being engaged to

Amy Stark, cheating on her in a very public place then getting mad because she was upset. And finally
going so far as to threaten her when she started seeing Buck Montgomery.

“I was like a kid whose toy someone had stolen.” He rubbed his face. “I should have had a drink

before blurting all of this out.”

“But you really wouldn’t have hurt her, would you?”
She was studying his face. Then she leaned over and put her hand on his arm. Just her touch singed

his nerves and sent shockwaves through his system.

Jesus!
His gut twisted into a hard knot as he waited for what she said next.
“I hope this comes out right, but I’m really proud of you, Cade.” She smiled. “I know you haven’t

had a drink since you came to work here, just like you promised. I see you working out there every
day almost from the minute the sun comes up. You don’t go anywhere at night and I can’t imagine
lying in bed up in that barn is any too pleasant, but you stick to it.”

He snorted. “Gives you plenty of time to think, unfortunately. Just like working outside.” He shook

his head. “I’ll tell you. If I had met me six months ago I would have hated me. A lot of days now I still
do.”

She tightened her fingers on his wrist. “We all have our demons, Cade. It’s what we do about them

that counts.”

“Are you going to tell me about yours? Fair’s fair, you know.”
She sighed, but he noticed she kept her hand on his wrist. Tentatively, he covered it with his own,

relaxing a fraction when she didn’t move it away.

“Just like your story is the rich asshole who loses it all and falls down in the gutter, mine’s as much

a stereotype.” She wet her lips. “I grew up on the opposite of the tracks from you. Dirt poor with
worthless parents. But I found out I had a brain and used it. Took business courses. Accounting.
Computer classes. Got a job at the headquarters of Carlton Hotels in Dallas. Then things got really
good. And really bad.”

Cade took a chance and lifted her hand from his wrist, held it in his palms, stroking it lightly.

Hoping she’d be too busy talking to jerk it away.

“I don’t follow.”
“I subbed for the CEO’s admin one week and Everett Carlton apparently was impressed with my

smarts. He began pushing me up the corporate ladder.” She gave a rude laugh. “The high-class bitches
who worked there resented the hell out of me, especially those with college degrees. The men
climbing up the corporate ladder pretty much ignored me. But you can imagine why they all thought
Carlton was being so good to me.”

“Put out to move up,” he said crudely.
“They couldn’t have said it any better.” A sad look came over her face. “Everett Carlton was a

gentleman. He had a wife he loved and a family he doted on. There was nothing between us.
Nothing,” she repeated fiercely.

“Hey, hey, hey.” He tightened his hold on her hand. “I believe you. Really.”
She looked at him. “Why? You don’t even know me. I could be feeding you the biggest line.”
“You know, Georgie, when they say it takes one to know one, they’re right. I was the world’s

biggest bullshitter. Believe me, I’d know if you were feeding me a line. I was the champion.”

He took a chance and rubbed his thumb over her hand where it lay in his palm. He wondered if she

was even aware of it. And if she was, did it feel as good to her as it did to him? He was dipping his
toe in dangerous waters here. He couldn’t believe how badly he wanted this woman. But one wrong
move and he could be out on his ass again.

“So what happened after that?” he prodded. “I’m sure you didn’t leave just because of some snotty

bitches and asswipe men.”

“No. I guess it’s an old, old story. Everett Carlton retired and the man who moved into his spot

didn’t have the same respect for me Everett did. He made it very plain I was trash as far as he was
concerned. If I wanted my job, I could keep it on my back and on my knees. Take it or leave it.”

Her words struck a painful chord with Cade. How many times had he used the same tactics on a

woman who wanted to hang around rich Cade Hannigan? Seeing things through her eyes made him

want to crawl into a hole and stay there.

“Couldn’t you file a sexual harassment charge?” he asked.
“Are you kidding? He flat out told me put out or get out. If I’d tried to file charges, he’d have made

sure I never worked anywhere again. And trust me, he had that kind of power and influence.”

Just like I used to. What a friggin’ asshole I was.
Georgie—sweet, warm, honest Georgie—somehow made him understand that he’d been someone

with no redeeming qualities. The picture of himself that blasted into his brain disgusted him.

“So you left Dallas.”
She nodded. “Ever since I started in the hospitality business, I’ve dreamed of owning my own

B&B. I mean, that’s all it was. A dream. Where did Georgie Zielinski from the wrong side of the
tracks get off thinking she could do that, right?”

“I’m ashamed to admit that not that long ago I might have thought that. But not anymore. So go on.”
“I had a lot of money saved. Never had much to spend it on. When I found this place on the Internet,

I emptied out my bank account and my 401K, and here I am. I figured when this place was so cheap it
was a sign, right?” She chuckled. “A sign that I’d lost my mind.”

Without even thinking, he lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “I

can’t remember the last time I met someone with your kind of courage. You make me ashamed of
myself. You’ve got guts and smarts, Georgie. You’ll make this work. And I’m going to help you.”

She studied his face carefully, searching for something.
“I’m probably the most gullible woman in the world, but two weeks ago, when you showed up at

my door, I sensed there was someone decent hiding inside. Someone you’d kept buried for a long
time. We’re like kindred souls, you know? Tossed out with no place to go but up.”

He had to laugh. “Georgie, you’re so far above me it isn’t even funny. You had no control over

what happened to you. I did and I fucked up. Badly. But I’m going to prove that your faith in me isn’t
misplaced.”

Their faces were scant inches apart now, and he knew if he didn’t kiss her pretty soon he’d

explode. Yet he didn’t want to screw up the only good thing to happen to him in a long time. Maybe
ever.

Georgie could feel her heart beating rapidly and was sure Cade could see the thrumming of her

pulse at the hollow of her throat. She had no business getting intimate with Cade Hannigan, but her
body wanted him more than she wanted food.

In for a penny, Georgie. What can you lose? He’s got no place to go, right?
She leaned closer, conscious that his thumb was still stroking her knuckles softly.
“How forward will you think I am if I ask you to kiss me?” she asked.
He smiled. “I’d say, hallelujah. Because I was about to die from wanting.”
They met across the corner of the table. His lips were warm and firm on hers, and when he licked

her mouth softly, she could feel the electric charge all the way to her pussy. He traced the closed
seam back and forth until she opened for him and his tongue swept in.

Holy crap!
She let her own tongue dance eagerly with his, in and out, back and forth, sampling each other.

Savoring the taste. He licked every inch of her inner cheeks, her gums, her teeth, light flicks and
sweeps that coaxed her to answer back with her own foray into his mouth. The only things that

touched were their mouths and their hands, yet it was the most erotic kiss she had ever had in her life.

Cade broke the kiss but kept his mouth still less than an inch from hers, his breathing as raspy as

hers.

“Georgie.” The heat in his eyes nearly singed her. “The last thing in the world I want to do is fuck

up what I’ve got going here. So if you don’t want this, tell me right now and we’ll pretend it didn’t
happen.”

She swallowed. Hard. She had always been so careful about her relationships, always been aware

of the gossip about her. She certainly never fell into bed with a man she knew only two weeks. But
there was something connecting the two of them here and she had no intention of stopping it.
Tomorrow, she’d deal with the fallout.

“I want it,” she whispered, and saw the relief in his eyes.
He stood and carefully lifted her from her chair, cuddling her against his chest as he carried her to

her bedroom. She loved the feel of his body against hers, the strength of his arms around her. The heat
she felt through the fabric of his T-shirt. She inhaled his clean male scent.

When he lowered her to her mattress, it was with such tenderness she had to blink back tears. Had

anyone ever seen the man who’d been hiding under the crappy exterior all those years?

“I want to be careful of your foot,” he told her, kneeling on the floor beside her. “But Jesus,

Georgie. If I don’t get you naked soon I think I’ll lose my mind.”

“I think we can work around it,” she told him.
The first thing he did was release her pony tail and comb his fingers through her hair.
“There.” He smiled. “Much better.”
When she began unbuttoning her blouse, he brushed her hands away.
“Uh uh. I want to do this myself.”
She was surprised to see his hands shake slightly as he unbuttoned each button slowly and tugged

the tails of her blouse from the waistband of her jeans, spreading open the fabric. His eyes widened
when they took in her breasts in the satin and lace bra, and hunger flared sharply in them. He bent
lower and trailed the tip of his tongue over the upper swell of her breasts, sending shivers skating
down her spine.

But instead of concentrating on them as she expected him to, he slid his hands up to cup her cheeks,

turned her head and took her mouth again in a hungry kiss. He nibbled her lips, swept his tongue
inside, sucked her tongue into his own mouth. When they were breathless again, he trailed kisses
across her cheeks and forehead, then he found the spot behind her ear that always drove her crazy.

“Move over here next to me,” she urged, sliding her body to make room for him.
“Your foot,” he reminded her.
“Is on the right and you’re on the left. It’s fine.”
But he still very carefully slid his hands beneath her to rearrange her body before stretching out full

length beside her.

She wound her fingers in the thick strands of hair the color of melted dark chocolate, holding his

head close to her body as she arched up to him. When he’d paid homage to every inch of her face and
neck, he moved his attention back to her breasts. His hot mouth sucked in first one nipple and then the
other, pulling the now-wet fabric into his mouth along with her flesh. Nibbling and tugging until she
could feel the pull at the center of her core.

Just when she was sure he was ready to flick open the clasp on her bra and take her bare breasts,

he moved back to her mouth. This time, he was gentle rather than savage, licking lightly, tracing the
outline of her lips, nibbling at the corners until she actually grabbed one of his hands and moved it to
a breast.

His laugh was low, hoarse and sensual. “Getting eager, are we?” But his face when he looked at

her was serious. “I’m not going to hurry this, Georgie. I’ve always looked at sex as a physical
exercise. Tonight, with you, I want to make it an emotional one too. Take my time.” Then his lips
curved in a hot smile. “But I will get this damn bra out of the way.”

He expertly opened the front clasp and pushed the garment to the sides. The look in his eyes as he

stared at her ramped up her pulse even more. She didn’t think she’d ever before had a man look at her
with such a combination of desire and appreciation.

“Your nipples are like rosebuds.” He licked first one then the other. “Pink and perfect.”
He took each one in his mouth again, sucking them one at a time until her breasts ached with the

tension. His teeth lightly grazed the taut buds and he finished his attention to them by licking circles
around them until the sexual tension in her body threatened to break loose without any further
stimulation. She couldn’t ever remember a man who paid as much attention to foreplay as Cade was
doing. She didn’t want him to stop, but she didn’t know how much more she could take without telling
him to rip both their clothes off.

But Cade seemed determined to take his time about this. From her breasts, he traced a line with his

tongue down to her tummy, pausing to swirl his tongue around the soft flesh of her belly button. She’d
never thought of that particular area of her body as an erogenous zone, but the light sweeps of his
tongue sent hot flames right to the center of her cunt. If her panties hadn’t been damp before, she was
sure by now they were soaked.

So slowly she wanted to scream at him to hurry, he unfastened the snap of her jeans and lowered

the zipper. He trailed kissed down to her mound, nipping her flesh lightly through the fabric before
rising to his knees so he could ease both jeans and panties from her body. A line of kisses on each leg
followed the slow glide of the fabric down over her knees and ankles. Even as aroused as she was,
she couldn’t help noting how cautious he was slipping the garments over her injured foot.

When she was completely naked, he adjusted her carefully so her legs were spread wide and he

was kneeling between them. The hungry need in his eyes was almost her undoing. Men had looked at
her before with arousal but never with appreciation as Cade was doing. His gaze raked over her from
head to foot, drinking in every naked inch of her.

“I think one of us still has too many clothes on,” she said in a whispery voice.
In response, he yanked his T-shirt over his head and tossed it to the side. Georgie swallowed a tiny

gasp as she took in his broad shoulders, the muscles of his belly that two straight weeks of hard labor
had tightened up. The soft mat of hair covering his chest that arrowed down below his waistband to
his groin.

“If I take off anything else,” he rasped, “the party will be over before it starts. I’m so hot for you,

Georgie, I need something to keep my dick from embarrassing me.”

She gave a breathy little laugh. “I’m not sure I can wait much longer myself.”
He leaned down until his face was scant inches from hers and his eyes bored into hers. “I hate to

tell you this, but all my life I’ve been a selfish son of a bitch. I never appreciated what women offered
me, just took what I thought was my right. I’m not that person any more. At least, I’m trying not to be.
So let me pleasure you. I want that more than anything.”

Something turned over in her heart, an emotion she immediately pushed away. This was one night.

One moment in time. Who knew what tomorrow would be like, or if Cade’s epiphany would even
last.

So just lie back and enjoy it, Georgie. Make good memories.
He made slow, careful love to her with his mouth and his hands. Brushing his mouth over hers yet

again, he slid it down to her wet heat between her thighs. When he gently opened her folds and stared
at her, his breathing actually hitched and his eyes darkened to the color of black coffee. Without
warning, he leaned forward and traced the length of her slit with his tongue, sending electricity jolting
through her.

“Oh.” The sigh whispered from her mouth.
He did it again, and then again.
“Mmm,” he murmured against her wet flesh. “You taste so fucking good. I could spend all night

eating you like this.”

As she arched her hips up to him, he proceeded to lap every inch of her pussy, her folds, her slit,

rimming her opening and swirling his tongue around her clit. When he took that bundle of nerves into
his mouth and slipped two fingers into her waiting heat, a moan vibrated in her throat.

“Come for me, Georgie,” he urged. “Let me see you orgasm. Let me feel you all over my hand.”
“I want…you…inside…me,” she gasped out. “Please.”
“Oh, you’ll have that. I promise you. But I want this first.”
Relentlessly, he aroused her with his fingers and his mouth, pushing her higher until she had no

choice but to let the orgasm explode through her body. He rode her through it, sucking hard on her clit
while he kept up the rhythm of his fingers. When she collapsed back on her pillows, pulse racing, she
couldn’t miss the satisfied smile on his face.

“Most excellent,” he told her. “Very, very excellent. But I knew it would be.” He kissed her, letting

her taste herself on his lips. “I just had a feeling you’d be a very passionate woman, Georgie
Zielinski. Now I’m going to prove it again.”

“I…want to see all of you,” she told him.
“I’m about to take care of that.” He reached into the back pocket of his jeans, pulled out his wallet

and extracted a foil packet.

She was shocked to see his hands shaking.
“Just so you know,” he went on, “this one’s still good. I bought it three weeks ago in an alcoholic

fog figuring I might get lucky.” He rested his hand for a moment on the curls covering her sex. “I’m
glad I didn’t get the chance to use it before, because this is definitely lucky.”

He stood up to shuck his jeans and boxer briefs. When his cock sprang free, she sucked in her

breath. Holy God. He was thick and hard and pulsing, the head a dark purple, fluid already sitting on
the slit at the top of the velvety skin. She reached for him but he shook his head.

“Touch me and I’m done. Jesus, Georgie, you just do it to me.” He knelt between her legs again. “I

wanted to take so much more time with you, but I think I’m at the end of my rope here.”

“That’s fine.” Her words came out in a breathless rush. “I can’t wait any longer either.”
And just who is this impatient woman in your body, Georgie Zielinski? You sure are being bold

tonight.

Because I want him inside me so badly. And what is up with that?
Then she had no more time for thinking, because he rolled on the condom, wrapped the fingers of

one hand around his cock and guided its thick length to her wet opening. With the other hand, he lifted
the leg with the uninjured foot and draped it over his shoulder.

“I’m going to take very good care of you, Georgie.” His voice was thick with lust. “Very, very

good care.”

With agonizing slowness, he nudged himself inside her, his gaze locked with hers, watching for

every emotion, every response. Her inner walls stretched to accommodate his thickness, his passage
eased by juices from her climax. Even so, he was a lot for her to take. Cade Hannigan was definitely
all man and a mile wide. But as she absorbed him inch by inch, her body responded, her nipples
tightening again and heat flushing her breasts and her face.

And deep inside her, the erotic coil of release began unwinding. The muscles of her pussy

clenched around him and every nerve in her body snapped and sizzled. Gradually, in increments so
slow as to be torturous, he began the erotic in-and-out slide, his eyes still locked with hers as if he
was intent on memorizing her every reaction.

Georgie hooked her ankle around his neck to give herself balance and moved her body with his, a

rhythm that increased in measured strokes.

In, out, in, out, in, out.
Oh God, oh God, oh God.
Every part of her body pulsed and throbbed. She was sure the flame in his dark eyes was a match

for her own.

Faster, she wanted to tell him. Hurry, hurry, hurry.
And yet she didn’t want it to end. Wanted the leisurely glide of his cock in and out of her channel to

go on and on.

“Damn, Georgie.” The muscles in his face tightened. “I can’t hold on any longer.”
“Go,” she breathed. “I’ll be right there with you.”
“I’ll make damn sure you are.”
Sliding a hand between them, he found her clit and matched the tempo of his fingers to those of his

shaft. The climax came roaring up from inside her, racing through her body, consuming every inch of
her. At the exact moment that Cade stiffened above her, jaws clenched, she erupted and he followed
her over the cliff.

They spun and whirled together, bodies shaking with the force of their orgasms. Nothing existed

except the two of them and the intensity of what consumed them. It went on and on, his cock pulsing
inside her, the walls of her cunt spasming and milking him until neither had breath or strength left.

At last, he slid her leg carefully from his shoulder and slowly eased his cock from the grasp of her

body. She could tell he was as stunned as she was by the whole thing. Maybe blindsided was a better
word.

“Be right back.” He kissed her lightly as he rolled to his feet.
She watched him walk toward her bathroom, the muscles of his very fine ass flexing as he moved,

and thought to herself, What just happened here? She felt as if she’d been steamrollered. She
certainly hadn’t seen it coming. Oh, there’s been that little pop and sizzle between them from the day
he’d shown up telling her she was his last chance.

But still.
She could always blame it on the two bottles of beer, but what would he use as an excuse? She

almost didn’t want him to come back from disposing of the condom. Maybe she could close her eyes

and he would make a quiet exit. Not have to fumble for words.

But in another moment, that idea was out the window. Cade walked back into the room, his lips

curved in a crooked smile, and as casually as if he belonged there, dropped carefully down on the
mattress next to her. His kiss was sweet rather than sensual, and she wasn’t sure she knew how to
decipher the warm look in his eyes.

I’ll give him an out.
“Listen,” she began, running her tongue over her lower lip.
“Whatever you’re going to say, forget it.” He brushed her damp hair back from her forehead. “That

was incredible. I’m not sure how we got here, and I sure don’t want to fuck this gig up. But, Georgie,
I think if we’re real careful we might have something here.”

She tried again. “I don’t want you to think—”
He touched the tip of a finger to her lips. “What? That you’re easy? A slut? Any of those things?”

He shook his head. “Georgie, I’ve had women like that. Far too many. And I can tell you’re nothing
like them. I’m afraid you’ll wake up tomorrow and decide you’d better kick my rotten ass out of
here.”

She smiled up at him. “Not a chance. I just—” She chewed her lip. “You’re just getting your act

together. I’m trying to find my feet.”

“And we’ll help each other.” His face sobered. “Please, Georgie. I can’t believe someone like

you, as good and clean as you, wants anything to do with me. Let’s see where it goes, okay?”

She allowed herself to relax. “Okay. One day at a time.”
“You know if those women find out, they’ll give you ten kinds of shit. For that matter, so will just

about anyone in the county.”

“That’s their problem,” she assured him. “Meanwhile, let’s keep our own little secret and not let

them intrude.”

Unless someone shows up here and sees it written all over our faces.
“Okay. Meanwhile, I’m going to get you something to sleep in and get some fresh ice for that foot.

And a couple of Tylenol.” He smiled at her. “And I’ll be here all night taking care of you.”

As she closed her eyes, all she could think was, Please, let this be real. I’m due for some good

luck. And so is he.

Chapter Five

Cade was up before it was even fully light. He leaned on one elbow, staring at a still-sleeping

Georgie. With only one or two notable exceptions, the women he’d slept with—no, be honest, Cade
—the women he’d fucked—went to bed with a full load of makeup on. The next morning, if he hung
around that long, it was a mess on their faces, like a Halloween mask gone bad. This woman, with no
makeup at all, outshone every one of them.

She was the first woman he’d ever met who didn’t try to conceal anything with artifice and

decorations. She just—was. The light filtering into the room made her skin nearly translucent and
outlined the sweep of her thick dark lashes and the fullness of her lips. Lips that had kissed him with
such unexpected passion.

The sheet and blanket had slipped down enough for him to see the slope of her shoulders and the

curve of her breasts. Remembering the feel of them in his hands, he felt his dick stirring with more
than his usual morning woody. Along with the memory of her tight pussy clamped around his dick like
a hot, wet vise. Heat rushed through him and he had to force himself to take a deep, calming breath.

Jesus!
He didn’t remember ever having a night like this one. Or a woman. Oh, if he thought about it,

maybe Amy had probably come closest to it, but he’d still been too much of a jackass to appreciate
what she’d given him. He certainly had never had sex like this, a coming together on the most
elemental level. Maybe he’d needed to lose all the bullshit to get to this point. He couldn’t deny the
fact that he and Georgie had connected in a way that touched all the places deep inside him. This
sudden flood of unfamiliar emotions scared him to death.

So now what? Maybe to her it was just sex. Damn good sex, though. Had he quite literally fucked

himself out of his last chance for redemption? Would she wake up with her eyes filled with regret and
tell him he needed to move on? Of course, if she did, he had no fucking idea where he’d move on to.

He sure as hell hoped that wasn’t what was going to happen. Last night, he’d felt as if he’d crossed

a very high mountain from the crappy Cade Hannigan who treated people like shit to the new one who
was developing a new appreciation for life. A life where he could face each day without booze, and
without the gaggle of so-called friends he’d always felt the necessity to show off for. He’d come to
appreciate the hard work that was sweating out the old person to make room for the new.

He had so many things to atone for, and damn did he ever think he’d use that word in conjunction

with himself? Of course, he still had a fucking long way to go, but now he wanted to take that journey
with Georgie Zielinski. So many emotions were swirling around inside him. He just hoped last night
had meant half as much to her as it had to him.

Don’t rush it, idiot. Find out how she feels first. Something you never took the time to do with

other women.

He took a moment to check on her foot. He’d removed the ice when he carried her into the

bedroom so she’d been without it since then. But her foot looked a lot better than the day before.
There was some discoloration, more redness than anything else. And the swelling had gone down.
She’d still have to stay off it for another day or two, an idea he was sure she’d object to. But he
planned to insist, and to do his best to take care of her.

While he was staring at her, she slowly opened her eyes.

“Morning, cowboy.” She reached up and touched his cheek, a tentative gesture, and he noticed the

uncertainty in her eyes.

He closed his fingers around her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it gently.
“Morning to you, beautiful.”
She shook her head. “Hardly beautiful.” She drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Cade,

listen. About last night.”

Shit, here it comes.
“I-I don’t want you to think I expect anything of you. Or that you’re obligated to, I don’t know, to

whatever. I mean, I understand if—”

“Georgie.” He licked the tips of her fingers. “Last night was incredible. For me anyway. I’m

hoping it was for you too. If I crossed a line, you have to let me know, but otherwise I have to say it
was probably the best night of my life. And I want more. I just don’t want to presume.”

“I—” She stopped, wet her lips. “I don’t want to presume either. I’m not sure what this is all about

or where it’s leading. I have no expectations and I’m not sure what I even have to give anyone. Except
this.”

He pushed back the feeling of unease.
“I’m not asking for anything, Georgie.” He kissed her forehead. “And God knows, I’m far from the

biggest prize in the world.”

She smiled at him. “That’s the old Cade. This is the new one.”
“The start of a new one,” he corrected.
“I think we both have a lot of baggage, so let’s take it one step at a time, okay? See where it goes?

For now, let’s just plan on enjoying each other.”

“I need to remind you that your brand new friends will give you shit about this.”
A distant look came into her eyes. “People giving me shit is nothing new. I can handle this. And if

not, then maybe we weren’t meant to be friends.”

“Georgie, I—”
“No. I meant what I said. Slow and steady, one day at a time.”
He leaned down and brushed his mouth against hers. “Okay. So how about we get up and start our

day?”

That in itself led to some problems. He insisted on helping her into the bathroom, his hands steady

on her as she hopped on her uninjured foot. But she insisted she could take care of everything herself.

“I promise I won’t break my neck. Go make some coffee. And I got fresh muffins at the bakery day

before yesterday.”

He was nervous about leaving her alone, but she’d managed her life just fine before he’d come into

it, dealing with all kinds of problems. She was a strong woman, smart enough not to do anything to
injure herself more. Yanking on his clothes, he hurried into the kitchen to start the coffee. Then he
raced out of the house and upstairs in the barn to what was the fastest shower and teeth brushing in the
world. His clean T-shirt clung to his still slightly damp body as he ran back into the house.

And all the while, he kept telling himself what a lucky bastard he was. Somehow, after pissing off

the world and all the fates, he’d been given a chance at redemption, and he didn’t intend to do one
single thing to fuck this up.

Georgie was still in her bedroom. She had obviously showered too, because she was standing on

one foot, a huge bath towel wrapped around her, trying to hold the towel with one hand and pull out

some clothes while doing her best to keep the weight off her bad foot.

“Sit,” he ordered, lifted her in his arms and set her down on the mattress. “It’s okay to let someone

help you,” he reminded her. “Even if you aren’t used to it.”

Over her grumbling protests, he took the garments from her and placed them beside her. When he

unwrapped the towel and caught sight of her body, all pink from her shower and smelling like sixteen
kinds of heaven, it was all he could do not to strip off his own clothes and take her right then. But this
was Georgie, this was more than sex, and he’d control himself if he had to pack ice in his shorts.

He did allow himself the pleasure of placing a light kiss on each breast, bringing a slow smile to

her lips. Then, gritting his teeth, he helped her into the frothy bits of lingerie, the jeans and the long-
sleeved T-shirt. He eased both socks on her feet, being extra careful with the bad one, and tied one
tennis shoe in place.

“No shoe on the other foot. Not today. Do you have any slippers?”
She frowned. “Slippers?”
“Every woman I ever met had bedroom slippers of some kind.”
“Oh. In the closet.” She pointed. “The fluffy things.”
He looked at them and grinned. “Yeah, these are slippers all right. And they’ll do for this.”
Taking one of the very fuzzy and fluffy slip-ons, he carefully slid her injured foot into it.
“No walking, though,” he insisted. “Not until we ice it again and see if the swelling has gone down

more. And how it feels when you try to step on it.”

“And exactly what am I supposed to do all day?” she huffed. “I have work to do.”
“I’ll do it,” he told her. “You can boss me around.” He grinned. “You can have the power today.”
He ignored her protests when he lifted her up again and carried her into the kitchen. And kept on

ignoring her while he propped her foot on the stepstool again and got fresh ice. Finally, he poured
two cups of coffee, warmed two muffins in the microwave and carried everything to the table.

“I didn’t realize you were so handy inside the house as well as outside,” she teased, breaking off a

small piece of muffin and popping it in her mouth.

“Actually, inside the house I do my best work.”
She blushed at the slow, meaningful grin he gave her.

Georgie studied the man opposite her over the rim of her coffee mug. The very last thing in the

world she’d expected when she ended up here at the back of beyond was to have blow-your-mind
sex. And especially not with a man who’d looked like a leftover from the dump the first time she’d
seen him. But whether he wanted to admit it or not, Cade Hannigan was a complex creature with a lot
of layers. Beneath the braggart and the shithead were a lot of layers that were slowly unfolding.

That electric sizzle was there between them from the moment he’d showed up at her front door,

literally with hat in hand. But just because they’d had one night of amazing sex didn’t mean they had
anything else going. She wasn’t ready to look beyond the physical attraction yet. Cade still had a lot
of proving to do, and she had to get her own mental house in order. Make sure she wasn’t just
grabbing onto him because he was the first person to treat her decently in a long time.

And wasn’t that just a hoot. The man her new friends had told her was dog shit treating her with

respect.

Her stomach cramped at the thought of the women. She’d been putting them off and putting them off,

but she had to face them soon. And what would she tell them? Until yesterday, she could truthfully

have said she knew what it was like to need a second chance, so she’d taken a gamble on Cade. They
would think that was bad enough. But could she hide from them the fact that she and Cade had slept
together? Had had mind-blowing sex together?

That she saw a Cade Hannigan who had apparently been hiding from the world all his life?
As if on cue, the cell phone in her pocket chimed. She fished it out, looked at the readout and made

a face.

Cade raised an eyebrow. “Bad news?”
“Depends on how you look at it.” She turned the phone around so he could see the caller ID on the

screen. “Jinx. She’s chomping at the bit to write that damn article.”

He shrugged. “You can’t avoid them forever, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She sipped at her coffee. “I don’t want her coming out here.”
“I get it.” Every bit of expression left his face.
“Oh, Cade, no.” She put her coffee down and leaned toward him. “I’m not worried about myself. I

don’t want them giving you any kind of grief. Not when—things—are going so well.”

“I don’t know, Georgie. You planning to hide me away forever?”
“You know I’m not. I just want to give us…time. A little time. To see what’s happening here.”
“I won’t blame you if you change your mind, you know. I could always leave.”
“Absolutely not.” She slammed her mug down so hard coffee sloshed over onto the table. “My

place. My life. My choice. So forget about that.” She popped a piece of muffin in her mouth and
chewed thoughtfully, then lifted her bad foot and wiggled it tentatively. “I may not be able to wear a
real shoe on this tomorrow, but if I ice it all day today it will be a lot better. It’s my left foot so I
ought to be able to drive.”

“Not on your life.” He shook his head. “You think I’d let you out of here wounded like that?”
Georgie threw back her head and laughed. “Did you say let me? Cade, I don’t need anyone’s

permission for anything. I’m smart enough not to endanger myself or anyone else. Let me set this up. If
tomorrow I think I can’t do it, I’ll reschedule.”

He held up his hand.” Okay. I don’t really have the right to tell you what to do anyway. Maybe the

asshole in me is coming back after all.”

She reached for his hand and linked her fingers with his. “Not when you’re trying to do something

nice for me. Thank you.”

He raked his other hand through his hair. “This is all strange to me, Georgie. Having something like

this—” he pointed at her and then at himself, “—I don’t even know what to call it.”

“Me either. So like we said, we’ll play it by ear.”
“You stay off that foot while I’m outside,” he reminded her.
“I will. If you’ll get me my iPad. When I signed up for satellite service I included Internet in the

package so I can get online. I can start looking for furniture and stuff. Although I’m hoping to check
out some moving sales around here too. Maybe pick up some authentic Hill Country artifacts and
things.”

“Too bad you weren’t shopping when they had the fire sale at our ranch.” There was no missing the

bitterness in his voice.

“Forget about that. There are plenty of places to look anyway. I plan to study the ads in the

newspaper too. Now get my iPad, fill up your thermos and get on outside. Do you think you’re ready
to start scraping the paint yet?”

He grinned at her and eased his hand away from hers, saluting her with two fingers. “Yes, ma’am.

On my way.”

“So tell me again how you hurt your foot?” Jinx helped Georgie into the booth at Bit and Bite

before sliding in across from her.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid. Sheer stupidity.” She sighed. “I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing

and dropped a hammer on my toes.”

“Jesus, Georgie. Sounds like you need a keeper. I thought you were hiring someone to help you?”
The waitress set two mugs of coffee in front of them and then left to take care of other customers.
“I, um, did.” She buried her nose in the mug, sipping the hot dark liquid.
“So?” Jinx cocked an eyebrow. “Who is it and where did you find him? How come we didn’t get

to check him out?” She sat back. “You can’t be too careful who you hire.”

“I, uh, don’t think you know him,” she waffled.
Well, actually, that’s true. She wouldn’t know this Cade Hannigan.
They took a moment to scan the menus and place their orders. Then Jinx leaned forward, an eager

grin on her face. “Amy and Reenie hated it that they couldn’t make it today. They’re so jealous I get
you all to myself. So give me all the dirt. How’s it coming? How much have you gotten done? When
can I see it? And when do you think it will open?”

“Hold it, hold it.” Georgie laughed. “I’m a long way from that right now. Still doing the basics.”
“So how far have you gotten? I don’t think it’s too early to write an article about it. People are

plenty curious. I say let’s give them something to talk about.”

Georgie took another swallow of coffee. “I’ve got the dining room and living room ready to paint,

got plumbing estimates for the bathrooms.” She shook her head. “Holy cow, Jinx. You’d think I was
furnishing the royal bath or something the prices they’re talking. And I need an electrician to do some
basic rewiring.”

Jinx was making notes on her phone. “I have a great plumber I’m going to put you in touch with. He

won’t try to build up his entire retirement fund on this one job. Got an electrician too.”

“I need people who can work within my budget,” she warned.
“No problem. Now. What about the outside? Is your handyman, or whatever, taking care of that?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “That’s under control.”
They paused while the waitress set their plates in front of them.
“I’m curious,” Jinx went on. “Where did you find this guy, whoever he is? I usually have a handle

on whoever is looking for work around here, either through our want ads or word of mouth.”

“I just got lucky.” Georgie picked up half of her club sandwich. “Let’s eat and then we can talk

about the article.”

“Okay. I want to come out and take some before pictures too. I don’t want to wait until you’ve got

too much done.”

“How about this? I’ll take some shots with my phone and email them to you. Will that work?”
Jinx studied her, a curious look on her face. “Georgie, is there some reason you don’t want me to

come out there? Something you don’t want me to know?”

Georgie busied herself wiping her lips and taking another swallow of coffee, schooling her face

into a bland expression. “Not at all. I just want to wait until it’s a little more, um, presentable.”

“If you say so. Well, anyway, tell me about your vision for the place. Do you have a name yet?”
“Still working on it. Maybe you and the others can help me.”
Jinx took a lot of notes while they finished eating and then sat back with a smile.
“Okay. Send me those pictures and I’ll do an article that will really pique everyone’s curiosity.”
“I hope they don’t all decide to come driving by and snoop.” Crap. That was all she needed.
“I’ll ask you again. Is there a reason you don’t want anyone there?”
“Just that I want to be able to have a big reveal when I’m done.” She reached for a smile. “Maybe

you can help me out there.”

“I’ll do what I can. But, honey, in a small town in a small county, everything is everyone else’s

business. Better get used to it.”

This should prove interesting.
“Well. I need to get home and answer some emails and things. Thanks so much for lunch.” She took

her wallet out of her purse. “My treat.”

“You can get it next time. This one’s on me. Oh—” Jinx stood up and hitched the strap of her purse

over her shoulder, “—I almost forgot. The Starks and Montgomerys and a couple of other folks are
coming over to my place Saturday night. Well, my folks’ place, but I’m camping there until they get
back. Anyway, Dillon and I are doing a barbecue and we’d love you to come.”

Georgie busied herself gathering her things. “That’s very nice of you, Jinx, but I’m really an

outsider here.”

“Not any more. Come on. It will be fun. And you’ll get to meet more people who can help you

spread the word. I’ll text you the directions. And if your foot is worse, one of the guys will pick you
up.”

This is a big mistake, Georgie said to herself, even as she nodded her acceptance. Huge mistake.
She twisted it around in her mind all the way home. She expected to feel uncomfortable. The odd

man out, so to speak. But could she stand up to an evening of questioning without giving anything
away?

Cade was up on the extension ladder working on one side of the house when she pulled into the

driveway. She took a moment to admire how much he’d gotten done today. A couple more days and
they’d be ready to paint outside. A tiny thrill of excitement flittered through her.

He waved at her and scrambled down the ladder to help her out of the car. But his smile

disappeared when she told him about the invitation.

“You know they’ll grill you within an inch of your life,” Cade said. “I know those women. They

wouldn’t give a gnat any peace.”

“You’re right.” She chewed on her lip. “Maybe it would be best if I just text Jinx and tell her I

can’t make it.”

“Hell, no.” Cade raked his fingers through his hair. “That will just up their curiosity. Then they

really will show up here.”

Her laugh was slightly hysterical. “Either I have no friends, no one in my love life, or I have all of

that and on opposite sides of the fence, so to speak.”

Cade stared off in the distance. “My being here is really screwing things up for you. Preventing you

from having real friends. Establishing yourself in the community. Maybe I should—”

“Don’t even say it.” She touched her fingers to his lips. “I can handle it. I’ve faced tougher people

than them in worse situations. And I’ll leave early.” She gave him a shy look. “If I’m a good girl, will

I get a reward when I get home?”

Cade grinned at her. “You can have your reward tonight, if you want.”
“Are you sure you’re not too tired?”
He brushed his hand against his jeans before cupping her chin. “I think I’m up to the task.”


“I’m telling you,” Jinx said into her phone, “there’s something she’s not telling us.”
She had set up a conference call with Amy and Reenie and was busy picking over every morsel of

conversation from her lunch with Georgie.

“We don’t know her all that well,” Amy pointed out. “Maybe we’re just coming on too strong for

her. Overwhelming her.”

“No.” Jinx fiddled with the highlighter she was holding. “It’s more than that. She’s hiding

something.”

“What could she be hiding?” Amy chuckled. “She’s not a wanted felon or anything, is she?”
“No.” Jinx tapped the highlighter on the desk. “That’s not the feeling I got.”
“Maybe you should Google her,” Reenie suggested. “She worked for Carlton Enterprises in

Dallas. As big as they are, they’d be covered pretty well in the newspapers.”

Jinx made a face, even though they couldn’t see her. “I’d feel as if I was intruding on her privacy.”
“But maybe it’s something she could use our help with,” Reenie insisted.
“Let’s back off a little here,” Amy put in. “We don’t know her well, but she doesn’t seem like a

stupid woman. She can reach out to us if she needs help. Saturday night we’ll make sure she feels
comfortable enough with us to do that. Let her know we really want to be friends.”

Reenie’s laugh burst into the conversation. “Just make sure you don’t do it with a sledgehammer,

my sweet sister-in-law. You aren’t always known for your subtlety.”

“Thanks.” Amy snorted.
“Reenie’s right though,” Jinx said. “We can use Saturday night to help her enlarge her comfort zone

with us.”

“I think one of us should pick her up,” Reenie suggested.
“She was very emphatic about driving herself. I think she wants us to know she’s independent.”
“Okay, okay. But—”
“But nothing. Let’s play it by ear.”
But Jinx’s reporter’s nose was twitching. Georgie was definitely hiding something. If she didn’t

fess up at the barbecue, then Google it was.

Chapter Six

Georgie was sitting on the big stepstool, using the steamer on the wallpaper in the foyer when Cade

came in from outside at the end of the day. He crouched down to ease the slipper and sock from her
injured foot and gently checked the toes.

“Much better,” he pronounced. “Hardly any swelling left and the discoloration’s already fading.”
“It’s all that ice,” she told him, grinning. “I think it froze my foot so badly it’s afraid not to get

better.”

He laughed. “Joke if you will, but it did the trick.” He stood up and chugged from the bottle of

water he’d snagged from the fridge. “I’m done for the day. And it’s time for you to quit too.”

Before she could object, he shut off the steamer, took the instrument from her hand and placed it on

the tarp on the floor.

“Wow. Getting bossy, aren’t we?”
“You bet.” He winked at her.
Their relationship was changing and reforming every day, from the tentative efforts after that first

night to a more relaxed atmosphere, even joking with each other. For a man who told her his ego had
been bigger than the state of Texas, he seemed surprisingly unsure of himself. Of course, no more than
she was. She couldn’t get an old adage out of her head—if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

But whatever else they might be dealing with, there was nothing wrong with the sex. Stupendous

didn’t even begin to describe it. As a lover, Cade was by turns tender and aggressive, giving and
taking. Her body ached in the most delicious places.

“I want to go outside and see what it looks like.” Pushing herself up from the stool, she tested her

weight on the bad foot. So far so good. Nothing more than a bad twinge. That she could deal with.

But Cade had other ideas. He swooped her up in his arms, carried her through the bedroom to the

bathroom and set her down on the vanity.

“Shower first.” He winked. “Painting’s hot, sweaty work, and I’ve been thinking about this all

day.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Taking a shower?”
“With you.” He bent down and pressed his mouth to hers in a light, gentle touch. Then the

expression on his face turned serious. “Is that okay? I’m so afraid of doing the wrong thing here.”

“Remember what we said? There is no wrong thing. One day at a time. Take it as it comes.”
He rubbed his jaw. “I still don’t understand how someone who was as big an asshole as I was,

who fell into the gutter, landed with someone like you and got a second chance at life.”

Georgie reached for his hand. “There are always second chances. Not everyone wants to look for

them or take them when they pop up. You had to want to do this, Cade. I think that says a lot about the
real person who’s been hiding inside you all this time. Now.” She tugged her T-shirt over her head.
“How about that shower?”

“Coming right up.” He grinned at her as he pulled three condoms from his back pocket.
Georgie quirked an eyebrow at him. “Optimistic?”
He winked. “Confident.”
First adjusting the shower spray and the temperature of the water, he shucked off his own clothes

before undressing Georgie. Then he lifted her into the shower stall with him and leaned her against

the wall so she didn’t have to keep all her weight on her still sore foot.

He poured a generous amount of scented shower gel into his hands and worked it into a soapy

lather. With infinite care, he stroked the soapy solution down her neck, leaning toward her to nibble at
her earlobe and lick the shell of her ear. Coasting his hands along the slope of her shoulders, he
massaged her muscles with his lean fingers, down the length of her arms to her wrists. With his gaze
locked to hers, he kneaded every muscle, even those in her fingers and wrists.

She had never had anyone make such slow, tender love to her. As wild as he’d been the night

before—and wild barely described it—he was that gentle now.

Pouring more gel, he fused his mouth to hers as his fingers worked their way across the upper

swell of her breasts. He licked the seam of her lips, demanding entrance, while his fingers teased and
tweaked her taut nipples. Heat sizzled from the pebbled buds straight to her cunt, setting up spasms in
her inner walls. She squeezed her thighs together in a vain attempt to still the tremors working their
way upward through her body. Cade’s lips curved into a smile against hers when he realized what she
was doing.

“I can’t believe how easily I make you hot, Georgie.” His mouth still touching hers, he took one of

her hands and drew it down to where his erection was pressing against her body. “But you do the
same to me. Feel that.”

She gasped, the intake of breath sucking his tongue into her mouth as she wrapped her fingers

around the thick, heavy shaft that felt so good to her touch. As he continued to move his hands over
her body, covering every inch of skin with the fragrant, soapy bubbles, she slowly stroked his cock,
her thumbs sliding back and forth across the velvet head.

“Easy,” he murmured. “You know you have me ready to go just by touching me.”
She laughed deep in her throat. “I know it, and I love it.”
Lifting her hand away, he knelt to soap her legs, his touch light and feathery as he rubbed her inner

thighs and the crease where thigh and hip joined. Georgie steadied herself by clutching his shoulders
and he drew soft teasing strokes over the lips of her pussy and the pink flesh that was wet from much
more than the shower.

Her legs threatened to collapse when he pinched her clit between thumb and forefinger and then

pulled and tugged on it. At the same time, he slid the lather-covered fingers of the other hand back
toward her ass, rubbing that sensitive skin in a tempo calculated to drive her wild.

She threw back her head and closed her eyes, the spray from the shower cascading over her as

Cade rubbed and teased and played until she was shaking with need. But instead of doing anything to
satisfy her, he turned her and placed her hands flat against the shower wall. Then he went to work on
her back with the same slow, methodical, teasing strokes. She heard a soft moan and realized it was
coming from her mouth.

Resting her forehead on the tiles, she gave herself over to the movement of Cade’s hands down her

back, her hips and her legs as he swept them back up to cup the curve of her buttocks. When he slid
his soap-slicked fingers into the hot crevice between the cheeks of her ass, she curled her fingers into
the palms of her hands and bit down on her lower lip. He rubbed the tender skin, the tip of one finger
rimming the tight pucker of her anus again and again. God, that felt so good.

Placing his mouth next to her ear, he whispered, “The next time we’re in bed, I want to take you

here, Georgie. Will you let me?”

The heat rushing through her body robbed her of speech. All she could do was nod her head.

“You’re so fucking tight.” He pushed his finger into the opening, breaching the tight ring of muscle.

“And hot. Jesus, you’re so hot here.”

He eased his finger inside her a little more and then a little more, twisting it and brushing the

heated tissues. “I want this so badly. Sometimes when I think about it during the day, it’s a wonder I
don’t fall off the ladder and break my dick. Next time, Georgie. Keep thinking about it.”

He moved his hand away and turned her back to face him.
“My turn,” she insisted, although she was so aroused she could barely stand.
“I don’t think so.” His voice was rough with desire. “If I’m not inside you in the next couple of

minutes, I might explode.”

Lifting her out of the shower, he tugged the big bath towel from the rod, wrapped it around her and

sat her back on the vanity.

“Don’t move.”
Georgie didn’t think she’d ever seen a man shower and rinse off that fast. It seemed like barely

seconds before they were on the mattress, a condom sheathing his dick, her legs over his shoulders
the way he liked them, opening her to him completely.

“Jesus, Georgie, you are so fucking beautiful. Every inch of you.” He nudged her opening with the

head of his dick. “You look so good, feel so good, taste so good. When we’re naked together, I don’t
know what I want to do first.” He slid in partway. “Do I want to suck your nipples? Your clit? Slide
my fingers into your wet little cunt?” He slid in a little more. “Or run my tongue over every inch of
you inside and out.”

Okay, she was now officially so aroused she could feel her release starting to unwind deep inside

her body. She reached for him, wanting to pull him closer to her. Needing to feel his chest against her
breasts, the fine chest hair pleasantly tickling her skin.

He braced himself on either side of her, lowering his upper body until she had what she wanted. In

one smooth move, he thrust fully inside her and slid his tongue into her mouth.

Oh God!
Automatically, she linked her ankles at the back of his neck and thrust her hips upward so they

were sealed together. She loved the feel of him buried deep inside her body, the two of them almost
one person. His tongue scoured the inside of her mouth, licking every surface, twisting with her own
tongue in an erotic dance.

Then, lifting his head, he began the familiar sensual rhythm that already felt so familiar to her. He

looked into her eyes, his gaze locked with hers.

“I want to know what you’re thinking,” Cade told her in a husky voice. “I’m totally sober, and what

you give to me, you give so freely. That’s a gift, Georgie. I want to know that I’m pleasing you
because you have no idea how much I appreciate it.”

This time she saw things in his eyes that sent a tide of emotion racing through her. Desire mixed

with a need and a hunger that had nothing to do with sex. It was almost as if she could see clear to his
soul. And maybe he could see to hers. Something coursed through her body and the entire tenor of
what they were doing suddenly took on a new significance.

She reached her hands for his face again and pulled his head down to her, rubbing her fingers

against the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Beneath that softness were hard, corded muscles and a
tension radiating through his body. The same tension that engulfed her. The overwhelming need for
each other.

The slow in-and-out glide of his cock rubbed the slick walls of her pussy as her muscles clenched

around him. Almost imperceptibly, he picked up the pace, increasing the tempo as he read the heat she
knew he could see in her eyes. Then he moved faster still, until he was thrusting into her harder and
harder.

She could see the signs of his impending climax, the darkening of his eyes, the tensing of his body,

the tightening of his muscles. This time, instead of reaching for her clit, he adjusted their bodies so
each time he drove in and out of her, his groin rubbed against that hot little bundle of nerves.

More, more, more.
She wanted to scream it at him and she felt the intense buildup in both of their bodies.
And then they were there, the shared orgasm surging through both of them, exploding and

consuming them. Everything fell away except the intense spasms that gripped them both and shook
them like a giant fist. His cock pulsed over and over in her throbbing channel, her heart pounded, and
for a long moment, she was blind to everything but what was happening to their bodies.

Georgie had no idea how long they shuddered together before the intensity abated. Holding on to

each other, they rode out the aftershocks. Cade’s heart pounded against her own, his rasping breath
mingling with hers until finally their bodies were completely spent.

He rolled to the side, taking her with him. He held her for a long time, stroking her back before

easing himself from her body and heading into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. When he
returned, he lay down next to her again, cuddling her against him, both bodies slicked with sweat.
They lay there in silence, somehow neither of them needing words.

As many times as they’d made love in such a short amount of time—not just sex, Georgie, no matter

what you try to tell yourself—there was something different this time. More emotional. More…
connecting. Cade sensed it too. She’d seen it in his eyes.

So where did they go from here? Everything was still so new. So fragile. She admired him for

picking up the shattered pieces of his life, but what if he relapsed? What if they reached a point—

“I can hear your brain turning, Georgie.” Cade placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “No one should

have such heavy thoughts after such outstanding sex.” His voice tightened. “Anything you’d like to
share?”

She sighed. Enough already. “Just thinking how lucky I am. That’s all.”
“Sure you aren’t worried about dinner tomorrow night? All the questions sure to come your way?”
Was she?
No.
She was more than capable of fending off the most prying inquisition in the world. She’d done it

for a long time at Carlton Enterprises. She could certainly take on these people in Rowan County.

“Not at all. In fact, I’m planning to get there on time and leave early. This foot makes a good

excuse.”

“You can’t hide me forever.” His voice was tinged with bitterness.
“I can until you’re ready to face them. When you believe you’ve got a good hold on your life.”
A long pause. “And on us?”
“Whatever happens with us, I want you to be absolutely sure of it.”
“You too. You’ve made a huge difference in my life.”
Tears clogged the back of her throat. She needed to break this mood. “Hey. Weren’t you going to

show me the outside of the house?”

“Right now.” He helped her to her feet. “Let’s throw some clothes on so we don’t get arrested for

indecency and I’ll show off my handiwork.”

As they walked through the house, she said, “I never asked, but did you run into anyone when you

hauled all those trash bags to the dump?”

His laugh was anything but humorous. “Honey, the people I ran with don’t go anywhere near the

dump. And the people who did see me looked at me like I should throw myself into the dumpster with
those bags.”

“I’m so sorry, Cade.”
“Why? No one got me into this mess but me. I just nodded, unloaded the trash and took off.”
By now he’d walked her out the back door and around to the side of the house he’d worked on all

day. She stopped and caught her breath. Sure, it was only one side, but oh lordy. The off-white paint
she’d chosen had a hint of cream in it and caught the rays of the end-of-the-day sun so it almost
glowed.

“Oh, Cade.” She clasped her hands in front of her body. “It’s gorgeous.”
He laughed. “We’ve got a long way to go, sweetheart, but yeah, it sure looks a damn sight better.”
“I can’t wait until it’s all done.” She turned around and pulled his face down to hers. “We’re

building something together here, you know? A fresh start for us and this place. Thank you so much.
Thank you, thank you.” She peppered his face with kisses.

“Wow. If I get this when I do just one side of this place, think what’s in store for me when I have

the whole place painted.”

She punched him playfully in the gut. “Then you’d better get started early tomorrow.”
For the first time, a river of excitement flowed through her veins and images danced in her brain. It

was really going to happen. Her dream was going to come true. She might even send a thank you to
the asshole at Carlton Enterprises for giving her the impetus to make this happen.

Cade worked until there was no light left on Saturday, trying to wipe his mind of thoughts of

Georgie’s coming evening with her friends. When the light began to fade, he climbed down off the big
ladder to admire how much he’d gotten done and decided to work on the old wallpaper. All the walls
on the first floor had been stripped except the big foyer. If he could get that done for her, maybe on
Monday when the plumber began to work he could tackle the upstairs and stay out of sight.

He knew he couldn’t hide away forever, but he didn’t plan to face the public any sooner than he

had to. He was just beginning to come to terms with what he’d been and how he was redeeming
himself. He wanted to be sure he had a good handle on things, because once the cat was out of the
bag, all hell could break loose. No one else would believe he was behaving himself and working his
ass off. They’d probably give Georgie all kinds of grief for hiring him. And getting involved with
him.

If I were as decent as I’d like to think I’m becoming, I’d take off before that happens.
But he wanted to be here. With her. So he guessed he’d take things one day at a time, the way

they’d discussed.

Alone, the evening dragged as if it had lead weights tied to it. As he did every day since he arrived

at the emerging B&B, and at night now when he wasn’t in Georgie’s arms or sleeping, he relived the
crap he’d made out of his life, disgusted with the person he’d been and praying that the results of this

epiphany would last. He guessed he’d had to fall lower than the gutter to find his way up. Maybe if he
hadn’t met Georgie he wouldn’t want this redemption so badly, but he wanted to be worthy of her. To
be in a place where he could stand with her. Protect her. Prove to people that, unbelievable as it
seemed, he had really changed and he was here for her in this massive undertaking.

He spent most of the night lying on the mattress, trying to watch television, but every time he turned

his head, he inhaled Georgie’s scent that clung to the sheets and pillows, and it drove him nuts. He
figured he looked at his watch at least every fifteen minutes. Every bad scenario ran through his mind.
Maybe Amy and her friends had grilled Georgie and gotten everything out of her. Maybe they had told
her about every rotten thing he’d done. Insisted she toss him out of here. Finally, when he was about
to lose his mind, he heard her car pull into the gravel parking area, her steps on the front porch and
the opening and closing of the front door.

He was on his feet when she walked into the bedroom.
“So how did it go?”
“How about a kiss hello first?” She smiled up at him, although he could see lines of strain on her

face.

“Anytime.” He kissed her with as much feeling as he could put into it. They were both breathing

heavily when he broke the kiss. “How’s the foot?”

“Who’s asking? If it’s my new friends, it hurts like hell. I need to get off it and ice it right away. If

it’s you, it’s getting better every minute.”

“Let’s get you off it and let me take a look.” He eased her down to the mattress, took off the soft

shoe she had on and prodded it gently with his fingers. When she barely winced, he nodded in
satisfaction.

“Don’t worry. I kept it elevated all night and made a big deal out of it.” She lay back on the

pillows and sighed. “Boy, I’ll tell you. Those women could give the CIA lessons in interrogation.”

“They really dove into you, didn’t they?”
“Uh huh.” She winked. “But I gave as good as I got. I dodged the questions I didn’t want to answer

and talked so much about everything else they couldn’t get a word in. I did good, Cade.”

“I bet you did.” He gave her a soft kiss. “But you know it’s only a temporary reprieve. You can

only put them off for so long.”

She looked up at him, brushing his hair back from his face. “And what if they do find out? I think

it’s amazing that when Ed threw you out you didn’t just lie in the gutter and drink yourself to death.
You deserve credit for this. For showing up here that day and sticking to this.” She frowned. “Is there
anything you haven’t told me that they can spring on me? Anything I should know?”

Bitterness washed through him. “I don’t think so, but who knows? And Amy hates me so much who

knows what she’ll come up with.”

“Listen to me.” She put her hands on his cheeks. “We’re building something here, Cade. Not just a

B&B, but a relationship. It’s just as fragile as this house, but we’re working on both. If either of them
fall apart, they weren’t meant to be. And I’m tired of hiding.” She let her hands fall back beside her.
“I let a lecherous bastard spread rumors about me and chase me out of Dallas. I’m not going to let that
happen again.”

“And if you end up not being able to open this place because of it?”
She shrugged. “Then I’ll sell it, take my money and find a place somewhere else where gossip

won’t matter.”

Something inside him softened at her words. “If you’ve got the stomach for it, I guess I do too.

Let’s give ourselves the rest of the weekend. On Monday I’ll take you to lunch at the Bit and Bite.”

I don’t deserve her. Not yet. But by God, I’m going to.


The Montgomerys and the Starks hung out with Jinx and Dillon until the evening chill chased them

inside. The men appeared content to just sit back and finish their drinks. Dillon had turned on ESPN
and they were watching the final minutes of a baseball game. The women, on the other hand, were
huddled around the dining room table, consumed with curiosity.

“I agree with what you said the other day, Jinx.” Reenie paused to take a sip of her wine. “There’s

definitely something she doesn’t want us to know.”

“What do you think it is?” Amy asked. “Is she having more trouble getting that place in shape than

she wants to admit?”

Jinx shook her head. “Maybe, but I don’t think so. I checked with the plumber and electrician I

recommended to make sure they gave her rock-bottom prices and she’s full steam ahead. I asked if
she needed help with anything else and she said she’s got it handled.”

Amy leaned forward. “You know she’s not doing everything herself. But who the hell did she hire?

You’d think by now whoever it is would be spilling all the details at the Lone Star Bar or the Bit and
Bite. I mean, this town is a gossip-hungry animal. Everyone wants to know everything about
everyone.”

Reenie downed the last of her wine. “I say we make an impromptu visit. Who’s up for it?”
The other two women looked at each other.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Amy said in a slow voice. “We want to be friends with her and

we’ve made a good start. But if we just barge in and jump all over her, I think it would piss her off.”

“Maybe she just wants to wait until the place is really presentable,” Jinx put in. “Maybe she

doesn’t want us to see it in process. Some people are funny that way.”

“I don’t know.” Amy fiddled with her empty glass. “Let’s meet for lunch on Monday. I have to take

stuff to the post office. Reenie, didn’t you say you had to pick up some things at the office supply
store?”

Her sister-in-law nodded.
“Okay,” Amy went on. “Jinx, lunch break? Bit and Bite at one o’clock?”
“All right.” Jinx frowned. “I just have a weird feeling about this whole thing. I hope we’re not

going to piss her off before we hardly start being friends.”

“Friends care about friends,” Amy pronounced. “We’ll just do what we have to do.”

Chapter Seven

“Are you nervous?” Cade looked over at Georgie as he pulled her SUV into a parking space and

killed the engine.

She smiled at him. “For you, not for me. Think you’re up to this?”
“I think we have to do it sooner or later, so we might as well get it over with.” He paused. “But,

Georgie, if people—”

She pressed her fingers to his mouth. “If people are unhappy, that’s their problem. I believe in you,

Cade. Let me help you start believing in yourself.”

He let out a slow breath. “Okay. If you’re game, I am. Let’s do it.”
He walked around to help her out of the vehicle, balancing her weight. Although she could walk on

her sore foot by now, she still favored it and found herself with a slight limp. When he opened the
door to the Bit and Bite and ushered her in ahead of him, people automatically looked up, curious to
see who was arriving now.

All conversation suddenly stopped, as if the audio switch had been thrown. Eyes stared at them

from faces frozen in astonishment.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Cade began.
But Georgie was getting angry. People needed to know that this man was working hard to redeem

himself. To become a new person. With her.

“Let’s sit over there.” She pointed to an empty booth in the middle of the row along the wall.
“You sure you don’t want the one in the corner?” Cade asked.
“I’d sit in the middle of the damn room if there was a table empty. Come on.”
They slid into the booth, Cade doing his best to keep his eyes focused on Georgie. The waitress

appeared at their side and slid one mug in front of Georgie.

She looked up at the woman and gave her the sweetest smile she could manage. “Thanks. We’ll

need another mug though. There are two of us, as you can see.”

The woman glared at her, shot a look of venom at Cade but went to fetch the mug.
“Told you this wasn’t such a good idea,” he reminded her. “To make matters worse, that woman

and I had, um, what you might call a short relationship.”

“You slept with her.” Georgie stated it matter-of-factly. “Call it what it was. It’s over and done

with. Time to move on and this is as good a place as any to show people the new you.”

“Yeah, right.” He snorted. “Like they’ll even care.”
She reached across the table and touched his arm. “Do you trust me, Cade?”
“I do, although why you believe in me is way beyond me.”
“My bullshit meter has had a lot of practice,” she told him. “And it tells me the new you is for real.

Is it still a little shaky? Absolutely. But you’re moving forward. With me. So let’s have lunch.”

Although the waitress made her displeasure with him evident and people stared at them and

whispered constantly, they managed to relax partway through lunch, and even laugh a little. Georgie
was grinning at something Cade said when the door to the restaurant opened and the triumvirate
walked in—Amy, Reenie and Jinx. They were busy chatting with each other about something and
smiling, until Reenie caught sight of Georgie and Cade and nudged her sister-in-law.

Georgie didn’t think she’d ever seen such a combination of shock and anger on anyone’s face

before, and she’d been in a lot of sticky situations. If looks could really kill, she and Cade would both
be dead. At least Cade would, and she’d be severely injured.

“Don’t look now,” Georgie said in a low voice, “but I think we’re about to be the center of some

very unpleasant attention. Just remember, I’m with you all the way.”

He set the half of sandwich he was eating down on his plate. “What now?”
In seconds, Amy Montgomery was standing beside their booth, the other two women behind her.

She looked at Georgie, astonished.

“This is your handyman? This piece of crap? The one we warned you about?”
Georgie stared at her in shock. “Amy?”
“No wonder you didn’t want to tell us who you’d hired. I’m appalled at your lack of judgment.”
“Listen, Amy,” Cade began.
“Get out of here, Cade.” Her voice was heavy with venom and rage. “You don’t belong where

decent people eat.”

“Amy, stop,” Georgie began.
But Amy was apparently on a roll and her friends didn’t look as if they were planning to stop her.

Before anyone realized what she was doing she slapped Cade hard across the face.

“Jesus, Amy,” Reenie whispered. She reached for Amy’s arm but her sister-in-law shook her off.
“How dare you show your face here, Cade Hannigan, as if you’re some respectable human being.

Which we all know you’re not.” She turned to Georgie. “So this is why you wouldn’t let us come to
see you. I can understand it, because we would have told you to throw him off your property.” Her
voice was escalating in volume and the entire restaurant was listening.

“Amy.” Reenie touched her shoulder. “Let’s go. We’ll eat someplace else. We can talk to Georgie

about this later.”

“Absolutely not.” She pounded her fist on the table. “It would make me happy if you just dropped

off the face of the earth, piece of crap that you are.”

“Amy, take a breath and listen to me.” Reenie reached for Amy’s hand again but the woman jerked

it away. “Maybe Cade is making a real effort to turn his life around and that’s why Georgie hired him.
You haven’t seen him the past few weeks—”

“Turn his life around?” She gave a hysterical laugh. “That’s just rich. Georgie, I can’t believe you

fell for his line. You must be the only person in Rowan County who would.”

“I—”
“Do you know what he did to me? Do you?”
Georgie nodded. “He’s told me everything.”
“I don’t believe it. Did he tell you he lied to me when we were engaged and I ran into him in a bar

with naked women draped over him? Or how about all the threats he made after I broke it off? Or the
day he and his so-called friends trapped me in front of the post office. If Buck hadn’t happened to
show up just then I think he was actually ready to beat me. Hit me.” Her eyes blazed. “How about
that? You’re hiding a man who abuses women.”

Georgie glanced at Cade and saw every vestige of color leach from his face. She looked back at

Amy.

“I think we can continue this discussion in a much less public place.” She was surprised her voice

was as steady as it was. “There are things about Cade you need to know. Why don’t I call you later?”

She literally had to push her way out of the booth, forcing the women to move back. Cade dropped

some cash on the table and followed her to the door.

“I have plenty more stories to tell you,” Amy shouted after them. “I guess we made a mistake

thinking you were someone we wanted to be friends with. We don’t want anything to do with a person
who hangs out with assholes, the kind who intimidate and threaten women. You should save yourself
while you can.”

Georgie was shaking when they climbed back into the SUV. She waited until they had pulled out of

town before trying to say anything.

“Cade, I want you to know—”
“Not now.” His words were like chips of ice.
“But—”
“I said not now.”
What frightened Georgie was the absolute lack of any emotion in his voice. She twisted her hands

together in her lap on the silent ride to the B&B. Cade was still silent as he helped her into the house.
After guiding her to a chair in the kitchen, he continued on to the bedroom. She started after him when
she heard him rustling around in there but in seconds he was back with the beat-up suitcase he’d
brought his things over to the house in.

“Where are you going?” She could hardly breathe.
“I knew this wouldn’t work. I told you that from the beginning. I’m poison. And poison’s bad for

the system.” He headed toward the door.

“Don’t leave.” She limped after him. “I want to talk about this.”
He stopped and turned. The pain on his face was almost unbearable to look at.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I made my bed. I guess I’ll be lying in it for whatever’s left of my

miserable life. I should have known better. People like me don’t get second chances.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “Do you think I believed what Amy said? You told me about

those episodes yourself. Cade, she’s upset and holding a lot of anger. But do you really think I’d
believe you would hit her? Or me? Or any woman, for that matter?”

“What’s the difference? Everyone else will believe it. Because they want to. You’ll never make a

go of this place with me around here. People don’t forgive or forget.” He opened the front door. “The
best thing I can do for you is walk out of your life.”

“No.” She grabbed his free arm. “I won’t let you leave. Not like this.”
“You don’t have a choice. I’m out of here.”
She stood in the open doorway, unshed tears burning her eyes. “What about us? Was that a lie?

Were you giving me a line too?”

But even as she said the words, she knew they weren’t true. Cade had peeled away every layer of

himself for her. He might have been able to snow her for a couple of days, but not for all this time.

At the door to his truck, he turned to look at her, agony etched so deeply on his face it pierced her

heart.

“There is no us. There can’t be. You just saw the reason why. I was an idiot to think there could

be.”

She limped out to the driveway, but before she could make it to the gravel, he’d backed up his

pickup and roared out to the street. She stood there watching him pull away, feeling emptier than she
had in a long time.

Finally, she trudged back into the house, locked the door and threw herself down on her mattress.

Cade wasn’t the only fool here. How stupid was it to think everything was going to work out. The
B&B and Cade had become her life. But without him this place didn’t seem quite so important
anymore.

And for the first time in longer than she could remember, she indulged in a good long cry.
Her cell phone rang several times, followed by an assault on the doorbell and banging on both the

front door and back.

“Georgie.” She heard Jinx’s voice. “We know you’re in there. Let us in. Come on. That business

wasn’t really directed at you. Amy wants to apologize for making such a scene.”

I’m not the only one she should apologize to.
She didn’t have the strength or inclination for any kind of deep discussion with them right now. She

was more worried about where Cade had gone, what he would do and if she’d ever see him again.

At last, they gave up and she heard their vehicles pull away. Still fully clothed, she pulled the

covers over herself and tried to blank everything from her mind.

“Okay, who called this council of war?” Reenie filled her coffee mug and sat back down at the

table.

“I did,” Jinx admitted. “We need to discuss Georgie.”
They were sitting in Amy’s kitchen with coffee and muffins from the Muffin Man.
Amy groaned. “She won’t even talk to me. I’ve tried. Although if I’m honest about it, if I were her I

wouldn’t talk to me either.”

“She won’t talk to any of us,” Reenie pointed out.
“She wouldn’t have talked to me either,” Jinx said, “if we hadn’t had business to take care of. Even

then she tried to get me to leave the ad in her mailbox for her.”

“What ad?” Amy and Reenie asked simultaneously.
“For the grand opening of the B&B. I insisted I had to go over it with her in person.” She looked at

her two friends. “I’m here to tell you she looks like hell. The place has really turned out great, but
you’d think she was preparing for a funeral rather than a grand opening.”

“What do you mean?” Reenie demanded.
“She looked like someone had just died. She’s pale as a ghost. I could barely coax more than a yes

or no out of her, let alone a smile. And she couldn’t get rid of me fast enough.”

“It’s been three weeks,” Reenie reminded them. “She hasn’t even been in town in all that time.”
“I know you got Matt to send one of the hands over to help her finish getting the place ready to

open. He’s apparently been doing her errands.” Amy looked at her sister-in-law for confirmation.
“That was very nice of you.”

“Lord, Amy. I felt so guilty, I had to do something. She sent him back the first time.” Reenie tasted

her tea and then added another packet of sweetener. “Matt had to go over there himself and
practically force her to let the guy work. He said she looks like shit.”

“Why should you feel guilty, Jinx? I’m the one who made the scene. Not that the bastard didn’t

have it coming.” She took a swallow of her coffee. “I guess I didn’t stop to think about Georgie, or
whatever else might be happening or anything. Oh, God.” She massaged her temples with her fingers.
“Crap, crap, crap. What a friggin’ mess.”

“I know you wanted your pound of flesh, and I can certainly sympathize with you,” Jinx pointed out

in a soft voice. “But you’re right. You didn’t stop to think. Georgie’s not the bastard here and she got
caught in the crossfire.”

“I was just so shocked to see him sitting there with her like a normal decent human being. With

Georgie. Our new friend. And after we told her what a piece of crap he is. You’d think she would at
least have asked us.”

“You don’t know what happened after Ed threw him out.” Reenie stirred her coffee. “What choices

he had. How he got to her. What he told her. Or even what happened after that. And from just the little
time any of us have spent with her or talked to her on the phone, she doesn’t seem like the stupid or
gullible type to me.”

“In fact, she mentioned that she’d had some bad luck before she moved here,” Jinx added. “I’d

think that would make her more cautious. Not easily snowed. So whatever he did to convince her to
hire him—”

Jinx sighed. “I got the feeling she wasn’t just upset about losing a handyman or about the scene you

made, Amy. She seems to have real feelings for Cade. And she may be what’s been helping him
straighten up and fly right.”

Amy’s jaw dropped. “Feelings? For Cade? Holy shit.”
“Stranger things have happened,” Reenie reminded her.
“I understand you have all this latent hostility about him built up,” Jinx said, “but damn, Amy, that

was two years ago. More actually. And you sure made it sound a lot worse than it was.”

“Matt said the guy was always a real asshole,” Reenie added, “but he doesn’t remember him ever

beating up on women. And were those females in that bar really naked with him? In public?”

“No.” Amy shook her head. “And while he loved to throw his weight around, that incident at the

post office wouldn’t have gotten that bad. Even if Buck hadn’t come along.”

“So what got into you?” Jinx asked.
“Yeah,” Reenie chimed in. “I’ve never seen you lose it like that before. Go off on anyone that way.

And exaggerate the way you did. That makes it even worse. That’s just not you.”

“I know, I know. I guess I’ve been saving it all up since the confrontation at the post office. I

wanted him to be embarrassed and humiliated the way I was.”

“Amy, don’t you realize he already has been? He lost everything. His so-called friends have

kicked him to the curb. Ed Ramsey was the only person to even give him the time of day.”

“But—”
“No buts,” Reenie said. “I’ve never seen you behave like that. Ever. Your husband had some

skeletons in his closet. If he hadn’t chosen to get his act together, he might have been in the proverbial
gutter too.”

“That’s different,” Amy tried to insist.
“No, it’s not. And look how destructive that one act in the restaurant has turned out to be.”
“Georgie was with him,” Jinx pointed out. “She had to witness the whole thing. How do you think

she feels? What do you suppose is going through her mind right now? Not just about Cade, but about
you as a person. If you wanted to warn her again, why didn’t you just ignore him and go see her
privately? I know you usually don’t give a rat’s ass about stuff, but this is way beyond anything
you’ve ever done.”

“Your brother would have kicked your butt,” Reenie told her.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I guess I just saw him with Georgie, acting like his life was now hunky dory

again, and I saw red. I wanted him to pay, and keep paying, for everything he did to me.” She raked
her fingers through her hair. “I guess I was a little extreme. But I wanted to make sure she knew what
she was getting into. And get in his face so he’d know I wasn’t going to let him play house with one of
my friends. If that was what was going on.”

“No,” Jinx corrected. “Like I said before, you wanted revenge for what happened between the two

of you. Only you went about it the wrong way. I know he hurt and embarrassed you, but come on.
You’re better than that. You didn’t need to act like such a shrew. And in public.”

“She’s right,” Reenie agreed. “Matt told me when he looked around at the B&B it was obvious

Cade must have worked his ass off at Georgie’s. He got the yard all cleaned up and ready for
landscaping. He scraped and painted the entire outside of the house. And when Matt checked the ratty
apartment in the barn Georgie had given Cade to use, there was no evidence of booze or anything
else. He said the guy must have been working his ass off from dawn to dusk every day.”

“I saw that too,” Jinx said.
“Cade Hannigan?” Amy’s eyebrows lifted. “Are we talking about the same man? I can’t wrap my

mind around the fact he actually might be turning into a different person.”

“People can change,” Jinx pointed out. “Maybe none of us thought Cade would, but just maybe

when Ed threw him out and no one would give him a lifeline he had an epiphany.” She shrugged. “It’s
happened to people worse off than him.”

Amy dropped her head into her hands. “Okay, okay, okay. I hear you. I’m sorry for the scene. Sorry

for being a bitch, especially in public. Sorry for everything.” She looked up at her friends. “And you
know what? It didn’t make me feel one bit better the way I thought it would. I was so sure if I ever got
the chance to take a strip off his hide I’d do it with great satisfaction and feel as if I’d gotten back at
him. But that didn’t happen. And now everything’s just in a big mess.”

“As long as you realize how destructive that little scene was,” Jinx told her, “we can try to move

on from there.”

“We should go to Georgie’s and make her listen to us,” Amy said. “Try to make her understand that

scene really wasn’t what I’m really like.” She twisted her lips in a grimace. “And I suppose try to
accept the fact that even the devil can clean up his act.”

Reenie cocked an eyebrow. “Us? We’re your friends, Amy. You know we’re here for you, but this

is really your mess to clean up. You’re the one who needs to talk to Georgie.”

“I’m not sure if she’ll even open the door to me.”
“Like I said earlier, she’s getting ready for her grand opening.” Jinx reached into her purse and

pulled out an ad proof. “Look. It’s in two weeks. She’s running the ad in this week’s paper and next,
and I helped her get a listing in the national directory. The chamber’s going to do a ribbon cutting. I
even arranged some television coverage from the stations in San Antonio. I think she’ll have a big
crowd.”

“She must be excited about that, at least.”
Jinx shook her head. “I think if she didn’t have so much money invested she’d just call the whole

thing off. Maybe even sell the place.” She smiled at her friend. “I think she’s really in love with him.
Like I said before, she had some bad stuff happen to her before she got here and maybe the two of
them made a connection because of that. But for what it’s worth, I don’t think she’d feel the way she
does about someone who hadn’t changed a whole lot from what he was.”

Amy threw up her hands. “So what can we do? No, wait. Not us. Me. I need to fix this.” She made

a face. “God, it’s going to kill me to do this. If we can get him to come back, I’ll have to look at him
around here for the rest of my life.”

“So what?” Reenie demanded. “You’re so over him. You have an incredible husband who

worships the ground you walk on. Can’t you finally let go of the past? Think about someone besides
yourself here?”

“I guess.” Amy sighed.
“Do we even know where he is?” Jinx asked.
“Yes.” It was Reenie who answered. “Matt ran into the owner of the Silver Spur at an auction. He

saw Cade loading horses in a trailer and asked the guy about it. Said the owner told him Cade came
to see him, convinced the guy he’d cleaned up his act. He asked for a job, any job, said he didn’t care
how dirty it was.”

“And?” Jinx prompted. “Apparently that’s working out or he wouldn’t have been at the auction.”
“The owner told Matt he didn’t believe him at first. But, big shocker here, Cade really seems to

have changed. Works all day and then sleeps in the bunkhouse at night. Never goes anywhere. Hasn’t
touched a drop of any kind of booze. The other hands said Cade works twice as hard as any of them
all day.”

“Well, there you go,” Jinx said.
Amy frowned. “I guess that makes my hissy fit even worse.”
Reenie laughed. “Honey, that was a whole lot more than a hissy fit.”
“It just kills me to admit I don’t want him to redeem himself.” Amy twisted her lips in a petulant

grimace. “I want him to lose everything and be lying in the gutter. Crap. That sounds really awful.”

“Yes, it does,” Jinx agreed. “And in case you didn’t notice, that already happened to him.”
“What does Buck have to say about all this?” Reenie wanted to know. “I’m sure he’s got his own

opinion.”

“He does.” Amy stared down at her empty cup. “I thought he’d sympathize with me. He saw how

Cade acted toward me, not once but twice. But he reminded me how much he loves me and of
everything we have together. That he had a past to live down too, and how he nearly ended up in
prison because of lies people told. He said it’s time for me to get beyond this.” She sighed. “I hate to
admit it, but he’s right. Listening to him and to both of you, I guess I don’t much like myself right
now.”

“Then you need to fess up to the people involved,” Reenie told her.
“All right, all right. If I plan to fix this, or try to, and repair my fledgling friendship with Georgie, I

have to go see her first.”

“Want us to go with you?”
“No. Unpleasant as it is, I need to do this myself.” She looked at her watch. “It’s not too late to get

over there today. Then I can go home and have Buck tell me what a wonderful person I am and make
love to me all night long.”

Reenie laughed. “Always a good cure for anything.”


“I don’t think we have anything to say to each other.”
Georgie stood in the open doorway, glaring at Amy, obviously not about to issue an invitation to

come inside.

Jinx was right, Amy thought. She looks like hell.
“The place looks really nice,” she told her, hoping to soften her a little or bring a smile to her face.
“Thank you. Matt was kind enough to send one of his hands to help me finish up, but Cade actually

did most of the outside work. The hard work.” She stressed the word hard.

“He, um, did a nice job.”
“Amy, I’m really very busy. I don’t want to shut the door in your face, but I will if I have to.” She

brushed a stray hair back from her face. “Look. I understand you and Cade have a bad history. He told
me all about it when he came to work here. But no matter how rotten he was, I don’t believe he was
as extreme as you made him out to be. He’s not—”

“You’re right.” Amy held up a hand. “I’ve been waiting a long time to make him pay for the way he

treated me. I wanted him to stay in the gutter where he’d fallen. And I was upset to see him with you,
someone I hoped was going to be my friend.”

Georgie leaned against the doorjamb. “We really don’t know each other at all, but I want you to

understand I’m neither stupid nor gullible. The school of hard knocks wipes that out of you. And I’d
have liked to think you’d have enough respect for me to at least call me over privately and ask me
about the situation.”

“I know.” Amy felt heat rush along her cheeks. “And I’m sorry. I could stand here all day and try to

make excuses, but the truth is I never should have done it. That’s not really me. I’m very sorry this
happened, Georgie. Reenie and Jinx and I are all coming to the open house and spreading the word.
We want you to make a success of this place. Really.”

“Somehow it doesn’t seem quite as exciting as it did before, but thank you. I guess. Now if you

don’t mind, I have things to do.”

This time Georgie really did close the door.
Amy sighed and trudged back to her truck. Her next stop was going to be a lot harder, but she

hoped she’d have better luck.

Cade was doing one of his least favorite jobs, shoveling manure out of the stalls so he could put

down fresh hay, when he heard one of the other hands call his name.

“Hey, Hannigan. Someone here to see you.”
He stuck the pitchfork in a pile of hay, pulled off his gloves and walked out of the barn. And

stopped short. The last person he expected to ever see again, Amy Stark Montgomery, was standing
by the corral. Even stranger, she had a very uncertain look about her. He’d never seen Amy look
uncertain about anything.

All the anger he’d been feeling since that day at the Bit and Bite came rushing back, and he had to

force it back down inside of him. Getting mad wasn’t going to do any good. Amy might have
exaggerated—a lot—but he couldn’t say she was completely wrong.

Schooling his features into an expressionless mask, he came to a stop about six feet from her.
“Aren’t you a little lost, Mrs. Montgomery? A little far from home?”
Her mouth curved in a sad attempt at a smile. “Mrs. Montgomery? Aren’t we on a first name basis

anymore?”

“I don’t think we’re on any basis. You made your opinion perfectly clear the other day, so I can’t

see that we have anything to talk about. I don’t know why you’re here, but you wasted a trip.”

He couldn’t even blame her for ruining his life, because he’d done that all by himself. His mistake

was thinking people could see the effort he was making and get past it. What hurt him the most was its
spillover onto Georgie.

Georgie.
Every time he thought of her, a pain stabbed his heart. They’d had something so special going.

Something they were both almost afraid to acknowledge. But it had been there. And for him probably
always would be.

“I’ve been angry at you for a long time,” she told him.
He snorted. “Tell me something I don’t know. But to be fair, you had every right to be.”
“I took great satisfaction in seeing you lying in the gutter, Cade.”
“I’ve had a lot of time lately to look back at how I lived my life, and I don’t much like what I see.

I’m sorry for the way I behaved with you. If you came for an apology, you’ve got it. Now you can
leave.” He turned to walk back into the barn.

“No, no, no. Wait,” she called. “Please.”
Against his better judgment, he stopped and turned around. “What? Make it fast. I have work to

do.”

“I understand you’ve been working very hard. Not drinking or anything.”
“Yeah. Pin a medal on me.”
“I was wrong, Cade. I never should have made that scene. I’m…sorry for what I said, for the lies I

told. And I’m sorry that Georgie got caught in it.” Her next words came out in a rush. “I was just so
angry—” She shook her head. “Forget that. Buck told me I need to let go of all that rage, and he’s
right.” Her laugh was slightly manic. “He actually said I should thank you. If we hadn’t broken up, I
wouldn’t have been in a position to be with him.”

Bitterness flooded him. “Glad I could be of some help. Now you really need to leave.”
“But Georgie—”
Anger rose in him, quick and hot. “Leave Georgie out of this. Don’t even say her name.”
“She needs you, Cade. I really think she loves you. And apparently you need her too.” She looked

down at her feet, pushing her toe at the loose gravel.

Cade ground his teeth. Why wouldn’t she go away?
“Well, you made damn sure she and the entire town know I’m not good enough for her. Did I

deserve it? Absolutely. But Georgie didn’t. The damage is done, so get in your truck and head on
home.”

“I… She… That is, I guess you’re good for each other.”
“She’ll find someone else. Someone more acceptable to all of you.”
“Please,” Amy said again. “Just listen. I’m trying to make this right and it isn’t easy for me. Her

grand opening is a week from Sunday. I know how much it would mean to her if you were there.” She
looked down at her feet. “We’ll all be there too. To make sure everything goes, you know, smoothly.
And show our support.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. Are you done?”
“Oh, Cade.” She wrung her hands. “I’ve made such a mess out of this. Buck told me how hard

you’ve been working and Jinx said Georgie gave her an earful. Not all of us can get second chances,
but it seems you did and you’re not wasting it. So if you’re really the man people tell me you are now,
if Georgie really means something to you, then a week from Sunday get yourself cleaned up and go to

her grand opening. I promise she wants you there.”

He stared at her for a long time. “I’ll think about it.”
Then he turned and walked back to the barn, images of Georgie dancing in his brain and emotions

swamping him until he felt he might choke.

Georgie looked around at the people swarming everywhere. Thank goodness, the weather had

turned really nice so she was able to utilize the yard. Every picnic table the caterer had brought was
filled with people laughing and talking. More crowds were walking through the rooms of the Butterfly
B&B. She’d chosen the name when Cade was still here, thinking how significant it was since she,
Cade and the house were all emerging from a chrysalis as brand new butterflies.

Cade.
Unconsciously, she rubbed her heart when she thought of him. The ache hadn’t diminished. Not

even a little. She knew Amy’s words had stung, but she wanted to tell him she didn’t believe the
woman. That the Cade Hannigan she knew was a lot better than that. Especially the new one. If only
he’d given her just five minutes.

The triumvirate, as she’d taken to calling them, had gone out of their way to make amends. Jinx had

refused to charge her for either the ad or the printing of the folders. Reenie had designed a gorgeous
web site and hooked her into a national network. She didn’t want money either, but Georgie had
insisted. And Amy had organized a telephone tree, reaching out to everyone in the Cattlemen’s
Association to show up today and bring their friends.

Several people had made reservations for family members for holiday weekends and her phone

had been ringing steadily since the web site had gone live. At least she didn’t have to worry if her
business was going to be a success. But it was a hollow victory without the man she loved to share it
with.

Yes, loved. She’d finally said the words out loud to herself. If only she’d found a way to tell him

before everything had gone to hell.

Sighing, she took advantage of a lull in questions to head for the kitchen and get a glass of iced tea

and a few minutes alone. As she opened a cupboard door to reach for a glass, a hard wall of male
chest pressed against her back and a familiar hand closed over hers.

“I’ll get it for you.”
The familiar low, deep voice made her shiver. She turned and found herself pressed so closely to

another body that she felt everything from the buttons on his shirt to the zipper on his fly.

“C-Cade?”
One corner of his mouth quirked up in a half smile. “Have I been gone so long you forgot what I

look like? Out of sight, out of mind?”

Her breath came out in a whoosh. “As if.” She studied his face. “I hear you’re doing good at the

Silver Spur.”

“Yeah? And who told you that?”
“Amy and Buck. They both came to see me.”
He gave a short laugh. “I’ll bet that was some visit.”
“Not so much. I wouldn’t let them in the house. Not even when Amy apologized over and over.”

She touched his cheek with a hand not quite steady. “You know what bothered me the most?”

“What?”
“That you wouldn’t stop and let us talk it through. I don’t care what those people think. Or anyone

else in the county. I told you I’d even be happy to move someplace else.”

He closed his fingers around her hand. “I didn’t want to put you in that position.” He looked

around. “Seems despite everything your grand opening is a success.”

“I have to tell you, those three women did everything possible to make up for the fiasco. Not that

anything can make up for what they did. What Amy did. But they’re trying.” She cocked her head.
“How did you know about today, anyway? What brought you here?”

“You won’t believe it, but Amy came to see me. If I didn’t know her better, I’d think she was

actually groveling. She gave me a lot to think about.”

She decided the B&B was aptly named because butterflies had taken roost in her stomach and their

wings were doing the quick step.

“And did you? Think about what she said?” She tried her best to keep the hopeful tone from her

voice.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “One thing I have to get out here. Amy may have overstated her case at the

restaurant, but she has plenty of reason to hate me.”

“W-We talked about that,” she reminded him. “All of that’s in the past. This was supposed to be us

going forward. Together.”

He cradled her cheeks in his hands.
“She also told me you love me. Is she right, Georgie? Do you?”
“I do. I can’t hide it, I guess. B-But what about you? How do you feel?”
“The same.” A wealth of emotion danced in his dark-chocolate eyes. “I guess I had to admit it to

myself before I could say it to you. I love you, Georgie. Not just for giving me a chance at life, but
also at love. Do you think we can start over again?”

“No, I don’t.” She saw hurt flash across his face. “I think we should go forward from here.” She

waved at the throngs of people laughing and drinking and talking. “The phone’s been ringing off the
hook too. It looks like I’m going to be pretty busy here, running this place.”

“Think you might have need of a handyman?”
She finally managed a smile. “Only if you’re the one who’s handy.”
“For you? Any time. All the time.”
He brought his mouth down to hers, his lips gently rubbing hers before his tongue delved inside.

Automatically, she lifted her arms and wound them around his neck. Passion shot through her, and
with it, an emotional firestorm that consumed her. Everything around them faded away as he
plundered her mouth and his warm hands held her tightly to his body.

When at last he lifted his head, leaving her lips swollen and her mind dazed, she realized noise of

some kind surrounded them. Cade was the first to look, his arms tightening around her. But then his
mouth curved in a tentative smile as he saw what was happening. The kitchen was filled with people
all smiling and clapping.

And standing in front of them all was Amy, her big husband’s arms around her, her hand raised in a

thumbs-up gesture.

“I guess I need to get back to business,” Georgie told him, breathless.
“You do,” he agreed. “And later we’ll attend to our own private business. Count on it.”
“I do.” She grinned. “And on you too.”

About the Author

Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in

the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy-metal rock bands.
For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her,
many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories. She is twice a finalist for an
EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first
5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award for
best BDSM book of the year, winner of two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit, and is published by
five different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica
author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”

You can find her at

www.desireeholt.com

and

www.desiremeonly.com

.

Look for these titles by Desiree Holt

Now Available:

Naked Cowboys

Stark Naked

Buck Naked

Stripped Naked

Coming Soon:

Naked Desire

She didn’t shoot the sheriff…but she’d sure like to strip him down.

Stripped Naked

© 2014 Desiree Holt

Naked Cowboys, Book 3
Taking over as publisher of The Hill Country Herald was supposed to help Jinx Malone put her

personal and professional disasters in New York behind her. Instead, she’s barely settled at her desk
when news of a murder hits the police scanner.

Who knew Rowan County could be this exciting? And who knew her first story would bring her

into head-butting, hormone-pumping contact with something that’s an even bigger pain in her ass than
a cheating ex—a know-it-all cop?

Sheriff Dillon Cross thought retreating to Rowan Country would help him get over a bad case of

burnout. But only a few weeks into his job, he’s standing over a dead body in a ditch, arguing with his
least favorite thing: a sexy, in-your-face reporter.

Before they’re through buzzing around each other like angry hornets, the last thing either expected

happens. They’re in bed, burning up the sheets. But is it a new beginning, or just a bad rerun of past
mistakes?

Warning: This book contains a nekkid cowboy and enough graphic sex to singe your eye balls.

Cool compresses recommended.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Stripped Naked:

The new sheriff’s SUV as well as two deputy cars were parked at angles, blocking one lane. Neil

Guthrie and another deputy were doing their best to direct traffic around the mess and desperately
trying to move along the people who wanted to stop and stare.

Orange cones marked off the area where the body had been found and yellow crime-scene tape

was strung as a barricade. The body itself was barely visible, mostly concealed by the people
surrounding it. She recognized Ric Nevada crouched down with what she assumed to be his crime-
scene kit open next to him. On the other side of him, she spotted Don Obregon, a doctor who doubled
as the head of the family clinic that served the county and the medical examiner if and when they
needed one.

But it was the man standing behind Ric who caught her attention. She guessed his height at six feet.

His broad shoulders strained at the seams of the sport jacket he wore with an open-collared shirt and
jeans that clung to long legs that ended in western boots. She’d heard the new sheriff didn’t like
wearing the tan uniform that came with the office.

“Informed the commissioner that people should respect the law no matter what he wore,” her father

had told her.

Jinx guessed he was right. His presence fairly shimmered with a quiet air of obvious authority and

control.

Just as she reached the scene, he turned in her direction and a shock sizzled through her as if

electrodes had been attached to her skin. Everything in her body tightened and throbbed and unwanted
heat warmed her skin. Instantly, her nipples hardened and her thong became soaked, her body
responding to the sight of him with an unexpectedly visceral reaction.

Holy shit!
After the disaster with Max she had so sworn off men, especially hot ones like this one. So why

didn’t her body get the message?

His gaze connected with hers and heat flared in his eyes for a quick second. Apparently the same

electricity had zapped him too. Then the professional mask was back in place. He placed his hands on
his hips, which brushed back the lapels of the jacket just enough for her to catch a glimpse of the gun
he wore in a shoulder holster.

“Sorry.” His voice was deep and slightly raspy. “This is a restricted area. My deputies should

have stopped you from coming so close.”

She swallowed, hard, and hoped her reaction to him didn’t show.
“Your deputies know who I am.” She held out her hand. “Jinx Malone. I’m the publisher of The

Hill Country Herald. I believe you met my father when you first arrived in town.”

“Sheriff Dillon Cross.” He shook hands briefly. “Yes, I did. I thought he ran the paper.”
“Only until this morning.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s right. I think he mentioned he was thinking of retiring.”
“Well, that’s what he did. Gave me the keys and took off with my mother in their camper for parts

unknown.”

“Just like that?” The sheriff frowned. “It’s really none of my business, but shouldn’t you know

something about running a paper before taking it over?”

What a smartass.
“I know a lot about it,” she snapped. “I grew up with that newspaper and I’ve spent ten years in

New York learning even more. I assure you, the Herald is in good hands. And you’re right, it isn’t
any of your business. As long as I get the facts right you have nothing to complain about.”

Holy cow, Jinx! Back off a little. Why are you letting this guy push your buttons?
Maybe because I had instant lust the minute I saw him? I can’t afford that. Not now. Not again.

Not ever.

“Glad to hear it.” She watched his eyes as he took note of the way she was crowding the tape

roping off the area. “I’m sure in New York you also learned you can’t go tramping around crime
scenes.”

Jinx pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. It wouldn’t do any good to get this man angry at

her right off the bat. The publisher of the newspaper was supposed to cultivate goodwill with the
locals, not tromp all over it. She’d have to get back to the less-than-frantic ambience of the area all
over again.

“You’re right. And I’m not—what did you call it?—tramping around your crime scene.” She tried

on a smile. “Just trying to get the facts to report them to my readers. I, um, had them hold the paper so
I could get this on the front page of this week’s edition.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I don’t much care for reporters.”
She wanted to smack him. “Well, we should get along just fine since I don’t much care for cops.”
“Fine.” He ground out the word between clenched teeth.
“Fine.” She could be as abrupt as he was. “I’m so glad we understand each other.”
For a long moment he said nothing, just studied her as if she were an alien who had suddenly

appeared from outer space. Then he glanced at the three-ring circus taking place along the roadside
with the same frown of annoyance.

“Don’t people have anything else to do around here?”
She took in the scene again and couldn’t hold back the laugh. “They’re just curious. You’ll have to

get used to it if you plan on staying around. This is the biggest thing to happen around here in the last
century.”

“They can be all the curious they want,” he told her, “as long as they don’t get in my way and mess

things up.”

She tilted her head, giving him a quizzical look. “Is that meant for me too?”

Two weeks on a beach can deepen more than just their tans.

Texas Fandango

© 2014 Cynthia D’Alba

Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 3
KC Montgomery was eleven when she met the love of her life. Of course, seventeen-year-old

Drake Gentry didn’t know she existed, but that didn’t stop her girlish fantasies from growing and
changing over the years.

Now, after enjoying a front-row seat to his breakup with his latest girlfriend, she’s been handed an

all-grown-up fantasy come true—two weeks at the Sand Castle Resort. With him.

Drake most definitely noticed KC a long time ago, but the timing’s never been right. Now that he’s

facing a lonely vacation that was supposed to be for two, it seems only natural to accept KC’s offer to
fill in. And as far as her terms go… No strings. No expectations. No holds barred. Drake is no fool—
he’s all over it.

But once they’re back in Texas there are invisible strings still hanging between them. Strings

labeled attraction, affection…even love. And the more they try to untangle the knots, the tighter
they’re bound together.

Warning: Beware of sunburns, whirlpool sex and sand in delicate places.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Texas Fandango:

This woman…this beautiful woman had a thing for him?
His circulatory system shunted all his blood to his groin, which swelled with interest and desire.
“Drake? What are you doing here?” she repeated.
For an additional second, he reconsidered why he’d come. What if Leo had been wrong? Crap.

What if he made a total fool of himself?

He cleared his throat. “Do you have a minute? I thought we could talk.”
She picked up the wiggling dog and cocked her head. “About what? You pretty much made your

position clear at Leo’s.”

He walked down the porch steps to where she stood on her walkway. “Yeah, about that. I need to

apologize.” He tapped the side of his head. “Brain fog.”

“Great,” she said with fake enthusiasm. “Apology accepted.” She swept past him and climbed onto

her porch.

“Wait.” He followed her. “What’s his name?” he asked, stroking her dog’s head.
The puppy squirmed in her arms. Drake leaned over and the animal licked his nose.
“Her name is Killer,” KC said.
“Can I?” Drake held out his hands to take the puppy.
KC passed her over.
“Killer? Why, this little lady doesn’t look like a killer.” He nuzzled the dog’s fur. The puppy

darted her pink tongue out and tickled his face with tiny licks.

“You’re just lucky I don’t give the command to kill. She’d rip your lips right off your face.”
He chuckled. “You mean lick my lips right off my face, right?”
She sighed and opened her door. “C’mon in, I guess. If you insist.”

Killer—Drake had serious doubts that was the dog’s real name—and he followed KC into the

house. They stood in the foyer as she unclipped the dog’s leash.

“You don’t have to hold her. She’s done her business outside so she can run around.”
He set the tiny bundle on the floor. “What breed is she?”
“Yorkie. She turned six months old last week. Want something to drink?”
“Just water. I’ve had my beer quota for today.” They turned to the right and he followed her into a

large, bright kitchen.

“I haven’t.” She pulled a bottle of beer and a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“Nice place,” he said, taking the water and allowing his gaze to roam. The hardwood floor from

the entry continued here. The dark gold and black granite countertops were set off by the glossy white
of the cabinets. The black appliances complimented the black swirl in the granite.

The area behind the sink opened up on the dining room just beyond it. Through that large opening,

there was an expansive view of a golf fairway.

She shrugged at his comment. “Let’s go to the living room and you can tell me really why you’re

here.”

He followed her through the adjacent dining room and then down three steps to a sunken living

room. The room had a back circular wall comprised completely of glass, providing the view of the
golf course he’d admired from the kitchen. He realized that the sunken room kept the incredible view
available to anyone in the kitchen or the dining room.

She dropped into a plush off-white leather recliner. Killer—that just couldn’t be this dog’s name—

followed them, her nails clicking faintly on the hardwood. As soon as KC sat, the puppy stood on her
hind legs to be picked up, which KC did. She stroked the dog’s head, sat back and waited.

A large, butter-yellow overstuffed leather sofa beckoned to him. He sat and took a large gulp of

water. First to dilute the beer floating around in his gut. Second, to put some moisture in his mouth
and down his throat, both of which had turned to dust the minute he saw KC standing on her walk.
And third, to buy him some time as he tried to find the words he wanted to say.

KC waved her hand in a get-on-with-it gesture. He nodded.
“Leo said—”
“Oh God. Leo sent you here?” she snarled. “I’m going to kill him.”
“Don’t kill him yet. He sort of knocked me upside the head and rattled my brain enough that what

you said this afternoon finally sank through my thick skull. You really want to go with me to the Sand
Castle?”

She dropped her head against the headrest. “Great. Just freaking great. You have rattled brains, and

because of that you’ve come to see me.”

He laughed. “Not exactly.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. His movement caught the

attention of the puppy, who jumped down and ran over to him. The ball of furry energy danced around
his feet and Drake picked her up. If she weighed a pound, he’d be shocked. The puppy wiggled and
climbed up to his face, again smearing it with her puppy tongue.

“Traitor,” KC said.
“Me or Killer? And what is her name? It isn’t Killer.” He nuzzled his nose on the puppy’s head.

“This baby isn’t a killer of anything.”

“Ha! You haven’t seen the heel of my leather boot.”
He grinned.

“Her name is Jasmine. I call her Jazz.”
At the mention of her name, the puppy’s head snapped toward her owner and she immediately

began struggling to get down. Drake set Jazz on the floor and she scurried to KC, who shook her head
and picked her up.

“She’s rotten,” she said, but there was no fire behind her words.
Drake leaned back on the sofa and crossed an ankle over a knee. “Okay, as I was saying, do you

want to go with me on vacation? You sort of caught me off-guard this afternoon, and I’m sorry for
being so slow on the uptake. I’d love for you to come with me.” He drained the remaining water and
set the empty bottle on the side table. “But you need to know that I reserved a one-bedroom suite. I’ll
sleep on the couch, you don’t have to worry. You can have the bed.”

KC set the puppy down and leaned forward. “You’re asking me to go with you on vacation?”
“Yep. My treat.”
“And you’re not going to make me sleep with you?”
He shrugged and made himself maintain eye contact when what he wanted to do was look

anywhere but at her. Damn. Her voice was a little tight and high with that last question. Now what
had he done wrong? He didn’t think he’d ever understand women.

“Right.” He dragged the word out. “No obligation.”
She drained her beer. The empty bottle dangled from the tips of her fingers. The side of her cheek

sucked as she rolled it between her teeth.

“So no sex. That’s what you’re saying? I just want to make sure there are no misunderstandings this

time.”

He nodded. “Sure.”
She echoed his nod and then set her bottle on the floor. “Well then, in that case, no.”
His head popped back. “What?”
Leaning toward him, she said, “No sex, no trip.”
This time, he swallowed hard. Crossed and uncrossed his legs. Adjusted his position on the sofa.

“Explain exactly what you’re saying. Use small words and short sentences. I don’t think my mind is
hearing correctly this afternoon.”

“Here’s the deal, Doc. I want a vacation with the five S’s. Sand. Surf. Sun. Spa. And sex.” She

leaned back in her chair. “And not necessarily in that order.”

“So you want to sleep with me?”
“I want a two-week torrid, scorching-hot affair. No holds barred. Then, we walk away. No harm.

No foul. Those are my terms.” She stared into his eyes. “Take it or leave it.”

Bare Naked

Desiree Holt

She’s burned out and he’s down and out, but together they might light up the night.

Naked Cowboys, Book 4
Georgie Zielinski’s success in the hospitality industry comes to an abrupt end when her new boss

says she needs to put out or get out. So Georgie gets out, investing her savings and 401k in a
dilapidated B&B in Saddle Wells, Texas. Hiring help isn’t high on her to-do list, but when a rough-
around-the-edges cowboy offers his handyman services, she listens to her gut and takes him on.

Cade Hannigan would eat humble pie all day if he could afford it. The silver spoon he was born

with is tarnished and he’s down to the clothes on his back, a beat-up truck and a reputation so bad no
one in three counties will hire him. Except a newcomer like Georgie.

As they work to bring the old B&B back to life, Georgie and Cade’s connection explodes into a

wild ride of passion. But when Cade’s past comes back to slap him in the face, their chance to be
together starts to disappear like smoke.

Warning: Contains a bad boy hammering out a new future, a good girl not afraid to get a little dirty

—okay a lot dirty—and and a whole new definition for “sweat equity”.

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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used

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Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

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Bare Naked

Copyright © 2014 by Desiree Holt

ISBN: 978-1-61922-185-7

Edited by Heidi Moore

Cover by Angela Waters

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Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

electronic publication: June 2014

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