Wild Ride: BBW Western Romance (Under Open Skies Saga Book 2) (5 page)

Hunter got in the truck and started it up. She roared to life with a push on the gas pedal, her echo coming back at her against the metal barn wall. Being so close to Hunter, in the cab of his truck, she could
n’
t help but wonder if he had ever made love in it.

Dammit, get it together.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, trying not to let him notice. He looked ahead but a smile spread wide over his face.

Do
n’
t let anyone else know your mind until you do.

He was clearly in possession of the advantage here. By the look on Hunte
r’
s face she could tell that he knew. That smirk said it all. And she wanted to wipe it off his face with a hot, wet kiss.

He backed up his pickup, changed gears and pressed on the gas as the truck lurched forward, up a gravel path that looked like it was no more than a hasty driveway. They climbed the hill, bounding and shifting with each bump and pothole in the makeshift path. Kat gripped the handle of the truck, trying to steady herself, but it was futile. One large pothole rocked her and she was thrown, flying across the cab. Right into Hunter.

She tried to scramble over to her side of the cabin. Maintain a safe distance from the one thing that made her feel exposed, stay safe. But he was too quick. He grabbed her tight and held her close to his side, steadying her every bounce.

“
Pro tip. When riding through rough terrain it is essential to stick with the most seasoned bull rider you can come across. I
t’
ll keep you saf
e
”

She was acutely aware of his arms as the words left his mouth.

Then why do
n’
t I feel very safe?

They stayed like that for at least a mile, maybe two, clinging to one another, her body being thrown, shifting. All while he kept his balance perfectly, holding her there next to him, an anchor in the rocking vehicle. Finally they hit a solid patch of real road, an area that forked and merged into a dirt road that felt like a grand expressway compared to the previous trail. She did
n’
t realize the complex was so large. This whole world was here and she did
n’
t even know what she had. It felt like it was beyond her. The past six months wore her down, and she felt too defeated to really get involved in the business. Until now. Until Hunter.

She leaned against his solid form and refused to move away even as the road leveled out. She felt a bit warm at the thought of his body against hers. Separated by only a few layers of clothing. Especially now that she knew what he felt like. Looked like.

“
You alright
?”
He asked, shifting in his seat, gripping the steering wheel just a little tighter.

She was
n’
t the only one affected.

“
Yeah.
I’
m fine. But
I’
d rather be safe than sorry
.
”

His free arm tightened around her, the smirk returning to his face. The lines between business and pleasure were definitely blurred.

That did
n’
t take long.

He drove the road like he had driven it a million times before. There was something there. A confidence she could
n’
t quite place. A knowing smile. A bit too much understanding.

Who was he?

She was still learning how to run everything, on a more professional level. But she could tell that he knew exactly what he was doing. Why had
n’
t he been picked up before? Surely her father knew of him before his death. Knew about his talents. He trained here, had a lot of his moves. Worked the area like it was his own. He knew it better than she did.

She may not have been as experienced, but it was
n’
t for lack of trying. She had interned with her father and been to the complex a few times, but other than the tours, she spent all of her time in the main office. Which was down with the equines.

“
It is almost five miles total between the Equine and Bull Riding Facility. We have some time. The men will be glad to see the new owner. Try to act like you know the area. Bonus points for any names you remember. Accurately, that is
.”
He was serious as he explained this to her, but it still stung.

Her blood boiled and she pushed away from him, trying to escape to the other side of the cab but he held tight. Hunter must have read her mood, because he responded to her body language.

“
Kat,
I’
m trying to help. You know yo
u’
re in need of some. Accept it
.”
Hunter pulled her closer and held her a bit tighter, even though the road had evened out.

She let it drop and they drove a couple of more miles in silence. He was right and she knew it. But it did
n’
t make it any less irritating. But why was he helping her? What was his motive? She would find out, she resolved, she just had to bide her time.

“
I know yo
u’
re helping.
I’
m sorry
.”
It grated against her ears, even as she said it.
 “I’
m just trying to get used to all of this. It is
n’
t exactly what I signed up for
.
”

She saw him try to hold back a smile at her irritation, but he failed.

“
If
I’
m going to work with you, you have to be in charge. Not Hank. Not any of the men who work for you. You. You are John Brook
s’
s daughter. Not some lady off the street. You were born into this business. It is yours
.
”

“
So are you going to join
?”
She asked. Kat should have waited, and she knew it, but her victory was so close she could taste it.

“
So long as you take over, take charge. Yes.
I’
ll work for you
.”
He let her have her victory, pretending not to notice as she grinned widely. She knew what he was about. What she did
n’
t know was why
.“
But you ca
n’
t let it fall out of your hands, you ca
n’
t manage from afar like you have been these past few months
.
”

She was quiet, savoring her victory, but he spoke up, his tone informative and not at all emotional like it was a moment ago.

“
The land on both sides belongs to you, by the way. I
t’
s part of a series of ranches you own. A lot of, well, those of us who are not being independently financed by our parents, work these ranches. Even the ones you sponsor. We do
n’
t like to be beholden to anybody, and if we can work for it, we will
.
”

“
What about you
?
”

“
I train here. I work here. But I do
n’
t, did
n’
t, want to be beholden to anyone.
I’
ve been working on them for a bit myself, getting paid, and using that to help pay for the training facility. But I work on the grounds too. It lets them feed their families, pay their rent when rodeos ai
n’
t winni
n’
the bread. Hank and John did us a solid. But latel
y
…
”
Hunter trailed off.

“
But lately what
?
”

“
Prices have been going up and wages have been going down. It does
n’
t bode well for the rider
s’
moods
.
”

“
I never signed off on that
.
”

“
Yeah, well. Who did
?”
He shrugged and before she could reply he continued
.“
It does
n’
t matter. The
y’
ll be polite, but do
n’
t expect friendly. And no. It was
n’
t Hank who signed that through, I already talked to him about it. Said it came from higher up
.
”

She was the higher up. Why would he say that? Apparently someone had been taking liberties. She made a mental note to start a chain of inquiries. She would personally see that it was reversed as soon as possible.

Hunter pulled into a long driveway on the left. She could see a building in the distance, it was well groomed with a nice landscaped look. It had to be the office. Beyond that were metal corrals, filled with practice bulls and riders.

There were men everywhere, this early in the morning her grounds were teaming with people moving about. Their day began long before anyone in a white collar. And it lasted longer. The contrast to the gentle morning she witnessed just minutes before was stark.

Hunter swung his truck right up to the office. No matter how hard she tried she could
n’
t help but look over at him, trying to catch glimpses of him when he was
n’
t looking.

“
Well, Rodeo Princess, you ready to meet your subjects
?
”

She rolled her eyes and pushed herself away from him one final time, using a great deal of her strength. Except there was no resistance. She flung herself across the cab and hit the door with the force of her push. His playful smile returned. That man was making her crazy and she was
n’
t sure if she wanted to fling herself into his arms and kiss him or punch him.

Kat straightened herself and refused to let him get a rise out of her. Opening her door, she slid out and jumped to the ground, her boots hitting the soft dirt. Her body bounced, each curve moving with her. It was same dirt her fathe
r’
s boots must have hit dozens of times. She felt the urge to straighten the hat that she was
n’
t wearing, just like he always did and march into that office.

Instead, she sucked in a breath.

“
So, my fearless leader, where first
?”
She stood just a little too close and breathed him in. It had the same intoxicating effect as it had last night. The same musky scent wafted up to her nose and sent surges down her body. Another reminder of last nigh
t’
s interlude. Damn olfactory nerves.

“
The office. Got someone here you need to meet
.
”

The men watched her. Their eyes were glued as she walked along the pathway. It was unsettling. They were oblivious to who she was, of course, she knew that. A beautiful woman swaying and moving as she walked, all they knew was that she was a distraction. But if they could
n’
t keep their eyes in the sockets, whose fault was that? Not hers.

She set her jaw as one of those distracted men met her eyes. He was older, early forties, a bit of gray grabbing at his temples and his goatee, but not a wrinkle in sight from her point of view. She felt the urge to inspect closer but stayed herself. She stopped following Hunter, her eyes locked on the salt and pepper hottie.

Damn, are they all hot?
Her thoughts were always getting herself in trouble. She was
n’
t sure what was happening with her and Hunter but the slightly silver fox sure had caught her eye.

Until he opened his mouth.

“
Daniels, you turn around and get that Buckle Bunny right back in that truck and out of here. I told you, no girlfriends. I thought I made that abundantly clear after what happened with that Jeffer
y’
s girl last summer. Get her out of here
.”
Foxy, as she dubbed him in her head, barked at Hunter. Such fire, he must be the one in charge.

He was pissed. But at that moment so was she. Buckle Bunny? Really?

“
Excuse m
e
…
”
She tried to interject, her tone giving him a clear understanding of her irritation.

“
Not now, honey.
I’
m sure you have a great story about why you need to be the exception bu
t
…”

Wow he gets more grating by the moment. Still ca
n’
t stop staring at his bicep
s
…

She cleared her throat and interrupted him
.“I’
m here because I own the place
.
”

“
You what
?”
He stopped and squinted at her.

“
Own it.
I’
m Kat Brooks
.”
She stood up straight and looked him right in the eye.

She had to fight the urge to giggle when she saw his face. He knew exactly who she was and what she meant. And he had put his foot in it. To his credit, he recovered quickly. He put a hand out for her to shake.

“
Wyatt, Wyatt Snow.
I’
m a friend of your da
d’
s
.”
He waited just a tad longer, so she shook his hand. It was strong. Firm. Another set of strong hands she wondered about. She tried to shake the thought but it was too late. Her lips got a bit of color and her face felt hot.

Hope no one notices.

She shot a sideways glance in Hunte
r’
s direction.

Shit.

He definitely noticed. His jaw was clenched and he was looking at Wyatt with the same intensity he had on his face when he was about to jump out of the gate on a bull. With no mercy. The tension emanating from him sent shivers down her spine.

“
I apologize, a woman causes distractions. A man trying to show off. It could cost a life
.”
He did
n’
t back down. She liked that in a man.

Hunter fidgeted next to her but did
n’
t say anything.

“
Sounds like your men need to control themselves a little better.
I’
m not in the business of slut-shaming, Mr. Snow
.”
She set her shoulders and met him toe to toe.

“
I do
n’
t disagree, but that does
n’
t make it a reality. I do
n’
t blame the women, I blame the men and their foolishness. Business is business, Ms. Brooks.
I’
m sure you would
n’
t want to sign that insurance report
.
”

“
You have me there. We can discuss gender politics another time. I just want to see my operation
.”
She smiled at him, turning off her calculated businesswoman approach and moving into a more relaxed gear.

“
Tha
t’
s fine, le
t’
s just get you into the office so that we can get you into something a little safer, if you are going to be around the bulls
.”
He kept his jaw hard but there was a twinkle in his eye as he walked towards the office.

Just as she started to follow Hunter grabbed her arm.

“
Give us a minute, will ya Wyatt
?”
Hunter asked, pulling her aside.

She humored him, trying to keep calm while his hand was on her. Being directed and controlled, it was
n’
t something that would win Hunter points. At least, not in this way.

“
What the hell do you think you are doing
?”
Hunter growled as he jerked her towards him and then let her go.

“
What do you mean
?”
She feigned innocence as she looked until into his eyes.

“
Ca
n’
t you see that I am standing right next to you while you throw yourself at my boss
?
”

“
I am your boss
.”
She crossed her arms and looked at him.

“
Yeah, right. Besides, Wyatt is like fifteen years older than you
.”
He was dismissive but the clouds in his eyes continued with their storm.

She could
n’
t help it, she had to bait him
.“
Who says
I’
m interested
?
”

“
Your whole body is saying it
,”
He growled. He was
n’
t disgusted, she realized. He was worried. Jealous.

“
Look, I do
n’
t know what you are trying to prove, that you are protective, or something. I dunno, some white knight? Let me explain something.
I’
m my own person, Hunter. I make my own decisions. Live my own life
.
”

Hunter grabbed her by the shoulders, swooping down and taking her lips hostage. His kiss was strong, his lips hard against her own, possessive. So different from the one last night. The one that left her wanting more.

He did
n’
t stop there, though. He forced her lips open and slid his tongue past her teeth. Damn, he felt good. She let herself get swept up in him, wrapping her own arms around his neck and leaning into his kiss.

He pushed her away just as abruptly
.
“

He stormed away from her and into the office. She could
n’
t help but watch his ass sway as he walked. Angry or not, the man was sexy. Hunter was autumn to Wyat
t’
s winter.

Kat followed him into that office. It was just Hunter and her standing in the main room. It was clean and organized, a file cabinet next to the desk, a row of jackets. She peeked into the adjoining room at a set of lockers that she assumed was filled with equipment. So Salt and Pepper was a neat freak. Contrary to what she thought, all men did
n’
t have the organization of her father.

“
Okay, so you need to wear a vest and a helmet if you are going to get within 50 feet of the practice bulls
,”
Wyat
t’
s voice echoed
,“
Insurance and whatnot, but you know this already, I am sure
.
”

Where is he?
Her mind was anywhere else, and she knew it was dangerous.

Craning her neck, Kat peaked around into that room with the lockers. She could
n’
t see him before but now she got a good look of his ass as he was bent over, head first between those metal walls reaching into the locker. The jean fabric was tight as he bent down, those cowboy jeans fitting just right.

“
You think you could sign a few documents for me while yo
u’
re here
?”
He asked, as he popped back up with a helmet and a safety vest
.“
I was going to send them over, but since yo
u’
re here. I figure, it might be a good time to get it out of the way
.
”

He may have aged out of riding condition, but damn was he still in shape. She bit her lip as she watched that tight ass bob around while he was digging for equipment. God almighty, h
e’
s fine.

Hunter brought her back into the real world with a quick clear of the throat and a hand on the small of her back. Tendrils of pleasure and warmth spread out from his fingers, taking root in her body. A subtle reminder that he was there, and that he wanted her. Even if just for a bit a fun. The sexual charge was enough for her to forget where she was and beg him to take her to bed. She sidestepped him, hoping that the break in contact would bring her back to her senses.