Once A Ranger

Kat opened her mouth to say she was eating in her room, but then changed her mind. There really were good guys out there, and she couldn’t allow a few bad apples like Zach and Tony to color her perception of all men. She needed to broaden her horizons, change her way of thinking.

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Smiling, she closed the door and leaned against it for a moment. Maybe she could have a relationship with a nice guy like Will. Anything was possible, right?

She’d just returned to unpacking when there was another knock at her door. Kat was still smiling when she opened it. “Will—”

“Will I what?” Tony leaned in the doorway, his hands tucked in the front pockets of his jeans.

“I thought you were Will Sterling,” she snapped.

He raised an eyebrow. “It appears you’re recovered from your emotional outburst earlier.”

Kat’s hackles rose. He might as well have said she’d had an attack of the vapors. Or the ever-popular “female problems.”

“Yes, I’ve recovered.” She started to close the door, but he stopped it with his hand.

“I came to apologize. I shouldn’t have kissed you. It was…unacceptable that I acted on an impulse. I guess I didn’t realize you’d be so upset.”

Kat should have been relieved by his apology, but it simply made her angry. Why did the macho guys always think she was just waiting for their attention? Not that Tony was strictly macho. He was also confident, good-looking and charismatic. The kind of man who didn’t need a woman.

Frowning, he said, “I was out of line. I guess I got too caught up in the spirit of fun. I hope you’ll let me make it up to you later.”

“Not hardly. Why should I? You made me sound like a hysterical female.”

“Because you’re intrigued, even though you won’t admit it.”

He winked and walked away, whistling as he went.

CHAPTER THREE

TONY SHOOK HIS HEAD as he walked the perimeter of the buildings. Glancing around as if enjoying the desert landscaping, he located casita number eighteen, right next door to Kat. He’d overheard Will tell Lola his suite number as he’d pushed her on the swing.

Tony didn’t like Sterling being close to the mercurial Kat Monroe, but he doubted she was the con man’s mark. Too young, too sharp and not nearly as liquid in assets as beer heiresses Lola and Lorraine.

He nodded at a middle-aged couple strolling hand-in-hand in the opposite direction. After glancing over his shoulder to make sure they’d walked around the bend, he veered off the path and went behind the casitas to check egress. Yes, there was a glass Arcadia door leading to a private patio, bordered by a three-foot stucco wall. Several large windows also faced the back. If worse came to worst, Sterling’s suite could be accessed without much trouble.

Quickly returning to the path, Tony was relieved to find no one in sight.

He categorized the flora and fauna as he walked, noting many plants similar to those in Texas. A few minutes later, he came upon two large stucco buildings. One had a discreet bronze marker saying Art Studio, the second Athletic Facilities.

As he approached, he saw a familiar redhead jog around a curve in the path. Tony stepped off into a stand of brush so she wouldn’t see him.

When she entered the gym, he headed back to his casita by the most direct path, grateful he’d brought plenty of workout clothes.

What better time than now to check out the exercise facilities?

KAT STARTED TO SWEAT in the short run from her casita to the gym. The higher elevation made her work harder.

Good. She intended to sweat Zach and Tony right out of her system. Exercise had a habit of taking the edge off her anger, too. Hadn’t she sworn off drama for the duration of her trip? Hopefully, she would return home in two weeks reenergized, with a whole new attitude. She was so tired of being mad. And even worse, feeling like a victim.

The blast of air-conditioning was a welcome reprieve when she entered the gym. The large, open space was light and airy, with state-of-the-art equipment. Nothing shabby here, and enough variety for the average fitness enthusiast. Since the resort was small—around fifty casitas and rooms—she wondered if the owners used Phoenix Rising as a tax write-off. Though the rates were steep, it would still be difficult to turn a profit. Especially since Phoenix Rising hosted a camp for at-risk kids for a month during the off season.

Her breathing slowed as she checked out the white-board for class information. Tai chi might be relaxing, but Pilates was probably more in line with what she needed to keep her butt from sliding down her thighs.

“Hi, I’m Brooke.” A svelte blonde with rock-hard abs and toned biceps extended her hand. She looked to be all of twenty. “I’m the fitness instructor and also provide personal training.”

“I’m Kat.” She’d already established a workout that suited her, though the blonde would probably think it wimpy. “Looks like you’ve got a pretty good setup.”

“My mom and dad believe in a balanced lifestyle, and we try to provide that to our guests while they’re here.”

“Your mom and dad? Linda and Garth Fremont?”

“Yes. I’m working for them while I finish up my bachelor’s degree online.”

“Linda doesn’t look old enough to have a daughter your age.”

Brooke laughed, showing off straight white teeth and a dimple.

Kat wanted to hate her, but couldn’t.

“I’ll tell Mom you said that. It’ll make her day. Do you want me to show you around?”

“You have some of the machines and weights I’ve worked with at my neighborhood gym. I may touch base with you later, if that’s okay?”

“Absolutely. Enjoy your workout.”

“I will,” she murmured, trying not to notice that everything on Brooke was perky. Kat decided to spend a little extra time on her glutes today.

Inserting her earbuds, she lost herself in the routine of warming up on the treadmill, then moving on to the weight machines. She switched her music to a favorite heavy metal track as motivation. As Green Day’s latest hit energized her, she focused on her breathing and her reps.

When she opened her eyes several minutes later, she was startled to see Tony looming over her. He was every bit as ruggedly handsome upside down as right side up.

She reluctantly removed her ear buds. “How long have you been watching me?”

“Not long,” he drawled in a Tommy Lee Jones way, probably aware it was sexy as hell.

“You’re breaking my concentration.”

“Sorry.” He seemed anything but sorry as he handed her a sheet of paper. “Brooke asked me to give you this revised class schedule. She said the testosterone’s getting thick in the kickboxing class and she’d love for you to attend. I hear it really works the glutes.”

Kat couldn’t decipher his deadpan tone. Was that a lame come-on? Or was her butt genuinely that saggy? Then a truly horrifying thought occurred to her. What if he was drumming up business as a way to curry favor with the svelte Brooke?

He grinned, sauntering off.

Glaring daggers at his retreating back, Kat was determined about one thing. No kickboxing for her. Unless it meant kicking his ass…

AFTER SHOWERING AND shaving, Tony arrived at the dining room a few minutes late, a fact that irked him. He prided himself on being early.