Never Let You Go

“Well, are you going to introduce me as Beth Kennedy, wealthy woman, looking to be parted from her money?” She gave him a winsome smile, as if she’d made a joke.

“Hell, no. Why would I do that?”

“Then how will he know who I am?”

Figuring he was losing his mind, hanging this close to Beth, smelling her, wanting to touch her, he suddenly backed away, releasing her from his improvised jail. “He’ll know you’re the one I’m buying the horse for.”

“So? I don’t go around in jewels and a tiara. He won’t know I have money.”

“He’ll know when he sees your check.” Word always got around when there was a chicken to be plucked.

“You write a check and then I’ll write you a check later. We could do that, couldn’t we? Oh!” She beamed at him and he held his breath. “I know. We’ll tell him I’m your girlfriend!”

Jed thought he was going to choke to death. He coughed several times to regain his breath, and Beth beat him on the back.

“Are you all right? What’s wrong?” she asked, her eyes wide with concern.

“Damn, woman! That’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard.” He backed up a couple of more steps. This time she came after him.

“Why?”

“Joe would never believe it.”

“You think I’m not pretty enough?”

Jed slumped against the opposite stable door, defeat filling him. He couldn’t lie to her. “You’re too pretty. Joe wouldn’t believe anyone like you would be interested in someone like me.”

Her eyelids lowered and she stepped to his side, one hand sliding up his chest. “Sure he would, sugar. I’m a good actress.” She was using the drawl that had fooled him this morning when she’d mentioned that blasted manicure.

He had to do something to get her away from him before he wrapped his arms around her and looked for the nearest pile of hay. “Okay, you can go. Ask Miss Abby if she needs us after lunch.”

Excitement filled her. But before she raced to the house to do as he said, she stretched herself against him and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Jed.”

Then she was gone.

“Lord have mercy, what have I gotten myself into?” he asked the horses in the barn.

None of them answered.

Already realizing Jed preferred silence to conversation, Beth tried to contain herself on the ride into Oklahoma and not ask any questions. That resolve lasted for almost half an hour. Then her excitement took over.

“How’d you learn about this horse?”

“I trained him.”

“For barrel racing?”

“No, as a cutting horse.”

He stared straight ahead at the road, never looking at her.

“How do you know he’ll make a good racer?”

“He’s fast.”

“Did you—”

“Do you ever stop asking questions?” He turned to glance at her, irritation on his face.

She grinned, refusing to be offended. “Nope.”

“Listen, he’s got strong haunches, he’s low to the ground, but he’s got a long stride, and he’s very intelligent.”

“Why didn’t you buy him? He sounds perfect. Was he too pricey?”

“Nope. He’s too small for a man my size. That’s why I think Joe will sell him. Joe’s a big man, too.”

She let her gaze wander his length, from the Stetson, past his broad shoulders to his long, hard thighs, down to his dusty boots. She drew a deep breath. She didn’t know how much more testosterone she could handle.

“He doesn’t have a wife to ride her?”

“Nope. He’s a widower, no children. He breeds quarter horses. Shorty doesn’t fit the mold, so Joe didn’t want him for breeding stock. He’s a gelding.”

She thought about what he said. “Then we ought to get him cheap.”

“He’s got good bloodlines.”

“But—”

“We’ll pay a good price, but it will be a fair one. Just don’t give away that you’re the real buyer.”

His clipped order wasn’t anything new, but it made Beth want to have him experience some of the discomfort she felt at his curt tone. Abby had pointed out to her more than once that her responses weren’t always wise ones.

“Then I’d better practice being your girlfriend,” she said as she undid her seat belt. Then she slid across the bench seat until her body was pressed against his right side.

He jerked the wheel in shock. “What the hell are you doing?” he snarled when he had the truck under control. “Get back to your side of the truck!”

“You’re not being very friendly, Jed,” she teased, glad to see he was capable of losing his iron control. “I won’t be able to convince Joe unless I’m used to touching you.” She lifted her left hand and settled it on his tense shoulder.

Apparently she’d gone too far. Jed yanked the wheel to the right as he stood on the brakes. Before Beth even realized his intent, he’d stopped on the side of the road.

Slamming the truck into Park, he reached for her without warning. His lips came down on hers, hard and demanding. Hot, controlling.

Beth, pressed against his chest, her breasts flattened, her eyes closed, resented his attempt to conquer. She knew that was all he intended. She even realized he wasn’t going to hurt her. Just conquer her.

But she was made of sterner stuff than Jed Davis realized. And she gave as good as she got. Her hands slid up his chest to riffle through his dark hair. Her mouth moved under his.

And the kiss changed.