Iron Cowboy [Erotically Yours 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Read online

  Setting them aside, he rose, stilling when he heard a sound coming from the kitchen. Glancing at the clock, he frowned.

  Alice had told him that she’d be meeting her daughter and grandson and made it clear that she’d be gone by five. It was a few minutes after, and the angry voice coming from his kitchen sounded nothing like Alice.

  Lana.

  Intrigued, he made his way to the doorway, his stockinged feet silent on the hardwood floor.

  A whiff of perfume reached him before he stepped into the kitchen, a warm floral and vanilla scent that sharpened his senses and aroused him in an instant.

  The scent of Lana.

  Smiling, he took another step and then another, pausing when he saw her. Leaning against the wall, he breathed deeply, the scent of her wrapping around him while the sight of her sent his heart racing.

  She’d pulled her hair into a high ponytail, the thick, silky-looking strands cascading halfway down her back.

  Her long dark blue sundress covered her legs all the way to her painted toenails, her arms covered to her wrists by a white lightweight sweater.

  Even though it had been a warm, humid evening, she’d been covered the same way the night before.

  The cell phone she held to her ear explained why she hadn’t heard him come in.

  “Damn it, Daniel! I’m all right. I sure as hell don’t need a damned cowboy watching over me. I know he’s your friend, but that doesn’t mean he has to take care of me. Stop trying to baby me, and stop trying to get your friends involved. Don’t you have a pregnant wife to fuss over?”

  Bracing a hand on the countertop, she bent her head, clearly upset. “My wrist is fine.”

  Unfisting her hand, she lifted it to her forehead, rubbing a spot near her temple. “Yes. I found another doctor here. Yes, he has all my records.” Listening to her brother, she nodded and closed her eyes. “Yes. I have an appointment with him on Wednesday. Can we please talk about something else?”

  To J.W.’s horror, a single tear trickled down her cheek. “I love you, too. Give my love to Kristen. I have to go. I’ll talk to you later this week.”

  After disconnecting, she blew out a breath and tossed her phone onto the counter. “Damn it!”

  Turning, she gasped, her hand going to her chest and her eyes wide.

  J.W. remained motionless as she took several steps back, not wanting to make the mistake of scaring her again.

  She blinked, her hand dropping to her side when she recognized him. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  J.W. smiled faintly, pleased that his evening had taken such a delightful turn. “I was about to ask you the same question.”

  Straightening, he took a step toward her, stopping when she hurriedly stepped back and winced as she backed into the counter. “Are you all right?”

  Lifting her chin while wrapping her arms around herself, she nodded. “I’m fine.”

  Bracing his hands on his hips to keep from fisting them in anger, he watched her closely, furious that she reminded him of a wounded and trapped animal. “Good.”

  He didn’t believe she was fine at all, but he let it go for now. “I’m here because I live here. Would you like to tell me what you’re doing here?”

  Rubbing her arms, she shifted restlessly, every line of her body tight with tension. “I want to talk to you about last night. I drove out this morning, but you’d already gone out. Alice and I talked, and since she wanted to go see her family and I wanted to see you, she asked me to cook your dinner.”

  J.W. stiffened. Stepping forward, he fought to hide his irritation at her obvious unease and went to the cabinet for a glass. Watching her tense and plant herself as if resisting the urge to move away, he spoke in a voice harsher than he’d intended. “Did she? I’m going to have to talk to her tomorrow.”

  “No!” Shaking her head, Lana reached out to him, taking a step closer. “She fixed everything before she left. I just have to put the steaks on the grill. She knew I wanted to talk to you. The baked potatoes are already on. If I could just talk to you for a minute, I’ll put the steaks on for you, and I’ll leave as soon as they’re done.”

  “No.” Holding the glass under the faucet, he watched her out of the corner of his eye.

  She was tall for a woman, probably only an inch or two under six feet but way too thin.

  Taking a step back, she wrapped her arms around her waist again, a defensive gesture that infuriated him. “What do you mean, no?”

  Gaining her trust and giving her some self-confidence suddenly became a huge priority.

  The thought of what had been done to her made his stomach clench. He just wished he had the chance to spend a few minutes alone with the man who’d attacked her.

  Turning to look at her again, he leaned against the counter and tried to appear as unthreatening as possible. “I’m tired, hungry, and sweaty. If you want to talk to me, it’s gonna have to wait until after I take a shower.” He grabbed the plate of steaks and turned. “I’ll throw the steaks on the grill and go take a shower. We’ll talk over dinner.”

  Walking away, he hid a smile at her stunned expression and made his way out to the grill in his stockinged feet.

  Once he threw the steaks on, he went back inside and passed her on his way to his bedroom. Feeling her gaze, he turned abruptly, his brow going up when he caught her looking at his ass. Going with instinct, he grinned, letting his gaze rake over her. “Brave when nobody’s looking, huh? A shy little thing like you couldn’t handle what I’d dish out. I like my steak rare, so don’t you dare walk away from it.”

  Turning away, he grinned at her gasp and strode down the hall to his bedroom.

  Not until he caught himself whistling in the shower, though, did he realize just how much he looked forward to the night ahead.

  Chapter Five

  Watching J.W. cut into his steak, Lana took a sip of lemonade to ease her dry throat, uneasy at the strange fluttering in her stomach.

  Her hands couldn’t fit around his biceps, and his chest was remarkably wide.

  In her line of work, she’d come across a lot of muscular men, but she’d never seen a man as big, or one who’d gotten his muscles from hard work instead of a gym.

  She’d been around handsome men for years, and none of them had impacted her senses the way J.W. did.

  Although he could never have been described as handsome, he had a presence about him, a masculine ruggedness that made him the most captivating man she’d ever met.

  His hair, just long enough to brush his collar, was thick and dark and so silky looking that she itched to thread her fingers through it.

  He looked solid, and from what she’d heard, he had a strength of character to match.

  He’d stepped up to the plate and taken over after his father’s first heart attack, and it was obvious that he took good care of his mother. His ranch.

  And as she’d learned from her brother, he’d agreed to look after her.

  He was a good man, a rarity in her world, but she sure as hell didn’t want him taking her on as his responsibility.

  Shifting under his steady stare, she took another sip, her hand jerking when he spoke.

  A dark brow went up, his eyes searching hers. “Are you gonna tell me what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  Her face burned as she mopped up the lemonade she’d spilled, rekindling her anger. “You eavesdropped on a private conversation last night.”

  “I did, unintentionally.” He gestured toward her plate, which he’d filled himself. “Eat.”

  Gritting her teeth, Lana fisted her hands on the table. “I already told you that I’m not eating with you.”

  “I refuse to discuss anything with you until you eat something. You’re thin—too thin. I guess being a model all these years means you’re used to living on carrot sticks, but you’re not a model anymore, are you?” Raising a brow, he stabbed another bite of steak. “Or are you only here temporarily?”

  Not understanding the displeasure
in his eyes, or why he’d suddenly become so tense, she frowned up at him. “I’m here to stay. I won’t be modeling anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can tell me what to eat.”

  His slow smile sent a chill through her. “Wanna bet?”

  Alarmed, Lana rose, wrapping her arms around herself as she moved to the counter. “What I do is none of your business. How dare you eavesdrop on a private conversation!”

  Not understanding why his eyes lit with amusement, or perhaps satisfaction, she faced him squarely. “You had no business sneaking around and listening to my father and me talk.”

  His eyes narrowed, the glint of anger in his eyes slightly alarming. “I don’t sneak around. It’s my damned ranch, and I’ll go anywhere I want to.”

  Setting his knife and fork aside, he sat back, his eyes sharp. “You’re getting awfully upset over it.”

  “It was personal, damn it!” Even angry, she felt herself drawn to him, stunned that, despite his anger, he seemed in complete control.

  J.W. never raised his voice, but the ice in it made his anger even more terrifying. The way he looked at her, though, gave her a warm feeling inside.

  He gave her his undivided attention, studying her intently as if she was a puzzle he wanted to figure out.

  Amused, she found herself fearing him less with every passing moment. Lifting her chin, she ignored his gesture for her to sit back down, stiffening when his eyes hardened.

  “Why did you listen to us anyway? Is that how you get your kicks?”

  J.W.’s smile, filled with erotic intent, sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach and created a strange heaviness low in her abdomen. Leaning forward, he glanced down at her breasts before meeting her gaze again. “Darlin’, if I told you how I get my kicks, I’d scare you to death.”

  Stunned at the shock of desire that slammed into her, Lana spun away, closing her eyes, and struggled to control her breathing, knowing that she had to get out of here as soon as possible.

  Determined not to let him see his effect on her, she opened her eyes and turned back again, her breath catching when she caught him staring at her, a small smile of amusement playing at his lips. “I don’t see what the hell you find so amusing.”

  “Why don’t you sit down and eat your dinner and we’ll talk about it?”

  Lana blew out a breath, frustrated at his stubbornness. “I don’t want to sit down, and I don’t want to eat. I just wanted to tell you that I think you’re despicable for eavesdropping and to ask—”

  “No. You don’t, do you?”

  Lana blinked. “I don’t what?”

  “You don’t think I’m despicable. All this anger isn’t just because I heard your conversation. It’s because you’re aroused and not very happy about it.”

  Infuriated that he seemed to be able to see right through her, she hoped he attributed her burning face to anger. “You’re delusional. You’re not only delusional. You’re an arrogant asshole!”

  Furious at him, and at herself for letting him get to her, she started for the door. Before she could take her second step, he was on his feet and blocking her way.

  Raising a brow, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Sit down.”

  “Listen, I—”

  “No.” A muscle worked in J.W.’s jaw. “Sit. Down.”

  Lana took a step back, his anger chilling. “Please, I—”

  “Damn it! Don’t look at me like that.” Turning away, he strode to the other side of the large kitchen, his hands on his hips as he stared out the back door. “I won’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you. I need you to believe that.”

  Stunned at his obvious distress at scaring her, she froze in place, staring at his strong profile. “Okay.”

  He glanced at her, his lips twitching in self-derision. “What else would you say?” He stared out into the yard. “You don’t have any reason to trust me, and you’re probably worried that I’ll get mad if you don’t agree with me.”

  Blowing out a breath, he turned his head, glancing at her briefly before staring out the door again, his small smile appearing forced. “I don’t usually listen in on private conversations.” Scrubbing a hand over his face, he took another deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m not used to explaining my actions, but I can’t gain your trust unless I tell you why I was there.”

  Lana’s breath caught, and she found herself turning to face him and taking a step closer. “Why is it so important for you to gain my trust? Because Daniel asked you to watch over me? Well, I don’t need anyone watching over me. I just want to be left alone.” She started turned away with the intention of leaving, pausing when he began to speak in a low, even tone.

  “I knew my mother would be looking for me soon. She was very determined that I be there. I knew it meant a lot to her, but I have a ranch to run, and at the end of the day, I’m too damned tired for parties. I had a killer headache, and I knew as soon as she saw me, she’d be anxious for me to join her party. I took a couple of aspirin in the bunkhouse and started toward the house, but even the music made my head pound. I stopped and sat by the fence, hoping that after ten or fifteen minutes it would be tolerable.”

  Turning toward her, he smiled faintly. “After a couple of minutes, you and your dad came out. I had no idea you’d have a private conversation. I figured you’d just make small talk and go away.” His lips twisted. “You didn’t.” Shrugging, he looked out again. “I already know a little about what happened to you. I must have missed it on the news when it happened, and apparently your brother and parents were pretty tight-lipped about it at the time.”

  Mortified, Lana folded her arms across her chest. “You know what happened because you eavesdropped or because my brother told you when he asked you to babysit me? He had no right to do that.”

  Unaccountably hurt that J.W.’s only interest in her was to honor a promise to her brother, Lana shook her head. “He had no right.”

  “He’s your brother. He loves you, and he’s worried about you. That gives him the right.” Turning, he strode toward her, taking her arm and leading her to her seat, his hand gentle despite its size. “Sit down and eat before it gets completely cold. You’re too thin and look as weak as a kitten.”

  He moved carefully around her, a man aware of his strength and used to reining it in.

  He also spoke like a man used to barking out orders and having them obeyed without question or hesitation.

  Suddenly too tired to argue with him, she lowered herself to her seat again and picked up her fork. Taking a small bite of her baked potato, she watched him sit down again. “I just wanted to make sure that you keep whatever you’ve heard to yourself.”

  Cutting into his steak, he shot her a dark look. “I’m not in the habit of gossiping. Eat some of your steak. You’re too damned pale. I’m sure pale and skinny are normal in the modelling world, but you look like a strong wind would knock you down.”

  Amused at how much he sounded like her brother, Lana smiled. “Why you silver-tongued devil. You sure know how to make a woman feel beautiful.”

  He glanced up at her again, and to her amusement, he appeared slightly embarrassed. “I’m sure you’ve been told how beautiful you are enough times.” Frowning, he gestured toward her plate. “You’re not eating. Are you waiting for me to feed you?”

  His gruff voice and the arrogant lift of his brow made it sound like a threat.

  “You wouldn’t!”

  Pausing with a bite of steak halfway to his mouth, J.W. lifted a brow again, a demanding gesture so much a part of him that it reinforced her conclusion that he was a man used to being in charge. Watching her, his dark eyes glittering with promise, he waited until she sighed and stabbed a piece of the juicy steak and stuck it into her mouth.

  J.W. nodded once. “Smart girl.” He ate the bite on his fork and cut into his steak again, looking meaningfully at hers. “So are you really staying in Monterro?”

  Strongly suspecting that J.W. would feed her himself if she didn’t eat more, Lana cut
another small bite of steak. “I’m here for good.”

  He watched her closely as she ate, staring at her lips for several long seconds before lifting his gaze to hers again. “So why did you quit modelling?”

  Smiling humorlessly, she set her fork aside and lifted her glass. “There aren’t many modelling jobs for scarred women.” Setting her glass aside, she got to her feet, her appetite gone. “I’d better go. It’ll be dark soon.”

  J.W. stilled, his eyes sharpening. “Are you afraid of the dark?”

  Cursing herself for her slip, Lana cleared her dishes, using it as an excuse to keep from looking at him. “I just hate driving in the dark, especially since I haven’t had time to familiarize myself with the roads again. Things have changed since I left.”

  Eyeing her thoughtfully, J.W. sat back in his chair. “Yes. They certainly have.” He reached for his coffee cup, still watching her. “Those apartments are new. How do you like living there?”

  Smiling, she leaned back against the counter. “My apartment’s a hell of a lot bigger than the one I had in New York.”

  J.W. smiled, his smile doing funny things to her stomach. “I’ll bet.”

  Setting his cup aside, J.W. sat forward. “What happened?”

  Shifting restlessly, Lana took a step toward the hallway leading to the front door, stopping abruptly when J.W. rose. “He attacked me.” Staring at his chest, she sucked in a breath in an effort to hold back a sob, jolting when J.W.’s hands closed lightly on her shoulders. “You already know that. Just leave me alone.”

  “Easy. It’s just me. No one can get to you when I’m around, and I think you already know that I would never hurt you.” His low voice had a calming effect, his words surrounding her with a warm sense of security that brought tears to her eyes.

  She had to get out and get herself back under control. Her sanity depended on it, but the strong hands moving gently over her shoulders, firmly loosening knots she hadn’t even been aware of, kept her in place. “I need to leave.”

  J.W. moved his hands slightly, his warm, gentle caress drawing a low moan from her. “He used a knife?”