Johnnie Walker (It's All In The Whiskey Book 1)
Author: Talty, Jen
Date: 2019-08-26
Publisher: Jupiter Press

Johnnie Walker

It’s All In The Whiskey

Jen Talty

Copyright © 2019 by Jen Talty

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

Johnnie Walker

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

Also by Jen Talty

About the Author

Johnnie Walker

It’s all about Whiskey
book 1

USA Today Bestselling Author

JEN TALTY

Chapter One

Buhl, Idaho…

Johnnie Walker Whiskey, better known as JW, set his empty glass on the counter and rubbed his tender back.

“How many world records do you have to break before you’re going to retire?” his sister, Georgia Moon, said. “You’re not getting any younger.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Two weeks ago, he’d promised his fiancée and his future father-in-law he’d give up bull riding competition, and even though he knew it was time, he’d made the decision for all the wrong reasons.

Hell.

He’d been bullied into it, and now Bella wanted him to make the announcement as soon as possible. Preferably in the morning.

That wasn’t going to happen.

“I smell like Bengay, and even though the X-rays say my ribs aren’t broken, they sure feel like if I coughed they’d snap like a twig.”

“Then don’t cough.”

He let out a slight chuckle as he clutched his side. He’d had a good run, and now it was time to move on to the next phase of his life, only he wasn’t exactly sure what that looked like.

“Have you seen Luke?” Georgia Moon leaned against the bar and tipped her cowboy hat.

“Not since we got here, why?”

“Something crawled up his ass and died. Any idea what?” Georgia Moon asked.

“I wish I knew.” JW frowned. He and Luke Hannah had been doing the circuit together since they were teenagers. Up until about two years ago, they tolerated each other. But when Luke nearly died after having been trampled by a bull, it had been JW that jumped the fence and came to Luke’s rescue.

They’d been best friends ever since.

“I feel like for the last month he’s been avoiding me,” Georgia said. “JD and JB said the same thing.”

“I know. I’ve thought the same thing, but I didn’t want to say anything until after the competition. Even though I haven’t made a formal announcement about my retirement, everyone is speculating, and honestly, I wanted to make sure I went out on top, so whatever has been bothering Luke, I needed it to wait.” JW carried a tinge of guilt for not asking his friend if there was something wrong, something he would rectify first thing in the morning.

Georgia Moon patted his shoulder. “I don’t blame you there.”

“Can we get another round?” he asked the bartender.

“Sure thing, JW, and congratulations on beating your own record. That’s damn cool.”

“Thanks.” JW turned his attention to Georgia Moon. “Have you seen Bella?”

“I try to avoid your stuck-up girlfriend at all costs,” Georgia said with a scowl. “I can’t believe you asked her to marry you.”

“She’s going to be a member of this family, and I’d appreciate it if you’d start being nice to her.” JW had thought that his sister and two brothers would have accepted Bella by now, but ever since he’d popped the question, his family had dug their heels in even deeper.

“Maybe you should have that conversation with her. Yesterday, she told me, JD, and JB we’re going to have to move off the ranch.”

“She did what?” JW took his drink and downed the whiskey in one gulp. It burned his throat, and he coughed. A sharp pain took hold of his chest. He’d known Bella for most of his life. Growing up, she’d been a spoiled little princess that he did his best to avoid until about a year ago when he’d ran into her at a local watering hole. They shared a meal and a few laughs. One thing led to another, and the next thing he knew, he was secretly dating the daughter of one of the richest men in Idaho.

Things were great until they made their relationship public two months ago.

“You heard me,” his sister said.

“Well, that’s not happening, so don’t worry about it.” He glanced around the massive living room, but Bella was nowhere to be found.

“I honestly don’t know what you see in her,” Georgia said. “She must give the best blowjobs known to man.”

“Don’t be disgusting,” JW said under his breath. His sister had no filter. A trait he both valued and resented.

“I’m being serious. She’s selfish and treats me like some hired help.”

JW lifted his Stetson and raked a hand through his hair. “Half the time you treat her like she’s got the plague, so what do you expect? It’s time to call a truce. Can you at least try? For me?”

“I suppose,” his sister said.

Only, JW wasn’t so sure what he saw in Bella anymore. The sweet, attentive woman he’d fallen in love with had been replaced with the selfish, spoiled mean girl he remembered from high school. He kept telling himself things were off-kilter because of his training these last couple of months and the fact she had started to plan the wedding.

A huge wedding he didn’t want.

That had caused a massive rift in their relationship.

“I’m going to go see if I can find her and don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll make sure she understands that the four of us own the ranch together, and my siblings aren’t going anywhere.”

“Good luck with that.” Georgia slapped his back.

He groaned and not from the bruises. “I’ll talk to you later.” Pulling out his cell, he sent a text to Bella. Where the fuck was she? This was precisely the kind of thing she liked to be draped on his arm for, especially since he broke a world record. Didn’t matter it was his own. She thrived on the attention.

Wandering the halls of Luke’s spacious home, he contemplated how he was going to tell Bella that no way in hell could he do some big fancy country club wedding with over three hundred guests. He’d conceded to a church wedding. He’d give her that. He’d even do the whole fucking reception thing, but he wanted to limit the guest list to family and close friends, and in his book, that meant maybe fifty people, tops.

And even that was way too fucking big.

JW couldn’t find Bella in the family room, kitchen, or the back patio. The only other place he could think to look was Luke’s library where he kept his own set of trophies, and it was quite the collection too. JW pushed open the large wooden doors. “What the fuck?”

“Oh shit,” Luke said with his hands on Bella’s hips, her naked body draped over the desk.

JW blinked. Then he rubbed his eyes.

“Oh, my God,” Bella whispered as she scrambled to cover her body. “I thought you locked the door.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” JW swallowed the bile that smacked the back of his throat. JD had warned him that Bella had a wandering eye.

Well, it was more than her eye that wandered.

But what sucked the air right out of his lungs was watching Luke turn his back as he hiked up his pants. “You both can have each other.” JW turned on his heels and stormed down the hallway, not bothering to shut the door.

“Hey, JW,” JB, his younger brother, called. “Where are you going?”

“Home,” he said flatly. He was in no mood to talk to anyone. He’d deal with this after he got good and drunk for a week.

Or more.

“Wait!” Bella called.

He paused mid-step and clenched his fists. The one thing he hated more than anything was public drama, and Bella knew how to cause a scene.

“Not now,” JW said.

“What’s going on?” JB stood at his side and stared at him with an arched brow. “You’ve got that look.”

JW shook out his hands and relaxed his face. The last time he had what his brothers referred to as the look, he ended up in a brawl after one of Georgia’s ex-boyfriends sent naked pictures over the internet. He put his hand up as Bella approached. “Not the time nor the place. We’ll talk later. JB, get me the fuck home, now.”

“You got it,” JB said.

JW navigated his way through Luke’s home, trying desperately to erase the image of one of his best friends fucking his fiancée. He stopped in the living room to get his trophy. He glanced around at all the guests. A few of them smiled and waved in his direction while the rest continued with their conversations. However, all of them remained blissfully unaware that JW’s world had come to a crashing halt.

“This isn’t me,” JW mumbled.

“Excuse me?” his brother asked.

JW gripped his trophy and stomped out into the brisk night air. “That scene. Those people. The party. That’s not my style. It’s Bella. It’s all Bella.” He tossed the metal object into the back of the pickup. “And Luke.”

“Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?” JB asked as he slipped behind the driver’s side of JW’s pickup.

“Just drive.” JW tossed him his keys. He stared at the dark sky. Puffy clouds floated over the bright stars. Bella and Luke had been acting weird for weeks, and he had no idea why.

Now he knew.

The diesel engine roared to life. JB punched the gas, and the big tires kicked up some loose gravel on the driveway.

JW secured the seat belt across his waist. He made a fist and slammed it into the dashboard.

“Jesus, what the hell has gotten into you?” his brother asked.

“You won’t have to worry about Bella anymore. I won’t be marrying that bitch.”

“What did she do to piss you off?”

“She’s been fucking Luke.” While JW never liked airing his dirty laundry in the public eye and would prefer if the world didn’t know the real reason for his breakup, he wouldn’t lie to his family.

“How do you know?”

“I caught them.” JW swallowed hard.

“Just now?” The truck jerked to the left, then to the right.

“Watch the damn road.” JW rubbed his temples. He wasn’t sure what hurt more. Bella’s betrayal or Luke’s. Didn’t matter. Both would be cut out of his life.

For good.

“I didn’t like her, but I never wanted anything—”

“I know.” JW dropped his head back. His siblings had put up with a lot over the last few months when it came to Bella, and she hadn’t made it easy. If anything, she made it harder, and he’d been stuck in the middle. But he’d pushed it all aside and focused on his training.

The pickup jerked to a stop in front of the main house.

“You can take my truck back to your place,” JW said as he slipped from the passenger seat.

“Nah. I’ll walk. It’s a nice night.” His brother leaned against the driver’s door. “Do you want company?”

“Not tonight.”

JB nodded. “Call me if you need me.”

“Will do.” JW made his way inside where he was greeted by two very excited dogs. “Hey, King. Hey, Kong. You two will love me forever, right?” As a reward, the dogs yelped and raised up on their hind legs, giving him a wet kiss. He set the trophy on the counter, then let the dogs out.

A few minutes later, the dogs went wild, barking and growling as if an intruder were on the prowl.

JW pulled back the door. “What the hell are you doing here, Bella?”

“Could you please call these dogs off me?” Bella hugged herself and twisted her body left and right as King and Kong pranced around her, practically snapping at her heels.

“Inside you two, now.” JW snapped his fingers. “In your beds.”

“We need to talk,” Bella said as she smoothed down the skirt that had been hiked up over her hips an hour ago.

“There is nothing to talk about.”

Before he could slam the door closed, she pushed her way into his home.

King growled.

Kong groaned.

He should tell the dogs to attack.

“I still love you,” Bella said in that sweet as honey voice that usually would make him act like a lovesick puppy.

Now, all it did was make him want to vomit.

“Get out.” JW snagged his trophy and hurled it across the living room. It hit the wall with a thud and a crack, shattering into three pieces when it landed on the hardwood floor.

Both dogs whimpered, covering their snouts with their paws. He’d apologize to them later.

“Oh, my God,” Bella yelled with her hand on her hip. “You could have hit me with that stupid thing.”

“I didn’t throw it anywhere near you, so stop being so dramatic.” As much as he’d like to haul off and put his fist through the wall, he’d never lay a hand on her, even if she was the reason for his rage. “I want my engagement ring back.”

She gasped, her eyes growing wide as if the request had been such a shocker.

He didn’t want the damn ring back, and he should have known their relationship was doomed the day she refused his mother’s ring—something about it being too small and not her style.

“You’ve been so busy lately. I was lonely. Come on, JW. Let’s talk about this.”

He laughed. “There is nothing to talk about. We’re done. I’ll have your things sent to wherever you want. I never want to see you near this house again. Ever.” He closed the gap between them, curling his fingers around her arm, tugging her toward the door.

“Hey, that hurts!” She jerked her arm away. “That’s going to leave a bruise.”

He ignored her statement, knowing he’d applied little to no pressure, and opened the front door.

“My siblings were right about you all along,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes into tiny little snake-like slits. “You’re going to regret this.”

“I doubt that.”

“I’ll make sure you do,” she said with a snarl.

The second she crossed the threshold, he slammed the door shut, locking it. About the only thing that would get him through the night was his namesake.

He stepped over the broken trophy and made his way to the bar, pulling out a bottle of Johnnie Walker. He didn’t bother with a glass. The liquid burned as he took three large gulps.

He eased himself back onto the sofa and turned on the television. He had no idea what blared from the speakers as he took a few more shots, closing his eyes. He’d deal with the fallout of breaking up with Bella in the morning.

He took a few more sips, his vision doubling as the effects of the alcohol numbed his body. His mind wandered to a place where he’d never met Bella, much less took her home.

His brain became a haze of what-ifs and mistakes. He wished he could go back and have a do-over…

He had no idea how long he’d slept when the doorbell rang.

And rang.

And rang.

Then someone pounded at the door.

His head throbbed, and his stomach lurched to the back of his throat as he tried to stand, but instead he rolled off the sofa.

Pushing himself to a standing position, he tried to focus on the clock blinking off the cable box, but the room continued to sway, and he saw double of everything. A faint glow of light shimmied through the window.

So, he’d slept all night. Well, that had been his goal.

He rubbed his temples and stumbled toward the front door.

“Johnnie Walker Whiskey. This is the police.”

Steadying himself, he pulled back the door. “Yes, Officer?” He tried to steady himself, though he didn’t think he was successful as the two policemen standing in front of him rocked as if they were holding a baby.

“You’re under arrest,” one of the cops held up a piece of paper. “You have the right to—”

“Before you read me my rights, could you at least tell me what for?” JW asked.

“For the assault of Bella Brothers.”

Chapter Two

Three months later…

Kitty O’Doole tossed her phone into her purse and cringed.

“Is that Preston again?” Dorinda, her best friend from high school, asked. “You should file a restraining order.”

“For what? I don’t even know what he wants. I haven’t spoken to him since the trial. I haven’t even listened to his voice messages.”

“Good. He’s a rich prick who doesn’t deserve you,” Dorinda said. Her flip-flops smacked against her heels as they walked down the streets of Baltimore on the way to McCurdy’s Restaurant. “I still can’t believe he didn’t spend a day in prison and now he’s got these new business dealings. Doesn’t anyone remember all the money he lost his investors?”

Kitty shrugged. “I no longer care. He’s not my problem.” She fingered the tiny scar she had on her right cheek from when Preston’s diamond wedding ring crash-landed on her cheek. It had been the only time he’d hit her.

But that had been enough.

She’d packed her things, moved out, and filed for divorce. Little did she know that three hours after she left, the police would come knocking on her front door and arrest her husband for fraud and embezzlement.

“That’s the right attitude to have.” Dorinda slapped her on the back. “Now, how about you let me fix you up with one of Kirk’s buddies. It’s been forever since you’ve gone on a date.”

“Oh, no, you don’t.” Kitty wiggled her finger in front of her friend's nose as they stood at the street corner near the bar they worked at. “I told you, no men until I’m done with my master’s degree.”

“Are you kidding? You’ve been going to school part time for the last couple of years while you pay for your little brother’s education. You’re at least a year from even going to graduate school. That’s another two years without a man.”

“I don’t need a man in my life to be happy and fulfilled.”

“Okay, but you need sex.”

Kitty laughed. “They have toys for that.”

“That’s pathetic.” Dorinda looped her arm through Kitty’s and tugged her across the street. “How about a one-night stand? Lots of men are willing to do that.”

“Oh, please.” Kitty had one or two of those and talk about pathetic. It didn’t matter if the sex had been mind-blowing; it left her feeling used, unsatisfied, and cheap. Almost as bad as Preston had made her feel near the end of their marriage. Not a feeling she wanted to suffer through again. “Remember that guy from the gym?”

“Yeah, well, we all have one of those assholes in our past. But seriously, Kitty, you need to get out. I mean, you work, you take a class or two, you hang with your family and me, but that’s it. What kind of life is that?”

“A simple one,” she said, pushing open the door to McCurdy’s. When she’d been married to Preston, he wouldn’t allow his wife to work. So, she found charities and fundraisers to immerse herself in, and that was fine with him, and while she found it fulfilling, she’d always wanted to be a teacher. Every time she brought it up, he’d give her a million reasons why she didn’t have to work.

She smiled, imagining the look on his face if he knew she was tending bar. He’d flip out.

Her purse vibrated. Digging into it, she pulled out her phone. This time it was a missed call from Preston.

“Block his number.” Dorinda kissed Kitty on the cheek. “I better go be the hostess with the mostess.” Dorinda waved as she made her way to the front of the restaurant.

Kitty stepped behind the bar and into the back room, tossing her purse on the table.

“Hey, Kitty,” Scott McCurdy, the owner of the pub, said. “I heard the little brother graduated college. That’s awesome.”

“He landed a job too,” she said with a big smile. “He started last week. He’s super excited, and I’m really proud of him.”

“As you should be.” He pulled her in for a hug. Scott had become more of an uncle than a boss over the last couple of years. He’d been quite understanding of her schedule and gave her extra hours when she asked for them. “I know you’re only on until six, but do you mind staying until eight? If it’s not busy, I can let you go earlier.”

“Not a problem. I can use the hours before classes start in the fall.”

“You’re one of my best bartenders. It’s going to be hard not having you around full time.”

“I’ll still be working weekends and one or two nights during the week. I’ve got to save some money so I can move out of my parents’ house.” She didn’t mind living with her parents at all, but at twenty-seven, it was about time.

“You tell me what hours and days you can work, and I’ll make it happen.”

“Thanks, Scott. I really appreciate it.”

Scott disappeared into his office.

She sat in the back room and stared at her phone. For almost a year she hadn’t heard a single word from her ex-husband, so what on earth did he want now? On the day of his sentencing, Preston had told her that he’d get his revenge for her testifying against him. Not that her testimony did the prosecution much good since she knew almost nothing, but it didn’t look good that his wife was willing to toss him under the bus.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she unlocked her phone.

Preston: I’ve had a lot of time to think about things, and I want to apologize properly. Can we meet for coffee sometime?

That text had been the first of about twenty starting a couple of weeks ago. She scrolled to the last one.

Preston: I would really appreciate it if you would grow up and stop ignoring me. I just want to talk. I heard Keith graduated. Good for him. He’s a smart young man. Please. Call me. I would like the opportunity to talk to you.

She tossed her phone into her purse and tucked it into a locker. She knew Preston well enough that if she responded, he’d take that as a sign she would welcome him back into her life, and that would never happen.

* * *

The humid Baltimore air smothered JW’s skin, closing off his pores. Dust and dirt from the hardened ground after weeks of no rain, coating his body layer upon layer, had never been as brutal as a summer afternoon in this city. Who the hell came to Baltimore to clear out the cobwebs and have a little downtime?

Johnnie Walker Whiskey did, that’s who. But only because he tossed a dart at a map of the United States and vowed to take a week wherever that dart landed. He’d been hoping for the Carolinas but man, had his aim been off.

He turned the corner from his hotel, his cowboy boots smacking the pavement as his socks squished. God, this would make his boots smell worse than a horse barn, a week overdue on mucking the stalls, on the hottest day of the year. Two young men wearing polo shirts, bright-colored shorts, and flip-flops strode past. JW never wore shorts. Ever. And he certainly didn’t sport flippy things. Hell, he barely wore sneakers, and only if he had to.

Now, shirtless?

He could do that all day long.

But he supposed the same rules about shirts and restaurants applied in Baltimore as it did in the rest of the country.

He had no idea where he was going, only that he figured he’d pass some sort of bar that served food at some point and a little walk would be good, except he hadn’t anticipated sweating so much. Maybe, he should try a pair of shorts.

The image popped into his head.

Nope. He’d rather be hot.

His cell buzzed in his back pocket. He snagged it and glanced at the incoming call.

Luke Hannah.

JW paused. A young mother pushing a toddler in a stroller bumped into his heels. He turned and glanced over his shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

The woman scowled and pushed past him in a rush.

He’d been avoiding Luke for months. Georgia Moon kept telling JW to give the man a chance to at least apologize. After that, if JW never wanted to speak to him again, then so be it.

JW stepped to the side and tapped the green button. “Hello.”

“JW? Did you really answer the phone? I thought I was going to have to leave another message. I’ve left six in the last month.”

And JW hadn’t listened to a single one. “I’ve been busy, and now I’m out of town. What do you want, Luke?” JW leaned against a brick building and tipped his hat over his eyes. A dull ache developed between his temples.

“So, I take it you haven’t opened the large envelope I sent you a couple of weeks ago.”

JW let out a long breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “No. I haven’t.”

“I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have betrayed our friendship like that. I could give you a million excuses on why it happened, but they wouldn’t mean anything.”

“You’ve got that right, and I don’t care.” JW had heard from more than one source that Bella had told Luke lie after lie for weeks to get him into her bed. He’d also heard that Luke hadn’t been her only affair. JW honestly didn’t give a rat’s ass about the circumstances.

And he didn’t want to hold on to this anger anymore.

“I’m sorry about what I did. I know you’ll probably never be able to forgive me, and I understand.”

JW’s stomach growled. “Is that all you wanted?”

“No. I’m moving, and I want to sell you my farm.”

“What?” JW wiggled his index finger in his ear. “Why?”

“Robert Brothers is hell-bent on destroying me, and I don’t have the resources you have to fight him or protect myself. If I put it on the market, he’ll buy it within seconds, and if I don’t, I’ll be bankrupt in weeks, and he’ll come in and scoop it up anyway.”

“It makes no sense for him to do that. His property is across the county.”

“He blames me for a lot of things, and we both know Bella hasn’t been kind in the media,” Luke said. “They are out to destroy me, and they are doing a bang-up job of it. Look, JW. Our properties meet at the far northwest corner of your ranch near the creek. It makes perfect sense for you to buy up mine, especially when you’re expanding your school.”

The expansion of the Whiskey Ranch Bull Riding School had been in the works for almost a year. It should have been off the ground, but JW’s arrest had stalled the progress. Buying Luke’s land would give JW and his family an edge over Robert Brothers in the long run. JW might be good at holding grudges, but he was a better businessman.

“Where would you go if you sold your land?”

“My sister has a horse farm down in Florida. I’ll go there for a while until I figure out what to do next.”

JW tipped his Stetson back and pushed from the building. Sweat trickled down his back. “I can help you fight Robert if you want.”

Luke chuckled. “He wouldn’t see that coming, and I appreciate the thought, but I need to get the hell out of Idaho. Don’t take this the wrong way, but Bella fucked me up good.”

“She knows how to make a man bleed out, that’s for damn sure.” The heaviness that had been weighing him down became slightly lighter. He and Luke might never be good friends again, but letting go of all the anger and resentment put a spring in JW’s step. “Call Georgia Moon. She knows where the package is that you sent. Tell her I’m on board, and we’ll give you a fair price.”

“I’m sure you will,” Luke said. “Where are you, anyway?”

“You’d never believe it if I told you. We’ll wrap up the details when I return next week.”

“Thanks, man.”

“See you then.” JW tapped the screen and slid his phone into the back pocket of his jeans.

Leisurely, he strolled about five blocks until he stood in front McCurdy’s Restaurant. He glanced over the menu which consisted of your typical burgers, steaks, wraps, and other standard items anyone would expect from a pub. The door swung open as two young girls, arm in arm, scurried onto the sidewalk.

They both turned their heads and smiled. “Best pub in all of Baltimore,” one of them said, batting her eyelashes.

Pretty enough, but if they were a day over twenty-one, he’d be shocked.

“Can’t go wrong,” the other girl said.

He lifted his Stetson, giving the girls a nod. “I appreciate the tip.” But he didn’t need it. The thick aroma of grilled beef, barbeque sauce, French fries, and whiskey sending his stomach on a low, hard growl had told him that this would be his nightly stop for the week.

If he could stand this city that long.

Not only had he been hoping for the Carolinas, but he preferred the great outdoors, hiking, canoeing, and staring at green mountains.

Not buildings.

He stepped into the pub and glanced around at the packed room. Well, it was happy hour in most places.

“It’s going to be about an hour wait for a table,” the hostess said with a bright smile.

“Can I get dinner at the bar?”

“By all means. Same menu.” The young woman pointed across the room to the back bar, across from a stage where a band looked to be setting up. “That’s Kitty behind the counter. Tell her Dorinda sent you and that I said to take special care of you.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He made his way through the room, staring at the back side of Kitty, the bartender, wondering what the hell Kitty stood for and if she got razzed as much as he did for his name.

He took the open seat at the end and watched her hips sway as she shook two metal containers before pouring them into a tall glass filled with ice. Her long red hair was pulled loosely into a braid, cascading down her back, stopping just an inch shy of her belt. She wore jeans that hugged her hips like a saddle on a bull. A black tank top rested gently at the top of her pants, showing off just a little skin.

She turned sideways, and he damn near fell off the stool as she leaned across the counter, sliding the tasty drink across the wood. Her full ruby lips drew into a killer smile.

“I still can’t believe my baby brother is a college graduate and gainfully employed,” she said.

“Thanks to you,” a young man with bright-red hair said.

“Hey, babe, our table is ready,” a blond chick waved from across the room.

“Dinner is on me,” Kitty said.

“Someday, sis, I’m going to strike gold and take care of you for a change.”

“I do mighty fine all by myself.” She tilted her head toward the end of the bar. Sexy freckles dotted her pale skin. Her face said she couldn’t be older than maybe twenty-two, which was way too young for his blood. At pushing thirty-four, he didn’t date anything younger than twenty-eight.

That wasn’t true.

He didn’t date.

At all.

“Nice hat,” Kitty said, her hand waving across the counter with a white rag.

He watched her clear off the space in front of him, mesmerized by her movement, and tried to ignore the fact he noticed she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. “Why thank you, ma’am.”

She tossed the cloth over her shoulder with an arched brow. “Not sure anyone has ever called me ma’am.”

“First time for everything.” He took his hat off, setting it on the counter, realizing he stuck out like a black Lab in a sea of yellow ones. “Are you Kitty?” He ran his fingers through his short dark hair. The only time he took off his hat was when he showered, went to bed, or when the pastor at his church made him.

She leaned back with a scowl. “Who’s asking?”

“JW and Dorinda over there said Kitty would take good care of me.” He hadn’t meant to put her on the defensive. “Can I call you, Kitty? Or would you prefer ma’am?”

Her smile returned. “I’ll answer to either. What can I get you?”

“How about a Stella and shot of Johnnie Walker, and whenever you get a chance, a menu.”

“Sure thing.” She reached under the counter, her arms pressing against the sides of her breasts, enhancing her cleavage which he couldn’t help but notice.

He dropped his gaze to his lap.

“What’s JW stand for?” She snagged a Stella glass and pulled back the lever, dispensing the brew.

“I’ll tell you on two conditions.”

“I’m not sure I want to know that badly,” she said with a slight laugh.

“Well, I want to know if someone named you Kitty or if that’s a nickname.”

“What’s the second condition?” She flicked the foam off the top with a quick snap of her wrist.

“When you’re on a break, you take a few minutes to tell me what in this town I should do and see.” Well, shit. He’d meant to say: you can’t make fun of my name.

She pushed the beer in front of him as she turned and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. “I don’t socialize with customers.”

“I’m not asking you to. Just asking for recommendations of things to do. I’m here for a week, and all I’ve got on the docket is an Oilers game.”

“I can make some recommendations while I’m working.” She nodded her head at another customer. “Good enough compromise for condition number two?”

He nodded with a big smile. He hadn’t had this much fun talking with another woman since he started dating Bella. Of course, Kitty hadn’t a clue who he was, and if she did, she’d be even more reserved, if she even chatted with him at all.

And he must not forget, Kitty was a female, and he didn’t need one, especially a young one.

“All right then. Kitty is my nickname. My real name is Cat. Just Cat. Not Catheryn or Caitlynn or anything sweet like that.”

He stifled a laugh as he raised his shot. “That’s cute.”

“Adorable,” she chided with a sarcastic grin.

“Is there a reason your parents named you just Cat and called you Kitty?” He downed the rich liquid in one gulp, enjoying the burn as it pooled in his gut. He told himself he was being polite with the lovely bartender, nothing else.

“That wasn’t part of the deal.” She nodded to another customer who waved at her from the other end of the bar. “Can I get you another Johnnie Walker?”

“This Johnnie Walker will take another shot of his namesake.”

“JW stands for Johnnie Walker?” When she laughed, her lips puckered, and all he could think about was kissing them. “I’ve got to hear why your parents named you that.”

“Only if you tell me why yours named you Cat, Kitty.”

“It’s a deal, right after I take care of another patron.” She poured him another shot before making her way down the bar, attending to all the customers, making sure they had what they required while another bartender made drinks for the waitresses.

He should have been spending his time nursing his beer and going over the menu instead of gawking at the cute Kitty with a personality of a tiger and a wicked sense of humor. When she glanced his direction, catching his gaze, he quickly snapped the menu, ducking his head behind it like an idiot who had never mastered how to pick up a girl in a bar.

“Have you decided?” she asked, her hip resting against the counter, arms folded over her chest.

“What do you recommend? What’s your favorite?”

“I’m partial to the corn beef and cabbage.”

He drew in his lips, scrunching his face. “Not only am I not Irish, but I also can’t stand that shit.”

“How about shepherd’s pie?” Her green eyes danced against her porcelain-like skin. He’d never seen anything so intoxicating. Hell, he’d never seen a redhead with green eyes in his life.

“What the heck is that?” he asked.

“Layer of mashed potatoes, corn, ground beef.”

“How about I get a bacon cheeseburger, loaded, and chili fries.”

“I had you pegged for a baby back rib kind of man.”

“I’m a pretty simple guy.”

“All right, simple guy. This bartender has to know why your parents named you after a bottle of whiskey.”

“In part because my last name is Whiskey.”

“Ha, ha.” She pursed her lips, shaking her head. “No way is your name Johnnie Walker Whiskey.”

He pulled out his driver’s license and dropped it on the counter. “See for yourself.”

She glanced between him and the counter, leaning forward. “Holy shit. Do you have any siblings?”

He leaned back and laughed. “I have two brothers and a sister. All named after whiskey.”

“I’ve got to hear those.” She leaned over the counter with an attentive smile.

He made sure his gaze never left her pretty eyes, even if he did notice the soft mounds pushing up out of her top.

“Jack Daniel’s, with the apostrophe, but we call him JD. My other brother is Jim Beam.”

“I take it he’s JB?”

“Smart girl. I like that,” he said.

“So, what’s your sister’s name?”

“Georgia Moon and we call her by her full name.”

“I bet she hates that,” Kitty said, her big sea-colored eyes luring him in like a rope around a cattle horn.

“Not sure what she hates more, the name or having three older and very protective brothers.”

“That would suck too.”

“Your turn.” He knew she’d have to stop talking to him soon, as there were other people seated at the bar, but hot damn, if he wasn’t having the best time. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this alive.

“The day I was born, my parents were putting names in a hat at the hospital. One for girls and one for boys. But before my father could finish writing one of his favorites, I decided to enter the world so when asked what my name was, my dad reached into the hat and pulled out the one he hadn’t finished.”

“Why didn’t they give you the name he’d meant to write.”

“Because they both liked calling me their little kitten, so that’s where Kitty came from.”

“What was the name supposed to be?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “They have never told me. I even threatened to run away if they didn’t, but they are more stubborn than me.”

That statement reminded him of how young she had to be. “How long have you been bartending?”

“I’ve been at this job for three years.”

“You don’t look like you could be legal for the last three years.” Shut the fuck up. Christ. Ever since the breakup with Bella, JW avoided bars. Partly because the press hounded him and always managed to snap a picture of him that made him look like an ass. But also, he either tended to either shoot his mouth off and end up in a fight, or he’d say stupid shit.

Like now.

“I appreciate the compliment, but I’ve been over the legal age to drink for a little over six years.” She pushed back from the counter.

He quickly did the math.

Still younger than his cut-off.

He mentally sucker-punched himself in the gut. Didn’t matter how smart and adorable this chick was, he’d rather spend the rest of his life with his right hand than take a risk on a woman again.

“I’ve got other customers to attend to. If you need anything, just holler. Your food will be up in about ten minutes or so.”

“Thanks, Kitty.”

“My pleasure.”

Thankfully, she gracefully backed away, and he concentrated his attention on the baseball game. Not that he watched baseball or even knew anything about the sport, but it was something to focus his mind and eyes on.

That was until she brought him his food. Not only did the food smell like a little piece of hamburger heaven, but the presentation with the fluffy bun off to the side, cheese melting over a hunk of meat, and fries doused in a chili sauce made his stomach roll over and beg.

“Another beer?” she asked.

He nodded as he greedily dug into his dinner. The last thing he’d had to eat was peanuts on the plane, and they weren’t that good. “And how about some recommendations on things to do.”

“Did you come alone?” she asked, her long fingers curling over the lever as she pulled it back. Something in the front of the pub caught her attention, and the beer spilled out as she overfilled the glass. “Fuck,” she muttered, wiping off her hand.

He glanced over his shoulder. A tall, slender man wearing a pink button-down shirt entered the pub.

What was it with city men wearing pink?

The man pushed his sunglasses up on top of his head as he scanned the room.

Kitty shoved a foamy beer in front of JW. “I can’t believe he showed his face here,” she whispered.

“Who?”

“My ex-husband.”

Chapter Three

“He doesn’t look like your type.”

“He’s not,” Kitty said, her heart hammering in her chest like a machine gun, only partly caused by her ex showing up without warning.

JW had her stomach in knots from the second he sat down at her bar. She’d always had a thing for bad boys. The guy with a scruffy, unshaven face, but not out of control. Just wild. Hair a little messy. Mystery lurking behind brooding eyes. She always called it the ‘rugged look.’ Her father called it the ‘stay away from him’ look.

“How old is he?” JW cleared his throat. “I’m sorry; that was rude.”

“He’s almost forty, and yeah, I look like I’m twelve.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” JW tipped his hat and smiled. “How’d you end up with a guy like him?”

“I was a twenty-year-old waitress at a country club. I was young and naive, and Preston can be charming when he wants to be.”

JW arched a brow. “Preston? That sounds very country club preppy.”

She let out a short laugh. “You have no idea.”

“Are you friendly with your ex?”

“We haven’t spoken in over a year, but he’s been trying to get a hold of me.”

Typically, she didn’t discuss her personal life with strangers, or customers, but something about the tall, sexy man sitting in front of her made her feel safe. Comfortable.

Probably a bad idea since she’d been so wrong about Preston.

“Looks like he’s coming this way,” JW said, popping a French fry in his mouth. “Give me a code word if you need help.”

“It’s going to be him who needs assistance.” She watched as Preston waved to three men before gliding between the tables, heading right in her direction.

“You work here?” Preston wedged himself next to JW, who didn’t look thrilled to be nudged with an elbow and no apology.

“There’s nothing wrong with having a job,” she said, biting her tongue.

“But a bartender? At a pub? You can do better than that. I thought you always wanted to be a teacher. What happened to that dream?” he asked with a slight smirk that she wished she could smack right off his face.

“I’m in school working toward that.” She didn’t owe Preston an explanation, but she wasn’t about to stand there and let him belittle her any longer. “Now if you don’t mind, I need to get back to work,” she said, planting her hands firmly on her hips.

“What time do you get off?” He had the nerve to smile at her as if their crossing paths was a regular everyday occurrence. “We need to talk.”

“My silence toward your phone calls and texts should tell you I don’t feel the same way.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the sexy cowboy look her ex up and down. Part of her had enjoyed the light banter JW had provided, and he’d be the perfect kind of man to toss in Preston’s face.

“I think I deserve five minutes of your time, considering we were once married.”

“Say your piece,” she muttered. Preston could be persistent, and the last thing she wanted was for him to bother her or her family.

“I don’t want to do it here. Have coffee with me.”

“She’s busy,” JW said casually as he wiped his hands on his napkin, tossing it on the plate.

Preston craned his neck. “Excuse me? Who the hell are you?”

“A friend,” Kitty interjected, not wanting a pounding of the chest situation. “Look, Preston, we have nothing left to say to each other.”

“A lot has changed.” Preston leaned over the counter.

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. Preston told her she was a rat leaving a sinking ship when she’d asked for a divorce. He’d go between that and begging her to stay, telling her it would all work itself out, that all she had to do was trust him. “Now that I’m back on my feet, I was thinking—”

“Nothing good comes out of you thinking.”

“You still have a razor-sharp tongue,” he said, shaking his head with a stupid smile. “I see that your brother is here. I’d like to talk with him too about—”

“You need to stay away from my family and me.”

“I can make things easier on you financially.” He curled his slimy, dirty fingers around her wrist.

JW cleared his throat. “I don’t think the lady wants your hands on her.”

“I don’t care what you think,” Preston said with a clipped tone, glaring.

She took the opportunity to yank her hand free.

Swiveling the barstool, JW folded his arms across his chest. His massive muscles flexed. “Touch her again, and you’ll care, alright.”

“Who the hell does this guy think he is?” Preston asked.

“Her date for the evening.” JW arched a brow.

Narrowing her eyes, she glared at JW. The last thing she needed was for Preston to go off halfcocked and end up in a brawl.

Then again, she might enjoy watching JW pound the shit out of Preston.

“You’re going out with this—”

She interrupted Preston. “We’re friends,” she said behind gritted teeth.

“Well, tell your friend, this is none of his business.” Preston turned his back to JW. “When we divorced, you refused any settlement. Let me give you one now.” When she’d first met Preston, he’d given her family money and opportunity, but throughout their marriage, he used that simple fact to control her.

“I don’t need your money, nor do I want it or the strings that come with it.”

“Why do you have to be so pigheaded? I’m just trying to be a stand-up guy and do the right thing by my ex-wife.” Preston shook his head. “My start-up is looking for good, smart people right now. I want to hire your brother. That wouldn’t be a handout, now would it?” Preston stiffened his spine, shoving his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels like a proud peacock ruffling its feathers.

“He’s got a job.” She smiled as wickedly as she could. “With Emerson Industries.”

Preston’s mouth dropped open at the news her brother was working for the man who turned Preston into the federal government.

She bit down on the inside of her mouth. That was way too much fun.

Preston drew his lips into a tight line. He hated being dismissed by anyone. “You still know how to crush a man’s heart.” He turned on his heels.

She watched him glide across the floor like a graceful figure skater, stopping at a couple of tables to shake hands with a couple of men she’d never seen before.

“Never seen a divorced man offer his ex-wife money before,” JW said.

“It’s an offer from the devil.” There was absolutely nothing she could do about Preston spending time in McCurdy’s Restaurant. “And while I appreciate that you were only trying to help with the date comment, it only made matters worse.”

“I apologize. Mind if I ask how long you and he were married and why you got divorced?” JW asked as he raised his beer, bringing the glass to his full lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed with each gulp. His playful eyes had turned guarded.

“Couple of years and he was arrested for embezzlement.” She nodded to one of the patrons waving his drink. “I’ll be right back.” Why she felt the need to qualify her departure or why she was compelled to continue her conversation with JW was a thought she chose not to ponder too hard.

She made her way up and down, refilling her customers’ drinks, keeping one eye on her ex and the other on the sexy cowboy who had been flirting with her without it feeling like he was trying to pick her up. She felt the corners of her mouth tug upward—what a freaking name.

Johnnie Walker Whiskey.

She snagged the signature bottle, holding it up, catching his gaze.

“One more,” he said with a drawl, though he wasn’t Southern, not at all.

“I’m sorry I was short with you. My ex brings out the worst in me,” she said.

“We all have someone in our past that does that.”

“What kind of a last name is Whiskey, anyway?”

“Long story short, my great-great-grandfather changed our name from Whisken to Whiskey by accident when he signed his name as an immigrant, and the officer wrote it as a Y, not an N. He just never bothered to correct it.”

JW had a husky voice, and he enunciated every syllable like an educated man, but there was a dangerous edge to it. He was the polar opposite of Preston with his five o’clock shadow and dark, brooding eyes. JW had broad, thick shoulders and massive biceps. He also came off as the strong, silent type who didn’t do small talk well, where Preston filled every silent pause in a conversation.

“Is your dad named after a whiskey?”

“The entire family. My dad’s name was Elijah Craig, and his brother is Evan Williams. I’ve got cousins named George Dickel, Henry McKenna, James Oliver, and Virginia Black. My aunt Ezra Brooks started naming her kids after drinks, so we’ve got Margarita and Cosmo.”

“That’s crazy; you know that, right?”

He nodded. “Not that I’m going to have kids or anything, but me and my siblings decided to stop the madness.”

“Are you an uncle yet?” She glanced out into the dining room, eyeing her ex and a few of his buddies from the country club that she vaguely remembered. Preston had always kept her wrapped in this protective bubble, wanting to shield her from the shallow assholes who judged them. She seriously wondered why Preston had ever married her. When she asked the question during the divorce, he said that he honestly loved her.

Maybe he did.

But he sure as hell hadn’t trusted her with the truth, and that was a deal breaker.

“Not yet and not anytime soon since none of us are in a serious relationship.”

She cleared his empty plate, wiping down the counter. “Take it from a divorcee; relationships are overrated.”

“Cheers to that.”

“It was nice meeting you, JW. My shift is about over for the night. Can I get you anything else?”

“Just the check and a list of places to go check out?”

“Right. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be back with a list.” She slipped his check into a glass, sliding it across the counter.

“Here.” JW held out the check with a hundred-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”

“That’s way too big of a tip,” she said, staring at the hot cowboy. She didn’t know if she should be insulted or not.

“I’m going to leave it all on the counter, so either it goes in your pocket, or the other bartender’s. The choice is yours.”

“Thank you.” She went to the register, ringing up his check before ducking into the back room to collect her things. She’d split the tip, but she didn’t need to do that in front of the customer. After clocking out, she said her goodbyes to her brother and made her way to the patron side of the bar, but JW wasn’t standing there.

Well, that was rude after she’d gone to the trouble of making a list.

She glanced around the room, letting out a sigh of relief when she spied him coming out of the restroom, holding that damn hat in his hand. He nodded in her direction, pointing to the front door.

Dorinda smiled as if she’d won the lottery. Boy, was she going to be disappointed when she found out her attempt at fixing Kitty up with the hot stranger had been foiled.

“So, I take it Kitty took more than good care of you,” Dorinda said.

“She sure did.” JW tipped his hat.

A flutter of excitement crawled up Kitty’s body. She tried to banish the feeling before it made her cheeks flush with desire she hadn’t experienced in a few years. Even her hands got clammy, which hadn’t happened since the first time she had to open a wine bottle in front of Preston and his entire family.

“Here’s a list of some things to do in Baltimore that I promised you. I’m sure there are a ton more things to do, but it will give you a good start.” She placed the piece of notebook paper in his palm.

He took her hand and raised it to his mouth. His warm lips sent a wave of lust across her skin. “Do you like ice cream?” he asked as he shoved the list in his back pocket.

“She loves ice cream,” Dorinda chimed in.

She swallowed. “You seem like a nice guy, but I don’t date my customers.”

“I’m not asking for a date, just to share some ice cream. I saw a nice little dessert shop down the street.” He pointed in the direction of Haller’s Treats, which was only a few blocks from her house.

“That’s our favorite little spot.”

“I really should get home.” Kitty glanced over her shoulder.

Preston leaned back in his chair with a scowl. Pissing him off had never been a good idea. But she wasn’t his wife anymore. She owed him nothing, and she certainly didn’t have to answer to him anymore.

Dorinda leaned in. “Put your hand on this tall cowboy’s arm and go get ice cream. If nothing else, it will put that ex-husband of yours in his place.”

JW took her hand and placed it on his biceps. “Your friend is a crappy whisperer.”

Well, hell. She had to walk right past it. “All right, but only because it’s hotter than hell outside. I don’t mean to use you to get my ex off my back.”

“This is the only time I don’t mind being used,” JW said with a smile.

The sun hadn’t quite disappeared behind the horizon, and the humid air clung to her pores as she tucked her purse under her armpit and tried to keep up with JW’s long strides. He looked like he was taking a stroll while she scurried on like a hamster on a spinning wheel.

But what baffled her was why she continued to keep her hand tucked neatly in the crevice of his elbow until they stepped into the ice cream shop.

He ordered a chocolate chip sugar cone, and she asked for double chocolate in a dish.

“I can pay for my own.” Standing in front of the register, she dug into her purse.

“I’m sure you can, but my sister would have my head if I didn’t.”

“Your sister’s not here.” She took the cup he offered, letting him pay. She saw no point in insulting his kindness, but she would have to make sure he understood that she wasn’t interested.

She bit back a smile. Not interested? Hell, all she could think about was how his callused hands would feel on her backside.

They sat at one of the tables outside. This time, he kept his cowboy hat on.

“I have to ask what’s with the hat?”

“Where I come from, this is our version of your baseball cap, which I’ve been wondering, why do people wear those suckers backward? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?”

“When on right, it blocks the sun from your face. When on backward, it protects the neck.”

“Is that why I don’t see a single redneck in this city?”

She laughed so hard she nearly spit out a mouth full of ice cream. “You’ll need to go to the countryside in Virginia to see them.” She wiped her lips with the tiny napkin all ice cream shops give out. “So, where do you live?”

“Buhl, Idaho.” He finished his cone in like three bites.

She shivered, her teeth stinging at the idea of chewing the cold dessert. “Idaho? What the hell are you doing in Baltimore?”

He shrugged. “I’ve probably had one too many drinks, so consider this me being loose in the lips since I generally don’t talk about myself to perfect strangers.” He tipped his hat up a tad, leaning back in his chair. “The last few months have been difficult for me, and my family kept telling me that I needed to take a vacation. So, Georgia Moon set up a map of the United States and handed me a dart. I swore I’d go wherever the dart landed.”

“It landed on Baltimore?” She shook her head. “You poor man.”

“It can’t be that bad, can it?” he asked.

“Just be careful where you go at night. I wouldn’t walk anywhere after dark in this city.”

“I did read that somewhere.”

She nodded. “Speaking of which. I live a few blocks from here, and I should get going.”

“It’s dark, so I’m walking you home.”

She took in a long, slow breath. “I appreciate the company, the ice cream, and the gesture, but I’m not interested in—”

“I’m going to be rude and stop you right there,” he said, gently taking her by the elbow. “Part of why I need a vacation is because of a bad relationship I was in, and I’m here to clear my head, not get involved, or even have a fling. But I’m a gentleman who can in no way feel good about letting you walk alone in these streets. I’ve heard about the crime in this city—”

She patted his biceps and damn near broke her hand. “You can walk me home.” She shouldn’t have said that. While she believed he was a harmless cowboy, she had a rule about the men who came into the bar. Hell, she had a rule about men. Stay clear of them.

Kitty stopped dead in her tracks only one house from her folks.

“Your ex-husband is persistent,” JW mumbled.

“Just promise me you won’t get into it with him, okay?”

“I promise I won’t start it, but that’s the best I can do.”

“I’ll take it.” If her father had seen Preston sitting on the front porch, JW would be the least of her concerns. “What are you doing here, Preston?”

“If you’d give me five minutes of your time, I wouldn’t have to do this.” Preston stood.

JW’s biceps flexed, and his entire body stiffened, but to his credit, he didn’t say a single word.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

“That’s not a good idea,” JW said.

“This doesn’t concern you.” Preston inched forward.

JW puffed out his chest. “Maybe not. But I’m not leaving until I know Kitty is tucked safely inside her home.”

“I’ll make sure my wife is taken care of.” Preston held up his hand, spreading out his fingers. “Five minutes. That’s all I ask.”

“Okay,” she said reluctantly.

JW growled.

“Wait right here, okay?” She patted JW’s arm before walking up the street with Preston, making sure she kept her distance from her ex-husband. “You’re trying my patience, and after this evening, you need to leave me alone.”

“I still love you, Kitty. I want you back. I never should have let you go in the first place.” He rested his hands on her shoulders.

She shrugged them off. “You lost my love and respect the day you hit me.” She palmed her cheek.

“I’m so ashamed by my actions that day. I want to make it up to you.”

“Leaving me alone will do that.” She stole a glance back at JW, who stood in front of her house with his hands on his hips. “Anything else?”

“Who is he to you?”

“He’s a friend. But if he were to become more, that’s none of your business. Now, please, I’m begging you, leave my family and me alone.” She spun on her heels and took off as fast as she could without breaking out in a full-out run toward JW.

“Are you okay?” JW asked.

She nodded. “Is he leaving?”

“He’s getting in some fancy sports car.”

“Then I’m great.” She let out a long breath. “Thanks for walking me home.”

He looped his arms around her waist. “May I kiss your cheek?”

She nodded, turning her head.

His hot lips sent her pulse soaring. “Good night, JW.” She left his embrace and made her way up her front porch. Stopping at the front door, she glanced over her shoulder. “I had a good time tonight.”

“I had a better time.” He tipped his head and sauntered down the street.

Damn. If he showed up in the bar and asked her out again, she wouldn’t say no.

Chapter Four

It took a little digging, but JW found out that Preston’s last name was Reinhart and his new start-up company, Reinhart Analytics, had an office only a few blocks from JW’s hotel.

After stuffing his face with a hearty breakfast, he found himself sitting at a Starbucks with a fancy cup of joe that tasted more like a coffee-cupcake, reading article after article about Preston Reinhart, his family, and the trial that nearly landed poor, spoiled, wealthy Preston in prison for embezzlement and fraud.

And now more investors were trusting a proven crook with their money?

Just as he tapped the next article on his cell, it buzzed in his hand.

Georgia Moon.

“Hey, sis, what’s up?” he asked as if he were a spoonful of sugar.

“I’m checking in to see how Baltimore is treating you, but from the tinge of sarcasm I hear in your voice, I’d say you’re one unhappy cowboy.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. There are worse places I could be. I found a great little restaurant to eat dinner at, and I have a list of zoos, aquariums, libraries, and museums to visit.”

Georgia Moon gasped. “Oh my, brother, you must be dying.”

Had it not been for a sexy redhead, he would have been on a plane home by now.

“I made a promise, and I’m going to stick to it, even if it kills me.” He sipped his coffee, keeping an eye on the building across the street. According to his research, Preston’s father owned the building and leased it out to five businesses, one of which happened to be Reinhart Analytics, located on the top floor.

“Well, you better not drop dead on us because those bulls you bought, we have confirmation they will be here at the end of next week.”

“I’ll be back by then.”

“Luke called me last night,” Georgia Moon said, abruptly changing subjects as she often did. “I emailed you his proposal.”

“I saw that and skimmed over your notes. What he wants is way below the value of his land.”

“If you offer him more, you’ll insult him,” Georgia Moon said.

“Well, find a way to make sure he gets more. At the very least, we need to cover all the extra costs that will go into this purchase.”

“I’m glad you decided to forgive him.”

“This isn’t about forgiveness. It’s a business deal. Luke and I will never be friends again,” he said with a stern tone. He knew his sister had a thing for Luke. It had started when they were all teenagers and continued into adulthood; only Luke never gave her a second glance.

In JW’s eyes, that had always been a good thing.

“Anything else I should know?” JW asked.

“Not about the ranch or business.” Georgia Moon cleared her throat. “Bella made a statement today.”

“Shit. What the hell did she say this time?” JW rubbed his wrists, remembering the cold metal tightening around his skin.

“She’s announced she’s going to be a singer.”

“She does have an amazing voice.” JW used to love to listen to Bella sing for hours. He always thought she should go on one of those talents shows. He figured Bella would win for sure. “But I get the feeling there’s more to her announcement.”

“When asked about you, she said she hoped for a reconciliation. She said that the two of you had talked and were basically in the friend zone.”

“We’re in the nowhere zone,” he muttered. More than once, Bella had used the press to try to bait him into a meeting. Since she’d had him arrested for something he hadn’t done, he’d kept his distance, and they’d spoken only once. He told her he wished her well, but that he never wanted to see or hear from her again.

Period.

“The press has been camped at the end of the driveway since the announcement this morning,” Georgia Moon said. “What do you want me to do?”

“I’m tired of her games.” JW adjusted his Stetson and examined the onslaught of people coming out of Preston’s building. “But I don’t want to call attention to myself halfway across the country.”

“I’ll gladly make a statement for you. I can tell them you’re currently—”

“On vacation with a friend that happens to be a girl.” He choked on the last word.

So did his sister. “You want me to lie.”

“It’s only a half lie.” He let out a long breath. “Not that I’ve met anyone, but I had ice cream last night with a woman, and I’m going to see her again tonight.”

“Ice cream? You ate ice cream?”

“That’s what you’re shocked about?” He laughed.

“Among a few other things. But if I tell the press that, they will hound me for more details and then go bonkers trying to find you. Not a good idea.”

His sister was right.

She was always right.

“Okay. Then tell them flat-out that Bella and I are over and that there is no chance she and I will ever get back together. Tell them once again. I wish her all the best and hope her singing career takes off. If they ask why I’m not giving the interview myself, tell them I refuse to be pulled back into the drama. That should put an end to it for good.”

“It will piss off her father.”

“He’s finished doing any business with us anyway.” Not having Robert Brothers’ seal of approval hurt the Whiskey Ranch, but they were fighters, and they had a solid foundation. They would come out on top. “He can’t do any more damage to our business. We’ve proven ourselves to those that have remained loyal, and we’re growing, especially with the bull riding school.”

“You want to write something up?”

“Nope. I trust you, sis.”

“Good, now tell me about this woman.”

He downed the last sip of coffee and squinted as he eyed Preston emerging through the revolving doors. “Nothing to tell. Just a nice bartender who took pity on a man who sticks out like a sore thumb in this city. I plan on eating at her bar again, and that’s about it.”

“Damn, you sure know how to get my hopes up and then shoot them down.”

Preston crossed the street and paused at the corner when he made eye contact. JW tipped his hat and smiled like his mama taught him.

Kitty was not going to be happy when she found out his path crossed with her ex’s, and he’d be telling her that it was random.

Because it wasn’t.

“I gotta go, Georgia Moon. I’ll talk to you later.” He didn’t wait for his sister to say goodbye before tapping the red button on his cell. “Preston, right?” JW didn’t bother to stand, take off his hat, or extend a hand.

“I’m sorry I’ve forgotten your name.” Preston shoved his hands into his pockets.

“It’s JW.”

“Well, JW, since we’ve run into each other, I’m going to ask you to stay away from my wife.”

“Ex-wife,” JW corrected with a wide smile. “And that’s not going to happen, but I think you should keep your distance. She’s made it quite clear she doesn’t want you around.”

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Preston took a step forward.

JW held his ground and remained relaxed. “A friend of Kitty’s. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading to meet her now.”

“Interesting. I’m having a business dinner at McCurdy’s tonight.”

That turned JW’s smile into a frown. “Why are you insisting on making things difficult for Kitty? First, she divorces you, and last night, I distinctly heard her ask you, mighty kindly I might add, to let her live her life.”

Preston held his palms out. “It’s a free country, and my client picked the place. I guess I’ll see you there.” He turned on his expensive, funny-looking loafers and headed in the opposite direction.

“Like hell your associate chose Kitty’s bar,” JW mumbled. He took long strides across the street and down two city blocks until he stood in front of McCurdy’s Restaurant. He pushed open the door.

“Hey, JW,” Dorinda greeted him with a big smile. “How are you this fine evening?”

“Better now that I’m here.” He tipped his hat and glanced over his shoulder, half expecting Preston to be one step behind him. “I ran into Kitty’s ex a few minutes ago. He informed me he’s having a business dinner here.”

“We know.” Dorinda pursed her lips and shook her head. “He booked the back room a couple of hours ago. God, I wish I could have told him another party had it, or that we had too many reservations tonight, but sadly, that wasn’t the case. I’m just glad that we’ve got a singer tonight. Might make his business meeting difficult since we’re going to let them turn up the volume full force.”

“What kind of music?”

Dorinda giggled. “Country.”

“Hot damn, that makes this cowboy very happy.” Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the sexy redhead smiling at him and pointing to an empty barstool. His heart thumped in his throat. It had been a long time since a woman made him feel like a teenage boy. “Hopefully her ex will keep to himself tonight because I kind of want to punch that smug grin off his face.”

“I knew I was going to like you the second you strolled into this bar. My boyfriend’s picking me up tonight at ten, and I’m trying to talk Kitty into having a drink with us. Would you care to join?”

“If Kitty does, I’m game.”

The bell above the door chimed, and a group of six people shuffled in.

“I’ve got to get back to work. You go talk her into it.”

“I’ll do my best.” After making himself comfortable, he set his cowboy hat on the counter.

Kitty placed a shot of Johnnie Walker and a Stella in front of him. “So, according to Preston, you’re stalking him.”

JW arched a brow. “Now, why would I do that?” He had at least half a dozen reasons he could think of off the top of his head.

“You don’t strike me as a fancy kind of coffee drinker.”

He took a big gulp of his beer. “That’s very true. But I promised Georgia Moon I’d try new things, and that was one of them. Rest assured, I’ll be going back to straight-up black.”

“So, you weren’t sitting outside my ex’s office building waiting for him?”

JW shook his head. He’d never been much of a liar, and he hated doing it to Kitty. “That place is between my hotel and your place of work.”

Kitty tossed a towel over her shoulder and let out a puff of air. “That makes sense.”

“Your ex is none of my business, but for the record, he did get up in my face.”

“He said the same about you. I’m more inclined to believe a man with a hat.”

JW smiled. “Do you still get off at eight?”

She nodded. “Before you go hounding me about drinks with Kirk and Dorinda, I’ve already decided I’ll go, but on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You let me lie to my ex and tell him we’re dating.”

“You, my dear, Kitty Cat, have a deal.”

She snapped his arm with the towel. “If you know what’s good for you, you won’t ever call me that again.”

“Yes, ma’am.” JW downed his shot, hoping the slow burn would calm his raging hormones.

Even if he could put a damper on them for the evening, he’d still need a cold shower before bed.

* * *

Kitty took a seat across from Dorinda on the patio at Kirk’s apartment while JW and Kirk went inside to open a bottle of wine. She stretched out her legs on the chaise lounge chair and stared at the bright stars dotting the sky. She’d agreed to go out to one of the local hot spots for a single drink with her best friend, her best friend’s boyfriend, and the hunky cowboy. The bar would have been loud and crowded.

But instead, she wound up in a private, intimate setting where it became impossible to ignore JW and his damn good looks.

“A penny for your thoughts,” Dorinda said as she crossed her legs and picked at her pretty pink nail polish.

“I’m wondering what I’m doing here.”

“You’re having a grand old time with—”

Kitty raised her hand. “It was a rhetorical question.”

“Maybe you should be asking why JW is hanging around because have you noticed the way he looks at you?”

“He’s a guy, and men always look.”

“Maybe so.” Dorinda leaned forward. “But that sexy cowboy has the hots for you, and I don’t understand why you won’t have a wild and crazy fling with the man.”

Kitty couldn’t deny JW’s sex appeal. Nor could she ignore his kind personality. But he had a gruffness about him that gave her pause. While he appeared to be open about his life, he remained guarded on many subjects. She couldn’t blame him as she certainly wasn’t an open book. Kitty waggled her finger. “He lives in Idaho, and that’s only the beginning.”

“What the hell does that have to do with sleeping with him? It’s not like I think you should jump into a relationship with him. Just his hotel bed.”

“Right. Because having sex is the answer to everything.”

“It might put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.”

Kitty tilted her head and grinned. “So will a little thing called the G-spot vibrator.”

“I give up.” Dorinda dropped back in her chair with a dramatic sigh. “But I bet you’re missing out on the best you’d ever have.”

Plane lights flickered in the sky. She focused on the movement instead of her pounding heart or the butterflies floating about in her stomach. She hadn’t even looked at a man since she left Preston.

“The problem is I like him, but he lives so far away, and I can’t invest in casual sex with a man like JW,” Kitty said so softly she hoped her friend hadn’t heard.

Dorinda bolted to a sitting position. “Shit, girlfriend. It’s always better when you like them.”

“It might make the sex better, but it’s not going to help my heart when he leaves, and that’s only going to mess with the next year of my life, and I can’t afford any distractions.”

“And yet, here you are,” Dorinda said, and she had a point.

Kitty could have clocked out of the bar and gone home. Dorinda and Kirk would have pushed, but they would have backed down after about five minutes like they always did. JW would have insisted on walking her home, and she would have let him. However, now she was about to share a bottle of wine under a blanket of stars with a couple who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves and a very sexy cowboy whose hands she wouldn’t mind on her body.

“Which is why after tonight, I’m going to stop spending time with JW,” Kitty said with as much confidence as she could gather.

“But you’ve got an entire week off of work starting in a few days before summer semester starts. Why not get lost in the arms—”

“Stop. Just stop, okay?” Kitty could rattle off a million reasons why she shouldn’t get tangled up with JW.

And she could name a few dozen reasons why a fling might do her body some good. However, it would only serve to hurt her mind and soul.

Dorinda held her hands in the air. “You’re impossible.”

“I mean it. Not one more word about a fling with JW or any other man for that matter. I’ve got too much on my plate as it is.” Kitty took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I’ll let it go.” Dorinda let out an exaggerated puff of air.

The sound of a cricket’s song filled the night air. A cool breeze kicked up and tickled Kitty’s skin. She stared into the kitchen. JW and Kirk seemed to be immersed in conversation. Kirk might be a good ten years younger, but he had an old soul, and he could get along with anyone. He’d proven that when he’d spent years pretending to like Preston.

“So, when are you and Kirk going to get married?” Kitty asked.

Dorinda’s face lit up like it was the Fourth of July. “We’re talking about eloping this fall.”

“Seriously?” Kitty tapped her chest with her forefinger, keeping the same beat as her pulse. “You don’t want a big wedding with the white dress and all the frills?”

“I want the white dress, but I want to be barefoot on the beach and maybe just you and Kirk’s brother there as our witnesses. We’re talking about doing it at Virginia Beach.”

“Name the time and the place, and I’ll be there for you.”

“I know you will be,” Dorinda said, pointing toward the house. “Here come the boys.”

JW smiled and waved as he pulled back the sliding glass door. “What have you lovely ladies been discussing?”

Kirk followed, holding up a bottle of red wine.

JW set four glasses on the table before pushing his lounge chair a little too close to Kitty’s while Kirk poured everyone a hefty dose of the good stuff.

“Just how lucky you are to have me.” Dorinda snagged one of the wine glasses and took a hefty gulp. She hadn’t been much of a wine connoisseur.

Neither had Kitty. That was until she’d met and married Preston. He turned her into a wine snob for a few short years. However, after the divorce, Kitty decided that a fifteen-dollar bottle of wine had the same effect as a hundred-dollar bottle.

“I’d be lost without you, babe.” Kirk bent over and gave Dorinda a sloppy, wet kiss, tongue and all.

Meanwhile, JW swirled his wine glass, bringing it to his nose. He took a long sniff before taking a tiny sip. “Not bad.”

“You’re a wine guy?” Kitty asked.

“It’s not my go-to drink, but I enjoy a good glass of Cab every now and again,” JW said. “This is pretty good for what my sister would refer to as a normal person’s bottle of wine.”

“I find it shocking that you even like wine, but I think I like your sister.”

JW laughed. “Everyone likes Georgia Moon.” He raised his glass toward the couple still sucking face. “Are they always like that?”

“Pretty much.” She tapped her glass against JW’s. “It’s disgusting.”

“Sorry.” Kirk settled behind Dorinda in the lounge chair, pulling her back to his chest. “I can’t help myself sometimes.”

“Cheers to the happy couple.” JW raised his glass once again. “If you can find that kind of love, hold on to it forever because it doesn’t happen to most people.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Dorinda said.

Kitty sipped her wine, hoping no one noticed her trembling hand.

Love.

She once thought Preston was the love of her life, that he would be all she ever needed. Wanted.

But that had turned out to be one big fat lie.

What kind of lie was JW?

The next hour went by in a haze of good conversation and another bottle of wine. Kitty resented how easy it was to be around JW. It was if he were an old afghan that she wrapped around her body on a cool evening in front of a fire under a blanket of stars after a long day.

JW took her by the hand and guided her through Kirk’s house and to the front door. “I’ll make sure she gets home safe and sound.”

“I can handle an Uber.” Kitty glanced down at her fingers, intertwined in JW’s big, steady hand.

“But they can do those multiple destination points, and I’ll need one too, so we might as well share.” JW tugged her down the front steps.

“I like the way you think,” Dorinda said as she waved from the porch. “You two enjoy your date tomorrow.”

“It’s not a date,” Kitty mumbled.

JW let out a chuckle. It rumbled deep in his chest and rolled across her ears like warm honey. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”

She patted his biceps as he pulled open the Uber car door. “It’s not that at all. Dorinda is always trying to fix me up, and it gets old.”

“I’ll understand if you change your mind, but I do appreciate the company.” He slid in the back seat beside her, resting his arm around her shoulders. “And while I accept it’s not a date, if I lived in Baltimore, or in Idaho, I would be pulling out all my best moves to get you to agree to go out on an official date.”

If they lived in the same area, she feared she wouldn’t have the strength to turn him down.

Chapter Five

JW chugged another bottle of water as he stood outside the entrance of the National Aquarium, waiting for the lovely Kitty. He fought a killer hangover that even a greasy bacon and egg sandwich hadn’t cured. The hot sun beat down on his face. He squinted under the protection of his hat and a pair of expensive sunglasses that hadn’t performed quite as well as the salesperson had promised as the brightness of the sun doused his irises.

He hadn’t a clue how he managed to talk Kitty into meeting him on this insanely hot morning or why he agreed to go to an aquarium, but it was better than the zoo, which on a day like today would smell worse than the inside of an outhouse with no ventilation.

He glanced at his phone. Only five after ten, so she wasn’t late. Texting her right now would probably come off as needy and over the top.

Lifting his hat, he raked a hand through his hair. He’d tried on a couple of baseball caps in the hotel gift shop, but he’d rather have people walk by and stare rather than being insanely uncomfortable.

A bus stopped in front of the aquarium, and a set of bronzed legs graced his vision. He lowered his chin, pushing his hat up a little, peering over the rim of his shades. Kitty wore a pair of sexy jean shorts that hung loose on her hips. A black tank top was tucked neatly into her jeans. It showed off her small, but perfectly round breasts. She had wrapped a dark sweater around her waist, which accentuated her curvy hips. Her feet sported a pair of sparkly flippy things, and her toenails were doused in pink polish. Her long, red hair that had been in a braid the night before bounced over her shoulders, the strands brushing against her tiny waistline.

“Good morning,” he said, shoving his glasses back up his nose, adjusting his hat, and swallowing his thirst to scoop her up in his arms and kiss her cute, plump lips until the sun set.

She waved a piece of paper in front of him. “Found a couple of coupons. Half off.”

He shook his head. While he never squandered his money, he didn’t go out of his way to find coupons. That said, he grew his own vegetables partly because it cost less and partly because it was easier than driving thirty miles to the nearest store. Not to mention, he had abundant access to chickens, turkeys, cows, and the occasional game he shot himself. He could sustain life on the ranch for weeks without going anywhere, except for beer runs.

“Now you’re going to have to have dinner with me.”

She tilted her head, pursing her lips, giving him an odd look. “How do you get that from me saving us twenty bucks?”

“To thank you for that kind savings,” he said, looping his arm over her shoulders. Her body tucked neatly against his tall frame. His mind kept telling him to back off. To ignore the pull she had over him. But his body couldn’t disregard the physical effects of desire.

“I’m not having dinner with you,” she said as they walked through the main gate. She pushed the paper at the young man at the ticket booth.

Before she could dig out her money, he tossed his credit card on the counter. “My mother raised me to be a gentleman.”

She tilted her head, staring him in the eye. “Being a gentleman and me paying my own way have nothing to do with each other, but I’m not going to argue with you. Something tells me you are more stubborn than a mule.”

“My grandmother told me I have a mule-like stupidity.” He signed the slip and guided her toward the shark exhibit. He’d mapped out the entire aquarium over breakfast and didn’t intend on veering from his plan.

“I bet your grandmother is a smart woman.”

“She was the brightest, sweetest lady I’ve ever known.”

“Was?” Kitty had slipped her sweater on as they entered the shark building and tunnel.

The cool air stung his perspiration-drenched skin like someone hurled tiny pieces of ice cubes that stuck to him like a tongue on a frozen pole.

“She passed a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Kitty glided her hand across the railing as a couple of colorful fishes and a giant turtle swam by the glass.

“Thank you.” In all his travels, he’d only been to the ocean once, with Bella. That had been a total nightmare with her constant need to be the center of attention, and really, that he could have dealt with had she just once tried to do something adventurous. He hadn’t asked for much, but she wouldn’t even get on the back of a jet ski, much less, God forbid, get her hair wet.

A massive shark with its mouth partially open slinked by a little too close for comfort.

He coiled his fingers around her hips and pulled her from the glass.

She let out a short laugh, glancing up at him with those killer green eyes. “That’s a pretty thick piece of glass.”

“Doesn’t make that shark any less dangerous.” He flicked the rim of his hat. “And thanks to that shark, I got to put my arm around you.”

“This is starting to feel like a date.” Her smile was going to be the death of him.

“Nope. Just two friends hanging out, like when we go to dinner tonight.”

“You’re not going to give that up, are you?” As they continued to walk through the tunnel that weaved its way under the shark-infested water, her hip swayed, gently smacking against his in a dance his body could never ignore, and his mind didn’t seem to care to protect his heart because he wanted to spend as much time as he could with the sweet Kitty.

“My grandmother taught me to be persistent when I want something.”

“And you want to have dinner with me that bad?”

She stepped away from him as they strolled out of the building. As she pulled her sweater over her head, her red locks cascaded down her back.

“I don’t know anyone else in this city, and I’m honestly enjoying your company, but I do understand if you’re busy.”

“I’m not busy,” she said with a smile. “I’ll go to dinner on a couple of conditions.”

“Name them.”

She rested her fingers on his biceps, and instinctively, he bent his elbow as his grandmother had taught him.

“I pick the place, and I pay for myself.”

“The second condition might be hard,” he teased. Right now, if she wanted to pay for him, he wouldn’t argue if it meant he got to spend a few more stolen moments in her presence. “The dolphin show is going to start soon. Shall we go to that next?”

“Absolutely.”

He rested his palm over her hand as they wandered down a windy path and through a sea of people bustling about the various exhibits.

“Can I ask you a question?” He always hated it when anyone started a conversation with that, but he felt as though he needed her permission.

“Sure, but I reserve the right not to answer.”

“I like your style,” he mused, stopping at a penguin station. As a kid, he’d been fascinated by the funny-looking creatures. He’d beg his parents to take him to Alaska so he could see them up close and personal. His parents had little to no money, and the best they could offer had been a stuffed penguin. “Why’d you get divorced?”

“Oh boy, do you come out with the big guns.” She leaned against the fence, staring out at blue water where the penguins played. “Long story short, Preston lied to me about some of his business dealings and put me in a very uncomfortable situation, and when the shit hit the fan, I bugged out.”

“Did you love him?”

She turned, leaning her back against the railing, resting her foot on the bottom rung. Tucking a few strands of her royal-red hair behind her ear, she tilted her face. Her green eyes glistened in the sunlight. “I did.”

“He’s crazy to have let you go.”

“I didn’t give him much of choice,” she said with a serious tone. “And it’s me who everyone thinks is crazy, considering I walked away from that marriage with not a single dime of his money, not that he could have given me any at the time.”

“What does that mean?”

A warm breeze caught her hair, rustling it over her face.

He brushed it aside, letting his fingers glide along her cheek in an intimate dance he had no control over.

“I’d rather not get into that.”

He rubbed his thumb under her eye for a brief moment before looping his arm over her shoulders and guiding her along the path once again. “I can respect that.”

“My turn to ask a question.”

“Same rules you stipulated apply for me.”

She nodded. “Have you ever been married?”

“Nope. But I was engaged,” he answered honestly. He told himself that he did so because, after this week, he’d never see this woman again and not because he cared enough to be honest.

“What happened?”

“She slept with one of my closest friends.”

She gasped, covering her mouth and pausing mid-step. “I think that’s worse than fraud.”

“What kind of fraud?” He arched a brow as he nudged her along, not wanting to be late for the dolphin show, which was the only reason he’d agreed to go to the aquarium over finding a place to hike or at least go for a very long walk.

“My ex was busted for corporate colluding and embezzlement.” She took his hand as he helped her along a bench on the very last row of the front section, right in the middle, but just above the splash zone.

“You should have taken his money,” he said softly. He’d never been the kind of man to be overly judgmental, but after having met her ex, he reserved the right.

“I testified against him.”

He covered his mouth. “I shouldn’t be laughing.”

“Laughing is perfectly appropriate in this situation.” She covered her eyes with her hand, shielding the sun, giving him a slight smile. "How long since your breakup?”

“It’s only been a few months.”

“Oh boy,” she muttered. “You’re still not over her.”

“I’m completely over her, but I’m not interested in getting involved with anyone and certainly not putting myself out there to be in a relationship.” He swallowed, realizing how shallow he sounded.

“And yet, you had to have dinner with me tonight.” Her tone was neither accusatory nor adversarial. But it was flat.

“I like you. I like your company. I’d be an idiot and a liar if I said I didn’t think you were the prettiest woman in any room, but, and I hope you understand, I’m not looking for anything other than friendship. I don’t expect this to go anywhere. Not even a kiss, though I wouldn’t say no to one.”

Her lips parted as her pink tongue darted between them, moistening the plump flesh.

His breath hitched. Why did he have to even bring up the fact that he wanted to kiss her, when he knew damn well he wouldn’t dare. It would be too dangerous because if he did, he’d want more.

She leaned in, pushing the top of his hat back, her hot breath tickling his ear.

“You live in Idaho, and I live here, and I don’t have time for dating since I’m finally on track for getting my degree, but I am sitting next to you right now.”

He held his breath, waiting for her lips to touch his skin, but instead, she stole his hat, plopping it on her head with a grin from ear to ear.

“No one ever wears my hat,” he said with a low growl. He wanted to lift her onto his lap and kiss every freckle on her adorable face.

“Show’s about to start.”

He reached for the brim, but she batted his hand away. “I bet it looks better on me.”

“I bet a lot of things look better on you.”

* * *

Flirting had never been a natural thing for Kitty. No one would describe her as being shy, but most knew her to be reserved and guarded.

Standoffish.

Except when it came to JW.

“Where are we going?” he asked, his fingers laced between hers as they strolled down a side street not far from her home.

“I’m taking you to my favorite feel-good food joint.”

He snagged his hat from her head.

“Hey. What did you do that for?” She tried to jump up to retrieve the hat, but he held it too high.

“I can’t see your pretty face under the brim.” He adjusted the Stetson, keeping it low over his forehead. “Much better.”

His smile heated her insides like a marshmallow dancing dangerously over an open flame, seconds from catching fire. The last time her heart fluttered at the mere thought of a man’s lips on her skin had been when she’d first met her ex. Since then, even the cutest of men who approached her did nothing but remind her of how her marriage had ended.

As they rounded the corner, the smell of a crispy sausage doused in sautéed onions and peppers assaulted her senses, giving her libido a much-needed break. “Here we are.” They stopped behind another couple waiting to order their food.

“A hot dog stand is your favorite place to eat?”

She tilted her head and looked up, catching his dark gaze. Her damn sexual desires made the gurgle in her stomach from hunger disappear and was replaced by a tingle in all the places that made her a woman.

“We’re not going to eat here,” she whispered. She’d initially planned on taking him to her rooftop, where she always enjoyed sitting and staring at the stars. He’d see she lived with her parents and wouldn’t dare ask to be invited in. They’d part ways, never to see each other again.

Only that plan no longer appealed to her.

“What hotel are you staying at?” her voice trembled, and her heart pounded into her throat.

He arched a brow in a sexy curve as the right side of his mouth curled upward in a playful twitch. “The Belvin. Why do you ask?”

She opened her mouth, but only a gasp escaped. She cleared her throat. “That place is over two hundred a night.”

“Executive Suite is more like four hundred, but I got a deal on it.”

“I’ve never even been inside for a drink. Not even when I was married to Preston. I hear it’s pretty pretentious.”

“We can bring our dinner to the hotel if you like,” he said, his thumb and index finger gliding across her chin, tilting her head.

“We’re stirring up trouble,” she whispered.

He nodded, the top of his hat shading what little sun was left in the sky. “You’re a deadly combination of beauty and brains.” His fingers skated across her cheek before fisting her hair, gently tugging. “I’m only here for a few more days.”

“I’ve only got a week before classes start up, and once that happens, I won’t have any time between my work and school.”

His long, thick lashes fluttered over his smoky eyes. His hot breath tickled her lips. Desire spilled out of her pores, begging to be sucked in by the sexy cowboy.

“I’d like to spend the rest of my time here with you,” he said.

She bit down on her lower lip. “What are we talking ourselves into here?”

“Nothing you don’t want it to be,” he whispered, his mouth less than an inch from hers.

A man cleared his throat, and she jumped, digging her fingers into JW’s shoulders, still holding his gaze.

“Hey, Kitty. Can I get you the usual?” the street vendor asked, forcing her to refocus her attention.

“Two, please,” she said, feeling her cheeks flush. She hoped they weren’t as red as her hair. Pulling out her wallet, she held out a twenty. “He’ll have two as well, but he’s paying for his own.”

JW laughed but thankfully didn’t argue. The wealthy men she knew constantly pushed their money on others, and then used it as leverage to manipulate later. Nothing about JW seemed like the typical rich man. Of course, she knew very little about him, and before she committed herself to a short-lived affair, she planned on finding out a whole lot more.

JW ordered them an Uber since they were close to three miles from the fancy hotel. When she’d been married to Preston, they stayed at places like The Belvin whenever they traveled. She’d learned to accept the fact that Preston would always spend top dollar, even when a basic hotel room would have been just as comfortable. She honestly didn’t miss his money, nor his lifestyle, but she’d be lying if a little pampering didn’t go a long way.

They rode to the hotel in an uncomfortable silence. She couldn’t decide if he was having second thoughts, or if she was giving off the impression she had reservations.

Which she did.

But not enough to stop her from taking his hand as he helped her from the vehicle and following him into the elevator. His hand rested firmly on her lower back as he pushed the button, taking them to the top floor.

“I’m happy to just have dinner with you,” he said in a low, husky voice.

“We should have stopped to get beer.” She blinked. Why the hell did she say that?

“I have beer, wine, and Johnnie Walker.”

“I think I want a taste of the whiskey.”

He growled, pinning her to his chest, his arms circling her waist. The bag of food fell from her fingertips. His lips came down on hers, hard. The elevator doors dinged open. Thankfully, no one waited in the hallway as JW bent over, picked up the bag of food, and lifted her over his shoulders.

“Whoa, there cowboy. What are you doing?” She chomped down on her lip to keep from giggling like a schoolgirl. Her hands clutched his hips as she watched his butt muscles flex with each long stride.

“Taking you to my room, but I need you to reach in my back pocket and get my key card and open the door.”

“You could just put me down,” she said, though she didn’t want him to, so she slipped her hand into his loose-fitting jeans.

“Other side.” He stood in front of a door, and she felt up his firm ass, pulling out a card, and waving it in front of the door. “Did you enjoy that?” he mused as he pulled her off his shoulder and into his arms, tossing his hat and the food to a table in a massive foyer for a hotel room.

She answered by nibbling on his earlobe, sucking it into her mouth, twirling the soft skin with her tongue.

“Good Lord, you are a dangerous woman.”

“Not to be a buzzkill, but two things.” She buried her face in the crook of his neck as he maneuvered through an extravagant living room with a dark cloth sofa and two comfortable-looking green chairs. This room had to be more beautiful than any other she’d ever seen. JW kicked open the bedroom door.

“If one of them is a condom, I have one or two.”

“That was one concern.”

“And the other?” He laid her on the king-size bed, covered with a white plush comforter that glided like silk against her bare legs. His body sprawled out next to hers, his fingers toying with her hair just over her breast as she heaved in a breath, daring him to touch and take his fill.

She cupped his face, gazing into his smoky eyes, basking in his lust. “I’m not normally like this, considering I’ve been with only two men in the last three years, but I need to know that in a week, you’re going to walk out of my life.”

He traced his index finger over her lips. “You’re fun. Sexy. Intelligent, and I enjoy your company, but my life is in Idaho, and I’m not ready to be in a relationship with anyone, so walking away won’t be a problem.” He let out a long sigh. “We can go back out into the other room, eat our dinner, and just talk.”

“You could turn this off just like that?” she asked, snapping her fingers.

“I might need a cold shower, but yes, if that’s what you wanted.”

She shook her head. “I want you like I haven’t wanted a man in a long time. But it’s just sex.”

“So, now you’re turning it off just like that.” He cocked his head back. The corner of his mouth tipped upward into a sexy smile.

“I suppose so,” she said with a laugh. “This is so not me.”

“Well, I’m not normally the one-night stand kind of guy.”

“So, we’ll make it a few days.”

“I think I’m going to like my stay in Baltimore,” he said, kissing her chest, his hand gently lifting the rim of her tank top.

She closed her eyes and let her other senses take over. His callused hands grazed her skin as he slid her shirt over her head. The cold air-conditioning coated her burning skin. His musky pine scent filled the room as if they were in a meadow. His lips lavished her stomach with soft kisses. Goosebumps tickled her body as his hands clutched her breasts, his fingers slinking under her bra, skimming across her tight nipple.

Reaching over his shoulders, she tugged at his shirt, yanking it harder than she’d planned, but she needed to feel his skin. Needed to touch and kiss his body. She told herself the desperation was only because she hadn’t had sex with anything other than a toy in almost a year. While there was something to be said for self-pleasuring, feeling the hardness of a man on top of you—or underneath you—couldn’t be substituted.

Her hands roamed his taut stomach muscles, fumbling with the button on his jeans while he unhooked her bra, tossing it on the floor. He paused his movement, staring at her breasts. She swallowed, fighting the urge to cover herself.

A slow shiver crept along her skin starting at her toes and ending at every erogenous zone she knew about and a few she hadn’t yet discovered.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

Her chest heaved up and down, watching him lick his full lips before drawing a nipple into his mouth, destroying any doubt she might have had over his desire.

She arched her back, fingers tugging desperately at his zipper. His hand covered hers as he eased himself off the edge of the bed. “We’re in no rush.”

“Speak for yourself. I haven’t had sex with a man in over a year.” Gasping for air, she wasted no time removing his pants and underwear, kissing his rock-hard stomach. His chiseled muscles were that of a perfect sculpture. His skin was soft and supple. His moans encouraged her to take him into her hands, stroking gently.

His body was meant to be worshiped, and she wasn’t about to let any of it go untouched. She’d always been reserved when it came to the male body. Her sexual experiences were limited to a handful of men, and she never quite knew what to do, even with guidance. But with JW, it all changed. It was as if a lightbulb had been turned on inside her libido, giving her the confidence to let instinct take over, leaving her insecurity on the floor with her undergarments.

She kissed the tip of his shaft before gliding her lips down his hard length. Boldly, she opened her eyes, catching his lust-filled gaze.

He smiled, and her stomach rolled—electricity shot from her toes to her fingertips. She gripped harder. Stroked faster. She wanted to please him in ways no one else ever had. She wanted to make sure this moment would be forever etched into his memory.

His hands fisted her hair as he groaned behind a clenched jaw. Raw power raced through her veins. Heat exploded between her legs. Every inch of her body ached and throbbed.

He yanked her hair, tilting her neck. “Lay back,” he said with a throaty groan. He pushed her back with a soft touch, kneeling in front of her, undoing her shorts, ripping them off her in one yank.

Before she could catch her breath, his head was between her legs, kissing her intimately. With every swirl of his tongue, her body shuddered.

“Oh my,” she whispered, resting her feet on his shoulders, running her fingers through his thick, dark hair. Her hips rolled in an involuntary motion against his mouth. Everything in the room blurred out into a grainy image, except JW.

She held her breath, trying to hold back her orgasm, savoring every slight quiver, building up to… “Oh, God.” She moaned, staring at him as he brought her to the edge. His gentle touch was both sweet and demanding.

She jerked in a violent wave like heavy winds sending the ocean crashing into the shore. He continued to shower her with soft kisses, palming her as he made his way up her stomach, stopping at her breasts, nipping at her nipples.

He slipped two fingers inside, fanning his thumb over her swollen nub. “Do that again for me?” he asked, staring into her eyes.

“God, I hope so,” she whispered. Clamping down around his fingers, she concentrated on his movement, grinding against him. His full lips curled into a sexy smile as she rocked her hips, gripping his shoulders, digging her nails into his flesh.

“I have to have you.” He managed to cover himself in protection before lifting her off the bed and carrying her to the oversized chair in front of the window.

“Like this?” She straddled him, his hardness slipping slowly into her as his one hand caressed her breast and his other clenched her hips, rolling her back and forth.

“Just like this,” he murmured, staring into her eyes.

The lights from outside illuminated the window, casting a glow over their bodies, daring her to catch their silhouettes.

Leaning up, he popped her nipple into his mouth, looking intently at the window, their eyes meeting in the neon lights.

“Yes,” she whispered, gliding her hand down his firm chest, over his stomach, feeling it quiver under her touch.

She rocked against him, gently rubbing herself.

His moans grew gruffer as he raised his hips, thrusting while they both admired their lovemaking.

Tossing her head back, she tightened herself around him, feeling her juices coat him as her orgasm spilled out. His name rolled off her tongue over and over again.

He palmed her ass, driving himself into her, holding her with both hands, controlling her movement until she felt him swell, and he steadied himself deep inside, holding her still for a long moment.

“You’re amazing,” he said between labored breaths.

He pulled her tight, burying his head in her neck, rocking her gently back and forth.

“I think I just died and went to Baltimore heaven,” he whispered.

* * *

JW stood in front of the microwave, tapping his fingers against the counter as if that would make the food heat up any faster.

Not only was he starving, but he wanted to climb back in bed with the sexy redheaded raven. He’d had great sex before. Mind-blowing even. But what had just happened, and the way they watched each other in the window, was something out of his realm of understanding. There were no words to describe how he’d felt in the moment or how it would forever be the best he’d ever had.

And he selfishly wanted more.

Before the timer dinged, he pulled the loaded sausages out and tossed them on a couple of plates, setting them on a tray next to a couple of beers and headed toward the bedroom. Kitty…Kitty…fuck, he hadn’t a clue what her last name was. What a goddamned moron he turned out to be. He could hear his grandmother cussing him out from beyond.

He pushed open the door using his ass and smiled. Kitty had put on his green button-down shirt. She’d pulled her wavy hair to the side, twisting it in one hand, holding her phone in the other.

“I’ll check in with you in the morning, Dad, I promise.” She sat cross-legged in the center of the bed. “Love you too, Dad.”

“You called your father?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I moved home after my divorce and just didn’t want them to worry about me staying out all night.”

“That’s nice, but a little presumptuous that I’d invite you to spend the night when I don’t even know your last name.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“I was kidding on the presumptuous part; I’d be disappointed if you didn’t spend the night.” He set the tray of food on the bed in front of her, twisting off the cap of both beers before handing her one.

“It’s not that.” She took the beer, taking a healthy swig. “I can’t believe I never told you my last name.”

He climbed on the bed, trying not to rustle it too much. “So, Kitty. What is your full name?” He took one of the sausages, heaving half of it in his mouth, leaning over the plate as the onions and peppers slipped out of the bun.

She handed him a napkin. “Cat Renee O’Doole.”

“Nice Irish name,” he mused, reaching out and tucking some of her hair behind her shoulder.

“I’m about as Irish as they come, ‘tis I am.”

He laughed at the perfectly played accent. “So, tell me. What are you studying?”

“Education. Specifically, early childhood development.” Her skinny fingers plucked out a yellow pepper, popping it into her mouth.

He had half a mind to suck that vegetable right out.

“What does that mean exactly?” He fluffed the pillows, leaning back. His hand tangled in her red locks.

“I want to be an elementary or preschool teacher.” She took a lady-like bite of her food, pushing herself against the pillows, stretching out her legs, the tray of food and beer between them.

“If you don’t mind me getting personal—”

She held up two fingers. “You just gave me two orgasms, and you think I mind personal?”

God, she was going to be the death of him. “Point taken.” He swallowed, taking a small sip of courage. “You’re what, twenty-seven?”

She nodded.

“Why haven’t you finished your degree?” It wasn’t any of his business. In a few days, he’d get on a plane and head back to Idaho, only taking with him a memory…

Of the best he’d ever had.

“I didn’t go to college after high school, and while my ex hated the idea of me working, he put up with me going to college, part time.”

“Put up? Fuck. He’s an asshole.”

“He is that, but this had more to do with some manly misguided ego,” she said.

“I’ll repeat what I said the other day. You should have taken his money.”

“I’m doing fine without it. I’m hoping to be done with my undergrad by next summer if everything goes as planned.”

His heart skipped a beat. He’d been born dirt poor and understood having to settle. He’d been one of the lucky ones that not only had he had a lucrative career as a bull rider and cowboy, but his mentor had taken him in, given him a job, and now that ranch belonged to JW, and it more than supported him and his siblings. Now if he could just get his riding school off the ground, he’d be happy. “You’re a good woman, Kitty O’Doole. But I’m damn glad you’re going after your dreams now.”

“I’m still young, so I don’t feel like I’m all that behind.” She dropped her half-eaten food on the plate, wiping her hands with a napkin, then tilted her head. “How old are you?”

“I’ll be thirty-five on my next birthday.”

“When is that?” she asked.

“New Year’s Eve.”

“And now it’s my turn to get personal,” she said.

“Yeah, because I only had one orgasm. We might have to do something about that.” The comfort level he shared with Kitty he’d never had with Bella. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been this relaxed in the presence of a woman. Not that he didn’t have a fair amount of confidence, but women always made him twitch, even the one he’d loved.

“I might be able to take care of that if you tell me what you do for a living.”

“That’s actually a loaded question.” He took the tray and set it on the floor next to the bed and sipped his beer. It was nice not to have someone know who he was. Not that he was a well-known celebrity, but in his circle, he was about as famous as they came. “Currently, I’m a ranch owner and trying to get a bull riding school off the ground, but I also hold a world record regarding my time on the backside of a bull.”

“A bull, as in a real live thing with horns?”

He nodded, letting out a slight laugh. Kitty had a way of making him feel like he was just some regular guy. Not the man who’d spent a month in the spotlight trying to prove his innocence, and even when he had, still got treated as though he’d beat a woman.

Something he’d never do.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know much about the sport, but I imagine it’s quite dangerous.”

He took her hand, placing it palm down on his side. “I’ve broken just about every rib I have. I’ve dislocated both shoulders. More than once. I’ve torn my ACL and have had three concussions.”

“Please tell me your bull riding days are over.”

“Mostly. I still compete in some shows and exhibitions.”

She set her longneck on the nightstand and turned. “Now I’m going to be really nosey, but is bull riding how you made your money? Or were you born into it?”

“Why do I get the feeling that rich people, because of your ex, offend you?”

“Offend isn’t the right word, and I’m sorry if I’m prying. You owe me nothing, so no biggie if you don’t answer.”

“I don’t mind talking about it.” He laced his fingers between hers, staring at how they fit together like his favorite leather bull riding gloves. “My parents and grandparents were ranch hands on the ranch I own now. I was born a ranch hand and poor, but the man that used to own it took a shine to me the second he saw my first bull ride when I was six. He offered my family residence on the ranch, and we took it.”

“Six years old?” Her eyes grew wide with shock and concern.

He smiled, kissing the back of her hand. “Both my parents were bull riders, but they never made it to the level of success I had, and I owe that to my mentor, Chuck Holland. He taught me everything I know. I broke my first world record when I was sixteen.”

“That’s amazing. Your parents must be so proud.”

“I’m sure they would have been. They died in a train crash when I was fifteen.”

She gasped, covering her mouth. “Shit. I’m so sorry.”

“It was difficult to lose them so young, but my grandparents and Chuck made sure my siblings and I were well taken care of.”

“Is your grandfather still alive?” She nibbled on her fingernail, her green eyes glimmering concern and kindness.

“He died a few months before my grandmother.”

“And Chuck Holland?” she asked.

He should have clammed up, considering she seemed to be taking his entire past to heart. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel bad.

At least she didn’t pity him.

“He died three years ago. Having no family of his own, he left my siblings and me the ranch.”

She palmed his cheek. “You’ve suffered a lot of losses.”

He nodded. “I wish I could bring them all back, but I’m grateful for the time I had with them.”

She twisted her body, straddling him. Her fingers dug into his shoulders. Her gaze pierced through his soul, taking his breath away. “You’re a special man,” she whispered right before her rosy lips brushed over his. Then like a feather floating in the air, she dabbled his chest with sweet kisses.

“Nothing special about me.” He gathered her hair, gently pushing it to the side.

Her eyelids fluttered as her tongue made a trail down the center of his stomach, making his muscles tense and twitch. He sucked in a breath when her deft fingers unhooked his pants, rolling them over his hips and down his legs.

He hissed when her tongue darted out of her mouth, flicking over the tip, a slight smile forming on her lips.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered.

“Name’s Kitty,” she said, stroking him in a slow, circular motion, staring at him with those sea-green eyes.

“You’re driving me mad, Kitty.”

“That’s the point.” With her gaze locked on his, she took him into her hot mouth. Her lips glided over him like hot steam coating a mirror. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she devoured him, making his pulse skyrocket.

His chest rose up and down with each labored breath. Curling his toes, he forced himself to remain still. She was as soft as a silk robe and as hot as the summer sun.

He reached toward the nightstand, fumbling for a condom. “Come here.” He tugged her hair, her fingers replacing her mouth.

Shoving her on her back, spreading her legs, he smiled at her perfectly pink womanhood with just a trickle of hair curling above her tight nub. Her nipples poked against the fabric of his shirt. Her smile sent him right over the edge.

He drove himself inside her with one long, hard thrust.

“Oh, God,” she muttered, arching her back, welcoming him inside.

“Name’s JW.”

She reached up, clasping her hands behind his neck, shoving her tongue deep in his mouth, grinding her hips.

Losing all control, he slammed himself into her, moving the bed with every plunge. He swallowed all her moans, sucking on her luscious, quivering lips, praying her body would shudder long before his did.

He ripped open her shirt, popping off at least two buttons, twisting her nipple with his thumb and forefinger, desperate for her gratification. She indulged him with a soft, decadent groan that grew louder with every stroke until she cried out his name, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist.

She trembled as his climax spilled out, sending one throbbing shockwave after the other across his muscles. His chest surged forward, lungs burning, unable to catch his breath.

He eased his weight onto his elbows. For the next five minutes, they rocked gently against one another, kissing each other tenderly until she completely relaxed under him, letting out a long sigh.

“I have a craving for chocolate cake,” she whispered.

“I’ll call room service.”

“Now I’ve died and gone to Baltimore heaven.”

Chapter Six

JW slipped from the bed and made his way to the living room. He left the bedroom door open so he could peek in and watch the red-haired beauty sleep. For a half a second, he felt like a creeper, but then Kitty sighed and rolled to her side, showing off her muscled thigh.

It would prove challenging to get her out of his blood. As soon he returned to Idaho, he’d have to dive into work. That might make the days go by without too many flashes of his short-lived affair with Kitty.

But how the hell was he going to get through the nights?

After making a pot of coffee, he flipped open his laptop. He might be on vacation, but he still had a ranch to run and bull riding school to deal with. He scanned his emails until he found the latest contracts for the purchase of Luke’s ranch.

JW clutched his chest as a sudden burn spread across his body. Bella had used Luke, plain and simple. She’d told JW in an email shortly after she admitted he never hit her, that she was trying to get JW’s attention and that she never meant for things to go that far.

She even tried to tell JW that Luke had forced her to have sex with him, but JW knew that was total bullshit and called her on it the one time he’d been in the same room with her after his arrest. Her father had told JW that had he been more attentive to his little girl, she would have never cheated.

Talk about fucked up.

He picked up his cell and found Luke’s phone number. Before he hit the call button, he made sure the contracts were on his computer screen.

The phone rang three times. “Do you have any idea what time it is here?” Luke asked.

JW glanced at the time flashing on his phone. “Seven and don’t tell me you’re not awake.” He took a sip of his coffee, slightly shocked he’d slept in so late. Then again, he and Kitty hadn’t drifted off until close to three.

“Your sister already woke me up.”

JW coughed. “What’s she doing out there this early?”

“She dropped off the signed contracts. We figure, the faster we do this, the less likely Robert will find a way to stop it and put the final coffin in my financial problems.”

JW’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach. While the purchase of Luke’s ranch would make a massive difference in his family’s business, it sucked that he was putting Luke out of his. “I’m sorry, I haven’t read all the reports; how bad is your situation?”

“Stop right there. You’re not giving me a handout,” Luke said with tightness in his voice. “We came to a fair price for my property. The rest of it is my problem, not yours.”

“I wouldn’t insult you like that. I just want to know what Robert and his daughter have done.” JW wondered if he would ever be out from under the destruction that family had brought to him, his family, and his friends.

A long silence filled the airways.

“Robert has the horse breeding business and my riding school.”

“How did that happen so quickly?” JW asked.

“After he started spreading rumors around about me and my business, he demanded I pay him everything I owed him, and when I looked at the fine print, he could call in the loans at any time. I couldn’t pay; he took over.”

“Even with the money for the ranch?”

“I could have paid it off, but honestly, I don’t want it anymore. Half the employees have walked off, and I get the satisfaction of you kicking his sorry ass off your land.”

JW chuckled. “I will enjoy doing that.” But he wouldn’t enjoy watching Luke have to pack up and move. “You can stay on as long as you want.”

“I’m out of here next month. My sister has been bugging me for years to spend more time with her and her kids. Well, now she’ll have me full time.”

JW adjusted his chair and clicked open the files his sister had sent over. She’d been all but defending Luke ever since JW had found him screwing his fiancée. JW cut his sister a lot of slack when it came to Luke. There was nothing worse than not having your love returned, but once Luke and Bella hooked up, Georgia Moon should have written him off.

But she hadn’t.

“This is a crazy question, and I’m not even sure why I’m asking it. But how the hell did you end up in bed with Bella Brothers?” No sooner did the question fly from his mouth, did he find the answer in the documents from his sister. “Well, fuck me, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what? That I had a secret affair with Bella before you did? I didn’t see the point. She and I were on again off again until you pulled that bull off of me right before he crushed my head. She couldn’t deal with the fact I might be crippled, and frankly, I couldn’t deal with her anymore. We had been broken up for a year when you and she hooked up.”

“Why did you sleep with her that night? Georgia Moon swears that was the only time when Bella and I were together.”

“It was, though not for lack of trying on Bella’s part.”

JW took a long sip of his hot, bitter coffee, letting it burn his throat. He wasn’t mad, or even hurt anymore, at least not by Bella, but he’d be lying if he said Luke’s betrayal didn’t still sting.

“I have no excuse or valid reason. When Bella wants something, she comes after it, and she and her father wanted my land and my business, and they nearly got it all.”

“Jesus,” JW muttered. “And to think I nearly merged my school with his.” He balled his fist. “You should have warned me that Bella didn’t love me and that she was just doing her father’s bidding.”

Luke laughed. “I didn’t know about you and Bella until it was too late. Anything I said about her, you took it the wrong way. Besides, I didn’t know how they operated until you were arrested. They didn’t start coming after my business and land until you and Bella made your big relationship announcement.”

JW pinched the bridge of his nose. “None of this explains why you’d go to bed with her again.” Why did he keep asking the question? He glanced into the bedroom. Kitty lay on her side with a pillow between her legs, her hands tucked up under her sweet face.

“I thought if I gave her what she wanted, she’d be able to get her father to back off on collecting on the loans early.”

JW took in a deep, calming breath. For the last three months, he wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, Bella had loved him.

But Bella loved one person.

Herself.

“You should have to come to me with your problems.”

“I should have done a lot of things differently, but I didn’t. What’s done is done. Florida will be a good move for me.”

“I hate that they are running you out of town,” JW said.

“Don’t be. I’m looking forward to being with my sister. Oh, not that you care, but I’m sure you heard all about Bella and her new career.”

“Georgia Moon mentioned something.”

“Yeah, well, she’s got herself some agent or manager, and he’s starting to book her some gigs across the country. I can’t figure out what the payoff is for her or her dad, but if I were you, I’d keep her at least in your radar. It might appear that they have backed off, but take it from me, neither Robert nor his daughter know how to back away from anything.”

Kitty rolled to her back, stretching her arms overhead and sighed.

“I’ll take that under advisement. Be well, Luke.” The last thing JW wanted was to be in a foul mood when Kitty graced him with her presence. “If you need anything, let me or my siblings know.”

“Will do.”

The line went dead.

JW snagged another mug and poured a cup of coffee for Kitty. He rested it on a tray with some fruit, a couple of pastries, and two mimosas. He’d never had one but figured why the hell not.

“Good morning, sunshine,” he said as he set the tray on the bed. “Sleep well?”

She brushed her unruly hair out of her face and scooted to a sitting position. “What time is it?”

“Just after ten.”

“Shit. I have to get going soon. I’m working noon to eight tonight.”

“So, should I have an early dinner at the bar or a late one with you?” JW rested his head in her lap and enjoyed a gentle scalp massage while he gazed into her sultry green eyes.

“I know where you're going with this.”

He laughed. “My time is limited and call me crazy, but I want you sleeping in this bed again tonight.”

“You are crazy, but I must be right there with you because I’m contemplating it.”

He rolled to his side, kissing her thigh. “I’m contemplating something else.”

“Guess I’m going to save a horse today and ride me a cowboy.”

* * *

“Dad told me you stayed out all night…with a friend.”

Kitty’s brother, Keith, perched himself at the end of the bar sporting a shit-eating grin. They were nearly five years apart in age, and she used to worry that Kevin was going to end up in jail or worse. The one good thing that came from her marriage was that her little brother had finally cleaned up his act.

“I hung out with Dorinda.”

“You might be able to lie to Mom and Dad, but I’m calling your bullshit, thanks to the fact that Dorinda told me all about that handsome cowboy you spent yesterday with.”

Kitty narrowed her stare as she scanned the room for Dorinda. She’d have to share a few choice words with her best friend. The last thing she needed was for her little brother to start playing matchmaker right alongside Dorinda.

Now that would suck.

“You spent the night with him, didn’t you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“So, you did spend the night with him.” Keith clapped his hands together. “Finally, you’re moving on with your life.”

She cocked her head while she towel-dried a few mugs. “I’ve been moving on for a long time, but I still don’t have time or room for a relationship, so don’t go moving me out of the house. Speaking of which, how is the new place?”

“You’ve always been good at changing the subject.” He tapped his finger on the menu just over the shepherd’s pie meal, holding two fingers up.

Her brother didn’t have a big palate, and that was one of his favorites. “To go?”

He nodded. “I like it, but we’re both so tired after work that we’ve barely had time to furnish it yet.”

“Better to take it slow and get what you want.” She poured a beer for one of the regulars who sat at the other end of the bar. The restaurant was always slow on Tuesday nights, but tonight it was slower than usual, and now that the dinner rush was mostly over, she didn’t expect the bar would pick up too much until maybe after she was off, though they had no live music tonight, so maybe not.

“What I want is to help you.” He pushed an envelope across the table. “It’s not much, but it will help with books.”

“I’m not taking your money. You and Jessica want to get married, have kids; you need to save for your future.”

“I took your money, so I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Tentatively, she rested her fingers over the paper. “Have you talked to Jessica?”

“She’s fine with it. We put it into our budget.”

“Thank you.” Tears welled in Kitty’s eyes. She quickly stuffed the envelope in her pocket. “I’ll put your order in.” She pushed back the doors into the kitchen, gripped the metal counter, and sucked in a deep breath. Her brother had always been a kind soul, but she hadn’t expected this kind of generosity, and it took a lot to swallow her pride of being the older, protective sister. For him, this was more than payback. It was about being a man, and she wouldn’t strip him of that dignity.

And her books cost an arm and a leg.

Goosebumps spread across her skin like a tidal wave. She smoothed down her jeans, collected herself, and stepped back out into the bar just as JW sauntered through the front door. Every female head turned in his direction, but he smiled only at her, tipping that sexy hat. Last night, she’d asked him if he’d consider leaving her the hat as a souvenir. He replied with a wet kiss and a flat-out no.

He actually said the word no five times, shaking his head like a small boy being asked to go to bed early.

“Hey there,” he said, setting his hat on the table. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“That’s rich.” She pulled a Stella glass from the rack, filling it to the top. “This is my brother, Keith.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m JW.” He held his hand out. “I guess your father wrote the full name out for you before pulling it from a hat.”

Kitty laughed.

Keith frowned.

“Keith is his middle name. His given name is Zebulon.”

“A what-a-lon?” JW asked with arched brows.

“Zebulon,” Keith said, giving her the evil eye. “It’s an ancient biblical city or something.”

“And how did your parents come up with that one?” JW seemed genuinely interested, only making it harder for her to be around him. He was the kind of man that could break her heart.

Keith rolled his eyes. “They didn’t. She did.” He waggled a finger under her face. “She loved to read as a kid, and when our mom went into labor with me, I guess the only thing there for her to read was the bible. My parents let her toss a name into the mix, and for some reason, they thought I should have a weirder name than my sister.”

“Here’s to odd names.” JW held his glass up.

“JW isn’t so odd.” Keith held his glass high.

“Maybe not. But going through life as Johnnie Walker Whiskey has had its share of strange moments.”

Keith burst out laughing.

Kitty leaned her hip against the counter. Her heart fluttered with excitement thinking about the backpack she’d brought to work, which contained a sexy nighty and a change of clothes, though she doubted she’d spend much time in either one of them if last night were any indication.

The front door whooshed open, and her mood soured.

“Christ. Preston would never set foot in a place like this when I was married to him, and he says he’s not here to bother me,” she muttered, staring at her ex-husband who strolled into the bar with his buddy, Eric, who had been his best man at the wedding. Eric called himself a manager of up-and-coming singing sensations, but his clientele had never even recorded an album. Being the son of a billionaire meant he could do whatever he wanted and not worry about if he made a dime or dollar.

“I wasn’t going to tell you, but he offered me a job,” Keith said.

“He told me,” she said. Her stomach churned as Eric stuck his nose in the air. He’d made it quite clear at the wedding that he thought she was trash and certainly didn’t approve of the union.

“What were his parents smoking when they named him Preston? Really. Just a dumbass name. Our names, on the other hand, are unique and special.” JW winked, giving her a wicked smile. He had a way of easing her nerves.

She wanted to lean across the bar and plant a wet kiss on his adorable face. In less than a week, she’d fallen in heavy like with the man.

Dorinda sat Preston and Eric at a table near the front of the restaurant, but Preston didn’t sit down. Nope. He had to come over and annoy the hell out of her, her brother, and JW.

“Well, isn’t this cozy,” Preston said, standing with his back to JW, facing Keith. “Have you given my offer any more consideration?” Preston asked.

“I’m happy with my current position, thank you,” Keith said.

JW leaned across the bar, waggling his index finger. “Come here,” he whispered.

“Not if you’re going to get me in trouble.” Her lips turned up into a wide smile as she glanced around the pub. All the workers were busy taking care of customers, and her bosses were nowhere to be found.

JW reached across the counter, tugging at her braid. “You left me half naked in the shower, and I’ve been lonely ever since.”

“Shhhh….” She held her finger to her lips, but honestly, she didn’t care if half the restaurant heard his declaration as long as it made Preston uncomfortable.

His warm fingers curled around the back of her neck as he drew her closer, kissing her cheek. “How long do I have to wait for you to get off work?”

“I’m off at eight.”

“Then you better bring me some food.” His lips brushed hers softly, like a sweet butterfly kiss.

Preston cleared his throat. “Kitty. Can I speak to you alone?”

“Anything you have to say to her, you can say in front of me.” JW held her stare as he tipped his beer, taking a slow sip. How he managed to smile while drinking, she had no idea.

She never did take too well to the chest pounding between men, but when JW did it, he seemed less like a Neanderthal and more like a gentleman protecting those he cared about. Not that he cared about her, because that would be nuts. They barely knew each other, and all they wanted from one another was a physical release they both desperately needed.

“It’s personal,” Preston said, hands planted on his hips, with his lower lip curled like a spoiled schoolboy.

She hated that look and generally caved in just to get him to stop. “Fine,” she muttered.

JW arched a brow.

“I’ll be right back.” She stepped around the bar, following Preston to the corner, out of earshot of her brother and JW, but not out of their eyesight as both men stared in her direction.

“What do you want?”

Preston jutted his chin in the direction of the bar. “Do you have any idea who that man is?”

“I do,” she said, anger prickling her skin. “And if that is why you called me over, then you’re wasting both of our time.”

“He looks familiar. Like I’ve seen him somewhere before. I don’t think he’s being truthful with you.”

“He’s not from around here and certainly not someone you or your friends would socialize with,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

“Wait a second, that’s not the only thing I wanted to talk to you about. Eric’s new girlfriend is coming into town, and he’s trying to set up gigs for her to sing.”

“I’m not the person to ask.”

“I know. He called and got the runaround. We were hoping you could put in a good word.”

“Seriously?” She let out a sarcastic laugh, glancing in Eric’s direction. “As if I’d do him any favors.”

“I’m asking you, not Eric.” Preston pulled a card out of his back pocket. “Whoever makes the decisions can hear her stuff online.”

“I’m sure we’re booked.”

“Will you just ask?”

“No. I’m not going to call in a favor with my boss for you or Eric.” She turned on her heels. She owed him nothing, and she wouldn’t feel bad for saying no. Stepping behind the bar, she let out a long exasperated breath.

“Want me to go tell him to fuck off?” Keith asked.

“Thanks, little brother, but it won’t be necessary.” One of the servers brought out her brother’s to-go order.

“That smells fantastic,” JW pointed to the take-out bag. “What is it?”

“Why don’t I just put an order in for you, and you can find out,” she teased, running her fingers over his thick biceps.

He cocked his head. “Should I be scared?”

“You’re dating my sister, you should always be scared,” Keith said.

She focused on JW’s Adam’s apple, which bobbed as he took a large gulp of his beer.

“I wouldn’t say we’re dating.” The sound of her voice was barely audible. She didn’t want to insult JW, but they had agreed that this was a one-week fling. Just two people attracted to one another, enjoying each other’s company until they parted ways. No strings attached.

“Well, whatever it is you’re doing, looks like you’re going to have to explain it to Mom and Dad.” Keith pointed to the front door.

“Oh fuck,” she muttered.

JW’s arm jerked, knocking over his beer. “God damn it.”

“Keith cut them off at the pass. Talk them into a table.”

“I’ll try.” Keith snagged his food and raced to the center of the restaurant, stopping to give their mom a hug and a kiss as she waved frantically over his shoulder.

“If they sit at the bar, you can either move to a table, or I’ll pretend I don’t know you.”

“It could be fun to sit here and listen to them grill you about where you spent last night and where you plan on sleeping tonight.” He helped her wipe the beer off the counter.

“You do that, and I won’t come over tonight.”

He glanced over his shoulder. Her parents were only five feet away. “I’d love to meet your parents,” he said loud enough that half the bar heard.

Chapter Seven

JW had no idea why he’d opened his stupid mouth. He’d made a potentially awkward situation insanely uncomfortable for himself and Kitty. What would she tell her parents when he took off back to Idaho, never to be heard from again?

And how would that make him look?

More importantly, why did he care?

“What are you guys doing here?” Kitty asked, tossing a towel over her shoulder in an attempt to act casual, but since she wrinkled her forehead, she was anything but casual.

“We’re going to the movies, but your father got the time wrong, and we have about forty-five minutes to kill,” her mother said. JW gazed at the striking woman, just like Kitty with her red hair and green eyes.

Despite his second-guessing, he pulled out a stool.

“Why thank you,” her mother said, giving him a slight smile and a curious stare. “I’m not sure how to ask this—”

“Then don’t ask, Shannon,” her father said with a stern, but playful tone. He too had red hair, though JW couldn’t be entirely sure since the man was bald, but his goatee was bright red. Redder than Kitty’s hair, which JW didn’t think possible, and seeing the strong genes made him wonder what kids with Kitty might look like.

Oh, for fuck’s sake, don’t go there.

“But I overheard him say he wanted to meet us, so I just want to know who he is and why,” her mother said. She had a sweet ring to her voice. Almost Southern.

“This is JW,” Kitty said, setting a beer in front of her father and a glass of white wine in front of her mother.

“It’s a pleasure.” Her father reached across the bar, extending a hand. “I’m Patrick, and this is my lovely, but somewhat nosey bride, Shannon.”

“Nice to meet you both.” A pang of hurt squeezed his heart. While his grandparents and Chuck had made a fantastic home for him and his younger siblings after his parents died, he missed them more than anything. Being the oldest, he remembered the most about them, which made it harder on him in some ways.

“So, JW, how long have you known my Kitty?” Shannon asked, lifting her glass and taking a small sip while keeping her cool-blue eyes locked on him. Her tone was neither accusatory nor aggressive, but it did toss him into the endless pit of nothing as he opened his mouth, and absolutely no words came out. He couldn’t tell her the truth.

“Long enough,” Kitty said, shaking her head.

“Oh, good grief, what is he doing here?” Patrick said, jerking his head toward the front of the restaurant.

“It’s a free country, Dad, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t engage him in any way.”

“That’s fine with me,” Shannon said, resting her fingers on JW’s biceps, patting gently. “I’d rather talk to your new friend. He’s so much more handsome…and seems so sweet.”

He reached for his hat, wanting to hide under it as his cheeks burned, but Kitty snatched it right from his hands, smiling wickedly as if she enjoyed his embarrassment.

“Not inside.” She waggled a playful finger at him before plopping it on her head.

“You can wear it, but I can’t?” he asked, painfully aware that her mother was staring at him with an amused smile.

“We’ve already established it looks better on me, now entertain my parents while I fill some drinks, and your dinner should be up soon.”

He swallowed, searching his brain for something interesting to say, but everything that came to mind would be inappropriate in front of her parents.

“What do you do, JW?” Patrick asked in a fatherly tone, folding his arms across his chest.

“I own a ranch.” JW thought that sounded better than former world-class bull rider. Not that it mattered. He didn’t need to impress these people.

His grandmother would pinch him right now if she heard his thoughts. She’d taught him to always respect his elders.

“In Baltimore?” Shannon screeched.

Shit.

“In Idaho,” he said, taking in a deep breath, making sure he kept eye contact, even though he wanted to run like hell. He raised his beer to his lips.

Shannon raised her glass halfway, then frowned, setting it back on the wood counter. “You plan on moving my baby to Idaho?”

JW choked and coughed on the bubbly liquid that had been sucked down the wrong pipe.

“I will apologize for my wife,” Patrick said. “She has our son married with four children, all their names picked out, and he just moved in with his girlfriend.”

“But how can they have a relationship if he—”

“I plan on visiting a lot.” JW heard the words; he just had a hard time believing they came out of his mouth. He’d promised Kitty he would walk out of her life when she went back to her class schedule. Two days ago, he thought that would be easy. Today, the idea made his eye twitch.

“She’s focused on school,” Patrick said, resting his arm on the counter. “Something she keeps putting off.”

“One of the reasons why I’ll come here to visit instead of asking her to come to see me, so I don’t interfere with her classes.” Had he lost his mind? Not only was he digging a deep hole to bury his heart, but Kitty was also going to scratch his eyes out.

“Sounds like you’ve thought this through,” Shannon said, swirling the barstool.

He hadn’t considered anything. “I like your daughter. She’s something special.”

“That she is,” Patrick said.

Before he could stick his other foot in his mouth, Kitty stepped through the kitchen door, carrying a plate of food.

He pointed to the mush. “That’s what your brother ordered?”

“Just eat it. Trust me, you’ll like it.” Kitty narrowed her eyes, glaring at him.

His little sister had always told him that when a woman looked at him like that, he might expect to sleep on the sofa.

“Can I get you anything else?” she asked her parents.

“Just the check. I don’t want to miss the previews,” her mother said.

“Put their drinks on my bill,” JW said, holding a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other, contemplating which utensil would serve him better considering the top layer of his dinner was mashed potatoes. He’d never seen such a concoction.

“Thank you,” Shannon said, giving him a little pat on the shoulder. “Maybe your next visit, you can come over for dinner.”

“I’d love to.” His smile quickly turned into a frown as Preston made his way across the bar.

“Dad, please don’t make a scene,” Kitty said.

“That all depends on what your ex-husband has to say,” her father said.

“Her ex has already spoiled my meal,” JW mumbled under his breath.

“Mr. and Mrs. O’Doole, what a pleasure it is to see you.” Preston stood in front of her parents with his arms stretched out to the side as if he were waiting for a hug.

Her father crossed his arms, and her mother smiled weakly before taking a sip of her wine.

“Preston,” her father said flatly. “What are you doing in a pub? It seems to be a little below your style.”

JW chuckled. He liked her parents.

“I was hoping we’d all be able to put the past behind us. I know Kitty and I have,” Preston said.

Patrick slammed his fist on the counter.

“Daddy, don’t,” Kitty said, reaching across the bar. She grabbed her father’s hand.

“Please tell me you haven’t forgiven this man for hitting you because he—”

“You hit her?” JW pushed the stool back so hard, he knocked it over. “He hit you?”

“This isn’t the time or place to get into it,” Kitty said behind a clenched jaw. “I’m a work, and I don’t need this kind of drama playing out.”

Preston raised his hands. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You hurt my little—”

JW interrupted her father. “You’ve done a lot wrong, and Kitty has been nothing but kind. However, if you don’t leave now, I won’t be so kind.” JW took two steps forward, standing only inches from Preston.

“Stop it,” Kitty said with a snarl. “You’re all acting like assholes.” She snapped her towel against the sink. “Preston, it’s best if you leave, and I highly recommend you stay clear of me, my family, and my friends.”

JW wanted to take Preston outside, but that would only serve to upset Kitty, and JW was sure it wouldn’t impress her parents. “I think that’s your cue to leave.”

Preston frowned. “I’ve apologized endlessly for what happened. I only want to make things right.”

“Then do as Kitty’s friend suggests and leave,” her father said.

“I’m sorry if I offended you.” Preston turned on his expensive loafers and waltzed off across the restaurant.

Her father lifted his drink and downed it in one gulp. “You need to tell that man to go screw himself.”

“He’s been showing up left and right, and while she’s been stern with him, she’s still too nice, which is why he won’t back down.” JW stared into the plate of food that Kitty had placed in front of him, avoiding the killer stare that if looks could kill, would have put him six feet under.

“I don’t need any of you telling me how to handle my ex.” Kitty tossed the dishtowel over her shoulder. “Don’t you two have a movie to catch?”

“Kitty, don’t be like that,” her mother said right before she finished off her wine. Shannon stood, brushing down the front of her slacks. “Your father and I only want to protect you from the likes of him.”

“I’m a grown woman and completely capable of taking care of myself, and you don’t have to worry, Preston will never be in my life again.”

“Good,” her father said, leaning over the bar and taking her into his arms. “We love you, and we’re so proud of you.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

“Will you be coming home tonight?” Shannon asked as she tossed her purse over her shoulder. “Or are you staying with JW?”

“Mom, really?”

JW bit back a smile.

“We just want to know so we don’t worry.”

“The jury is out on that front, but I’ll text you if I decide not to come home,” Kitty said.

“Fair enough.” Her father tossed a twenty on the counter. “Have a great night, you two.”

“It was nice meeting you both.” JW kissed Shannon on the cheek before shaking Patrick’s hand. He lifted the stool from the floor and adjusted himself at the bar. “Is this shepherd’s pie?” He dug the fork into the dish and stuffed his mouth. The assault of rich flavors from perfectly cooked beef, to the chives in the potatoes dancing over his taste buds, while delicious, did nothing to ease his growing concern he might not need the box of condoms he’d purchased a few hours ago.

“It is.”

“It’s really good,” he said. He took another mouthful, doing his best to keep his thoughts about finding out Preston had laid his hands on Kitty to himself. Now was not the time or place to have that discussion.

“Enjoy.” Kitty attended to the other patrons at the bar while he inhaled his food and contemplated his next move. While he wanted more information on how Preston had hurt her physically, he knew he couldn’t push too hard.

Not right this second, anyway.

But he did want to find the right words to express how much he wanted to continue spending time with her.

He’d finished half the dish when Kitty finally came back to his end of the bar and refilled his drink.

“Thank you.” He wiped his mouth and set the napkin on the plate. “Your parents are lovely.”

“Except for when you and my dad go pounding your chest and want to beat the crap out of my ex-husband.”

JW growled. “He hurt you, and your father only wants to protect you.”

“I get that, but then you go off half-cocked, and it doesn’t help matters much. And let's not forget that I asked you to entertain them, not make them think you’ll be coming back for dinner sometime because we’re in a long-distance relationship,” Kitty said, leaning her ass against the other side of the bar. “My mother is going to be up my ass about that for months now.”

“I wanted to talk to you about that,” he said. Nothing had felt right to him in the past couple of months, and then he had walked into McCurdy’s, and the jagged pieces of his life seemed to slide into place. Not that he wanted to move to Baltimore, he didn’t, and that was a problem. But he wanted to explore what it might be like to be with Kitty, and the only way to do that was to take a chance. “I’ve got a lot of frequent flyer miles that I need to use, and I thought I’d come back to Baltimore. I mean, it is a little slice of heaven.”

Yep. He’d gone crazy.

“My class schedule with work leaves no time for anything but studying.”

“I can help you with that.” He lowered his chin. “I do have a degree in business with a minor in communications.”

“That has nothing to do with small children. Do you know anything about how a toddler learns language and syntax rules?”

“I know I was a toddler at one time in my life.”

“You’re serious?” Her narrowed eyes grew wide. The crinkle in her forehead disappeared as her mouth fell open with a tiny gasp of surprise.

Or maybe it was shock.

“You want to come back and visit me?”

“I do,” he admitted. His pulse roared, reminding him of the misery the last woman in his life had caused.

But Kitty was no Bella.

“I want to see where this might go,” he said.

“It’s a recipe for disaster.” She inched forward, resting her elbows on the counter, her eyes now covered by the rim of his hat.

He tipped the brim. “You’re not saying no.”

“I haven’t said yes.”

The butterflies in his stomach fluttered with the excitement of a teenage boy about to see his first boob. “Do you have any vacation time you can take before classes start?”

“I’m an hourly employee; it doesn’t work that way,” she said, sticking her index finger between her lips. “Why do you ask?”

“I was thinking maybe we take a trip for a couple of days, get to know each other better, and take things from there.”

“I can’t afford to take a trip.”

He knew she was a proud woman, and he valued and respected that. He wouldn’t be the kind of boyfriend… well, fuck, he thought it, might as well go with it. “Let me take care of this trip. We don’t have to go anywhere extravagant. Hell, we can go camping or stay in a cheap motel. I just want to spend time with you.”

She chewed on her index finger. “What if we find out we can’t stand each other?”

“Then I won’t come visit on the weekends or when you’ve got time off from school.” He really should stop pushing. He had just as many reservations as she had, and the entire idea was ludicrous. The flight alone was six hours, and he couldn’t take a ton of time away from the ranch, not with the new school starting soon.

“I have some time off, so I could make it work.”

He dropped his fork.

“Don’t look so shocked,” she said. “You haven’t heard where I want to go.”

“Should I be scared?” he winked.

“I don’t know, is Idaho a scary place?”

All the air in his lungs escaped in one big swoosh. “You’d come back with me to Buhl, Idaho?” His mother and grandmother always told him he should be careful about what he wished for, and right now, his heart swelled with anticipation while his mind scolded him for rushing into something that would most definitely break one of their hearts.

“Preston took me to Europe on our honeymoon, and I got to travel with him and his family to a few exotic places, but in the US, I’ve never been outside of Baltimore or Florida, so Idaho seems like a great place to start some good old homegrown sightseeing. Besides, you’ve met my family; now it’s my turn.”

“Oh, Lord. I don’t know what is going to be more amusing. How my family reacts to you or how you handle my family.”

Kitty’s grin turned upside down.

JW laughed. “You have no idea what you’ve just gotten yourself into.”

Chapter Eight

Kitty took JW’s hand as he helped her into the passenger seat of his oversized pickup truck.

“Watch your step,” JW said as he patted her backside.

“Remind me to use the running boards when I get out of this thing; otherwise, I’m going to fall flat on my face.” She leaned forward, pulling down the visor in search of a mirror. Quickly, she pursed her lips and dabbed them with lip gloss before securing her seat belt.

“I’ll catch you if you fall,” JW said with a slight laugh. “Are you hungry?”

“Starved,” she admitted.

“There’s a great barbeque place on the way to the ranch.” JW pressed the start button, and the roar of a diesel engine came to life.

“Sounds great.”

JW rested his cell in the cradle that stuck out from the dashboard. “We’re about forty-five minutes from the ranch, and the restaurant is twenty. We can order it to go or stay and eat there.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing what a local watering hole looks like.”

“It’s a far cry from McCurdy’s, but there’s a mechanical bull, live music, and the best pulled pork known to man.”

She stared out the window at mountaintop after mountaintop. Lush green trees stretched up toward the massive blue sky. “I’ve been to the country before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as spectacular as this.”

“Wait until you see the blanket of stars at night while listening to the crickets sing.”

“I’ve always lived in the city. Even when I was married to Preston, our house wasn’t too far from the city limits, and our neighbors were so close if you had dinner in your backyard, you might as well have invited them over.”

“You can’t see my neighbors from my front porch or my pool area. Even the houses my siblings live in on the ranch are far enough that you wouldn’t know they were on the same piece of property.”

“Don’t you get lonely?”

“Never. I see my brothers and sister almost every day. Most nights we have dinner together. And then there is the bull riding school staff, not to mention a slew of other workers that live at the ranch. It’s like its own little town.”

“Small-town America,” she mused. Keeping her focus on the tall mountains in the distance, she rested her head against the window. The plane ride had been long, and the few-hours’ time change had already settled into her brain, making her body demand some rest.

Kitty tucked her feet up under her butt and glanced at JW.

He turned his head and smiled. “I still can’t believe you came here.”

“Me neither. It’s got to be the craziest thing I’ve ever done. I even shocked Dorinda.”

“I bet that’s hard to do.”

“You have no idea,” she said, pulling her hair to the side. She twirled it between her fingers. “When I was a little girl, I used to sit out on my parents’ rooftop, staring at the stars and dreaming about moving out of the city.”

“Why didn’t you move?” He rested one hand casually over the back of her seat while the other gripped the steering wheel.

“I lived with my parents until I got married. When I divorced Preston, I hadn’t two pennies to rub together, so I moved home. But I don’t think I was in the right mind to start over somewhere new.”

“What about when you finish school? Would you consider leaving Baltimore?”

“I suppose that depends on where I find a teaching job, and I have to consider I’ll need to jump right into a master’s degree program somewhere.”

“But you could do that anywhere, right?” JW kept his focus on the road.

She cocked her head and bit back a smile. “Theoretically, yes. But different states have different rules about certification.”

“What about your brother and parents? How would they feel if you moved away?”

“They would support me as long as I was taking care of myself, but there is nothing taking me out of Baltimore, and I love being close to family.” While she was flattered by the direction of the conversation, she needed to make sure JW understood that she still viewed this as a short-lived romance. She expected they would part ways without conflict and remember each other fondly.

At least that was what she hoped she’d be able to do, because the longer she stayed with JW, the longer her mind tried to work out ways to make a long-distance relationship seem plausible. She shoved the thought into the back of her mind. JW was a temporary distraction. Once school started, she’d have him out of her system.

“I can relate to that.” JW rolled the pickup to a stop. “Welcome to Pigs Pit.”

“That’s a horrible name for a bar and restaurant.” She pushed open the door and slid on her butt until her feet hit the running boards.

“But the food is great.” JW stepped in front of her and took her by the hips, easing her feet onto the pavement.

She reached up and snagged his hat, planting it firmly on her head.

“You can’t expect me to go in there without my Stetson.”

She giggled. “You don’t want me to look out of place, now do you?” She raised up on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Entangling their fingers, she said, “Lead the way.”

“Tomorrow, we’re going shopping to buy you your own damned cowboy hat.”

“Or perhaps you a new one.” Inside the restaurant, her nostrils were assaulted with the sweet smell of barbeque sauce, beer, and peanuts. Her stomach growled.

“Hey, JW,” the woman behind the hostess desk said. “Who is this lovely filly?”

“My name’s Kitty.” Kitty stuck out her hand.

“Nice to meet you.” The woman looked her up and down before turning her gaze back to JW. “Does this mean you want a table?”

“That would be great.” He rested his hand on Kitty’s hip and gave it a little squeeze.

The hostess sat them in the back corner, far from the band, which was nice, but a little too close to the mechanical bull. She stared at a young woman wearing a tank top that barely covered her large breasts. Her butt cheeks peeked out of her way-too-skimpy shorts. “I think you like looking at that more than the food, and that’s why you come.”

“That’s why I usually order takeout.”

Kitty laughed. “Good answer.”

The girl climbed up on the bull. “JW,” she said, waving frantically. “I bet you a round of drinks I’ll last over two minutes.”

“Mindy, you’re on,” JW said.

“Mindy? What the hell are you doing talking to him?” one of the girls surrounding the mechanical bull whispered loud enough for half the bar to hear.

“Don’t be a bitch,” Mindy said.

Kitty wanted to ask what that exchange was all about, only by the way JW’s face contorted as if he’d stubbed his toe, she thought better of it. “How do you know her?”

“Her brother and father work for me on the ranch. I’ve known her since she was born. Hard to believe she’s legal to drink these days.”

Kitty watched as Mindy’s body rolled back and forth while the mechanical bull twisted and turned in what seemed to be slow motion. “I could do that.”

JW laughed.

She smacked him playfully on the shoulder. “I bet I could last pretty long.”

The bull rotated left and right and bobbled up and down faster and faster, tossing Mindy to the padded cushions.

“Okay, maybe I misspoke,” Kitty mumbled.

“Minute-forty-five,” a man’s voice called out.

“You’re getting closer.” JW stood, leaning over the pen. He reached in and snagged Mindy by the arm, and she jumped over the railing, rubbing her ass. “But you’re still clenching too much with your thighs. Loosen up a little and feel the next movement.”

“Easy for you to say,” Mindy said with a bright smile. “What are you and your date drinking?”

“You don’t have to buy us drinks.” JW patted Mindy’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I do. How about a pitcher of beer?”

“If you insist.” JW slid back into the booth. “She’s a nice kid, but she’s going to be the death of her father. She’s sassy as hell and tends to run with bad boys.”

“Aren’t all cowboys bad?”

JW growled, shaking his head. “Is that like saying all Irish people are heavy drinkers?”

Kitty smiled. “I suppose it is.”

The waitress reached for the pitcher with a shaky hand but recoiled as soon as JW moved his frosted glass. “Are you ready to order?”

He let out a short breath and poured two glasses.

“What should I get?” Kitty asked, wondering if there was a history between the waitress and JW.

“We’ll both do the pulled pork plate with all the fixings.” JW handed the waitress the menus. “Put the hot sauce on the side, though.”

The waitress nodded before scurrying off to another table.

“She’s not very friendly,” Kitty said. If anyone in her restaurant behaved that way, not only would they get a shitty tip, but they ran the risk of being fired.

“She’s probably new, and this place is crowded tonight, so maybe she’s overwhelmed.”

She’d only known JW for a week, but she’d never seen his face so tense. His lips were drawn into a tight line, and his eyes grew dark and dangerous.

“So, you’ve never met her before?”

“Nope,” he said with a gruff tone.

Kitty glanced around the bar and noticed a few groups of men and women who constantly turned their heads in her direction. “Why is everyone staring at me? Have they not seen a redhead before?”

“It’s not you, it’s me. I haven’t been out with a woman since my breakup, so people are naturally curious idiots.” JW’s forehead wrinkled. “Most people in this bar know who I am either because of the ranch or my bull riding, but I only know a few and not well, except Mindy.”

“So, you’re a local celebrity, and everyone wants the scoop?” She toyed with the condensation dripping down the side of her glass while his gaze landed everywhere but on her. Back in Baltimore, JW didn’t seem to have a care in the world. One of the things that had attracted her to him had been his relaxed state, but now that he was back in his own stomping grounds, he’d changed, and she worried that maybe he regretted bringing her to his ranch.

“Something like that.”

“Maybe we should give them something to talk about?” She pressed her hands against the wood and leaned across the table, making sure she pressed her arms against the sides of her breasts, enhancing what little cleavage she had. Normally, she wouldn’t revert to such tactics, but whatever had soiled JW’s mood, she wanted to wash it away.

“We already have.” His smile finally returned as he took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He licked his lips before pressing them against hers gently. “Every man in this bar is wishing they were me right now.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Kitty said. “I need to use the little girls’ room.”

“Down that hall over there.” JW pointed across the room. “Don’t be gone too long.”

“Why? Will all the girls come try to steal my man?”

JW let out a hearty laugh. “Kitty O’Doole, you are good for my soul.”

She sauntered off toward the women’s bathroom, ignoring the stares of perfect strangers as she strolled by. No sooner did she flush the toilet and step from the stall, than a woman entered the small space.

“Are you here with JW?” a tall blonde wearing a short skirt and way too much makeup asked. She flicked her hip to the side and let out an exasperated breath.

“Why do you ask?” Kitty went about washing her hands, trying to squelch the bad feeling that sank to the pit of her stomach.

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

“No. I’m not.” Kitty snagged a paper towel and continued to stare at the woman in the mirror.

“If you were, you’d know that JW is bad news,” the woman said. “He’s dangerous, and if I were you, I’d stay clear of the man.”

Kitty tossed the paper towel into the trash. “Thanks for the warning, but I’m a grown woman and don’t need a stranger spewing shit about my boyfriend.” Without giving her a second glance, she pushed open the door and nearly bumped right into JW. “Whoa,” she said, flattening her hand against his firm chest.

“Boyfriend?” the woman asked as she stepped out of the bathroom. She stood to the right of JW. “If you’re dating him, then you’re making the biggest mistake of your life.” She flicked her hair.

“Well, that would be my mistake to make.”

“Back off, Bella,” JW said.

Kitty swallowed the lump that lurched from her gut to her throat. “You’re his ex-fiancée?”

“So, he told you about me? I bet you he didn’t tell you about—”

“Let’s go,” he said with a grim tone.

“Tell me what?” Kitty chomped down on her lower lip. She shouldn’t care what his ex had to say, but curiosity killed the cat.

“That JW is a—”

He stepped in front of Bella, turning his back to Kitty. “Stay away from me, my family, and my girlfriend.”

Bella tossed her hands wide and stumbled backward. “What the hell are you doing?”

Half the people in the bar collectively gasped.

“This isn’t happening again.” JW raked his hand through his hair. “You haven’t changed a bit,” he mumbled. “Come on, Kitty. Let’s go home.” He held up a bag. “I’ve got our food here, so let’s blow this place before I lose my appetite.”

Kitty took his hand and followed him out of the restaurant. But as soon as the night air hit her skin, she yanked her hand free. “What just happened in there?”

“That was my ex being a bitch.”

“How dare you talk about my little girl like that,” a man wearing dark jeans, a black shirt, and a dark velvet Stetson said as he leaned against a fancy SUV. “I just got a text from Bella. I should call the police for you getting physical again.”

“Physical?” Kitty blinked. “Nothing happened other than Bella following me into the bathroom and verbally attacking JW.”

Bella’s father let out a dry, menacing laugh. “I would suspect your latest notch on your bedpost would defend you. I just hope she doesn’t end up like my Bella did that day you be—”

“Fuck off, Robert,” JW said, taking two quick steps forward. “I’ve been kind to Bella in the press for the last few months; don’t push my hand because you know I could destroy her reputation in seconds.”

“You’re the one who should be concerned about your reputation,” Robert said.

Kitty’s pulse raged in her ears. Confusion filled her brain. This wasn’t the same man she’d met in Baltimore.

“I’m going to put an end to you. Luke is going to have to sell to me, and once that happens, your business will go down the tubes,” Robert said.

JW puffed out his chest and snarled like a bull ready to charge. “I already bought Luke’s ranch, so you’re the one who is shit out of luck.”

“You mother fucker.” Robert cocked his fist and aimed for JW’s face.

Kitty screamed and stumbled backward. She clutched her chest staring at the violence unfolding right in front of her eyes.

JW tucked and twisted his body until he caught Robert’s fist with his hand. “You’ve messed with the wrong man.”

Robert buckled to his knees.

JW raised his other hand, clenching it into a tight fist.

“JW. Let him go,” Kitty said sternly. She didn’t give a shit that Robert had started it. She wasn’t about to let JW finish it. If there was one thing she couldn’t tolerate, it was grown men using their fists to prove a point.

JW took a step back and shook out his hand. “Let’s go.”

Kitty followed JW back to the pickup. He helped her into the passenger seat, but he didn’t say a word.

He slammed his door shut and revved the engine.

“If I hadn’t been there, would you have hit him?” Even though she asked the question, she didn’t expect him to answer, because she knew the truth and that gave her pause.

“He and his daughter bring out the worst in me,” JW said softly. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

“So am I.” She crossed her arms across her chest. “That’s one of the reasons I left my ex-husband.”

“I’d never hit a woman.” JW glanced in her direction. His dark eyes had grown softer. “And while I certainly thought about decking Robert, I would have stopped.”

“I’d like to believe that.”

The next twenty minutes went by in silence. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Visions of her and JW back in the hotel in Baltimore bombarded her brain. He’d been a sweet lover. Kind and attentive. The complete opposite of what she’d seen in the parking lot of the bar, and if she were being honest with herself, JW had changed the second they’d landed in Idaho.

“We’re here,” JW said.

She took in a deep, calming breath and blinked her eyes open. “Wow.” A massive two-story house graced her sight. She figured five of her parents’ house could fit easily inside. Soft lights lit up the porch, showing off a rustic country look. The moon showed off mountain ridges in the background. “This is yours?” She slipped from the cab of the pickup and tilted her head back. The Big Dipper dotted the dark sky.

“Mine and my siblings.” He stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her middle and his chin resting on her shoulder.

The sound of barking dogs echoed in the night.

“Do those belong to you as well?”

“I forgot to mention I have a couple of very large, but sweet dogs.” He laced his fingers between hers and tugged. “Let’s go meet King and Kong.”

* * *

JW inserted his house key and gripped the handle.

“What kind of dogs do you have? And why didn’t you name them after whiskey?”

He laughed. “One is a yellow Lab and the other a purebred, long-haired German shepherd. My sister brought the dogs back from her place this afternoon, so they might be a little excited.”

“They sound it.” Kitty held on to his belt.

“Down, boys,” he said as he snagged a couple of treats from the jar on the table. “Take them outside.”

King jumped up on his hind legs, resting his gigantic paws on JW’s shoulders. “I missed you too; now go outside.”

The dogs raced past him, howling like a pack of wolves.

“They won’t run off?”

“Nope,” JW said. “I’ll be right back with our suitcases.”

“Is there a bathroom I can go freshen up in?”

“Master bedroom is at the top of the stairs to the right.” JW hightailed it back to his pickup, hauling both suitcases back up the porch. “Let’s go, boys.”

King and Kong scattered up the steps and back into the house, plopping themselves down at the base of the stairs. Both looked at JW with cocked heads.

“This one is nice, I promise.”

The sound of an engine easing to a stop in the circular driveway had King and Kong whining, thumping their heavy tails against the wood floor, knowing his sister had just pulled in.

“Relax, boys.” He’d gotten Kong first as puppy and named him after the first bull he’d ever rode. King came to him a year later, and he just couldn’t resist the name.

“Sit,” he commanded. Both dogs groaned, but their butts hit the floor.

The front door swished open, then slammed shut. King, the Lab, scratched his paw against JW’s leg.

“Go get her,” he said. The dogs took off running.

“Down, dogs,” Georgia Moon said before they even skidded to a stop in front of her. “You jump on me, I won’t give you these.” She held up two rawhides, and the dogs immediately sat, tails wagging impatiently. “It’s like I didn’t just see them a few hours ago.” Georgia Moon gave them their treats, and they scurried back over to the family room, lying down at JW’s feet, happily gnawing away.

“So, where is this chick?” Georgia Moon asked as she tossed her keys on the table near the front door.

“Don’t you know how to knock?”

“Have I ever?” she asked, kicking off her boots before she meandered into the living room.

He snagged a bottle of wine. “Do you want a glass?”

“Absolutely. I mean, you brought a girl home; now I need to get to know her.” She pulled a glass from the bar before helping herself to some vino. She settled in the big wingback chair, resting her feet on the ottoman.

“I ran into Robert and Bella on the way home.”

“I heard.” Georgia Moon lowered her chin and raised a brow. “I also heard you nearly flattened Robert.”

“He swung first.”

“Well, lucky for you that Mindy is dating a cop who saw the entire thing, or you might have ended up behind bars for pushing Bella.”

“I didn’t lay a hand on her, and everyone in that bar knows it.” They might know the truth, but rumors still circulated, and some people, like the waitress, were afraid of him. “But I think the altercation caused Kitty and I our first fight.”

“Hopefully it be your last,” Georgia Moon said.

He took a hefty gulp of his wine, finishing the glass in two swigs. He’d managed to make an ass out of himself in front of Kitty in less than an hour of her arrival in his hometown, all thanks to Robert and Bella. “It felt like they knew I was going to be at the bar and decided to make waves.”

Georgia Moon held up her cell phone, showing off her Twitter feed. “Some people saw you at the airport and then again at the bar.”

JW held the phone up, scrolling through the pictures. Whoever had been taking the pictures hadn’t captured Kitty, which was about the only decent thing that had come from the night. “How is it that Bella can waffle between the truth of what happened and the accusation that I hit her, and people still trust and believe the shit that comes out of her mouth.”

“Because the public loves drama, and she’s the queen,” Georgia Moon said, refilling his glass. “Better open another bottle since JD and JB are on their way over.”

“You all couldn’t have waited until tomorrow?” he asked. “Promise me you’ll be on your best behavior.”

“I promise I’ll be nice until she gives me a reason not to be.”

“Can I at least count on you not to insult her?”

“The only girlfriend of yours I’ve ever slighted was Bella, and she deserved it.”

“That’s true.”

The sound of rubber-soled shoes squeaking against the hardwood floor made his heart flutter. Both dogs lifted their heads, licking their chops, noses in the air, sniffing wildly. He pointed at his sister. “I really like her, so be nice.” He stood, waiting for Kitty to grace the room with her radiant beauty and killer personality.

“I have never seen a bathtub that big before.” Kitty bounced into the room, her hair cascading over her shoulders, swaying with every step. “Oh, hello.”

“Kitty, meet Georgia Moon.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Georgia Moon didn’t bother with a handshake as she yanked Kitty into her arms for a good old-fashioned Whiskey hug.

King stood and stretched out his front legs before meandering to Kitty and shoving his nose under her hand.

She glanced down and smiled, patting his head.

JW poured a glass of wine and handed it to Kitty. “My brothers will be here any minute, and I can’t be sure they will be as well behaved as my dogs.”

“Can’t be any worse than when you met my parents,” Kitty said with a smile, tucking her hair behind her ears as her ass sank into the chocolate leather sofa.

“You met her folks already?” Georgia Moon asked with a slight coo in her voice. “This must be serious.”

JW narrowed his stare. “They just happened into the bar Kitty works at. It wasn’t intentional.”

“JW, that was rude,” his sister said.

Kitty tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I understood what he meant.”

The tension between him and Kitty had dissipated some, but he knew he needed to talk with her about what happened and why, especially since her ex-husband had hit her.

“Does anyone ever call all the brothers Triple J or something?” Kitty asked. Her voice tore through the friction lingering in the air.

“JD and JB are often called a double shot,” Georgia Moon said, resting her head on the back of the seat.

“That seems unfair to leave out the eldest.” Kitty rolled a strand of hair around her finger in a mesmerizing dance that lulled him into submission. Whatever she wanted, he doubted he’d ever be able to say no.

Much less stay in a bad mood.

“My brothers look like twins, where, sadly, I look more like my mom and sister,” JW said.

“I can see the resemblance between the two of you.” Kitty licked her lips before taking a sip of wine. She caught JW’s gaze and gave him a sweet smile.

King and Kong barked as the rumbling of an engine hummed outside.

“You want to get those boys,” JW said, bending over, letting Kong lick his face. For the last few months, his dogs had been his only real friendship outside of his siblings. After his best friend had slept with his fiancée, he didn’t trust people. He pushed the small doubt that tickled his mind that Kitty wouldn’t be any different from those he’d deemed faithful in the past. “You go tell them who is boss.”

Both dogs bolted from the floor.

“I’ve never seen such well-behaved dogs before. They listen and do everything you tell them to.” Kitty tucked her feet under her butt, looking poised and relaxed, while his insides stirred like a stick churning butter.

“JW is the dog whisperer,” his sister said. “Too bad it didn’t translate to bulls, or he might have been able to stay on one even longer.”

“I still hold the world record.” JW stared at the front door, the dogs dancing in circles.

Kitty leaned in, her warm, delicate fingers gently curling around his arm. “What are they going to do to your brothers?” she asked.

“Just watch.”

King and Kong loved his brothers as much as they loved them, but each dog was pushing a hundred pounds of solid muscle and not that easy to catch mid-air.

The second the door cracked open an inch, JW said, “Give them boys some love!”

Kong nudged the door with his nose then jumped straight up at JD, who grabbed the dog, but still had a hard time keeping his balance.

King leapt up into JB, who ended up slamming his back into the wall.

“Goddamned dogs,” JD muttered. “Do you have to have them do this every time?” He scratched the dog’s back while King slobbered all over his face.

“Please don’t ever ask the dogs to give me love,” Kitty said, laughter spilling out of her sweet mouth.

“King. Kong,” JW commanded. “Wanna come love this girl?”

The dogs raced around the sofa once as Kitty practically crawled onto his lap, clutching at his shoulders.

“You’re scaring your own house guest,” his sister mused, knowing exactly what was about to happen, and by the amused look on her face, she was enjoying it almost as much as he and the dogs were.

“Just relax; they love ladies a little differently.” Reluctantly, he pried her fingers from his body. He felt a pang of guilt as this was often a test to see how a date might really feel about his dogs. You didn’t get along with them, there could be a problem.

Something he should have known with Bella.

“You could have warned the poor girl before commanding the dogs to her feet,” JB said, brushing off the dog hair as he made his way across the room, setting his hat on the bar.

JW ignored his family, focusing on the dogs and the girl who had knocked down some of the wall he’d built. “King, a little love for the girl.”

King jumped on the sofa, sitting next to Kitty. He raised his paw, resting it on her shoulder before leaning in and licking her cheek.

“Aww. That’s so cute.” Kitty cupped the dog’s face, scratching his cheeks and behind his ears. “You’re a good dog.”

Kong moaned wildly on the floor, taking her pant leg into his mouth and tugging.

“Down, King,” JW commanded. “Kong, a little love for the girl.”

Reluctantly, King jumped off the sofa, making room for Kong.

JW sat back, tossing his arm around the back of the sofa, watching Kitty and his dogs. She seemed to genuinely enjoy them, and they were certainly warming up to her.

“Thank you, Kong; now get down,” Kitty said.

“He has a hard time listening…” JW let the words trail off. The dogs took his commands, but often ignored others, unless there was a mutual respect.

Kong gave her one more lick, then jumped down, and both dogs went back to their bones, at her feet, not his.

Traitors.

“Since my brother is too busy showing off his dogs, let me introduce myself,” JD said, pouring himself a small glass of wine. Of his two brothers, JD was the more serious one, but both were brilliant when it came to numbers, and he trusted them to run the financial part of the ranch while his sister focused on the management of daily operations. Since he’d officially retired from bull riding, he worked on trying to get the bull riding school started.

“Sorry. That’s JD and the one getting another glass is JB, and they are both a pain in my ass.”

His brothers were what everyone called Irish twins at ten months apart, with JD being the older one and only two years younger than JW.

“Ma’am,” JB said, taking his Stetson off, tossing it on the bar. “How are you liking Whiskey Ranch?”

It had originally been called The Buhl Ranch, but when JW had turned eighteen and was the highest paid cowboy on the circuit, Chuck had decided to change the name, knowing he’d leave the property, and his wealth, to the Whiskey family. The gesture had humbled his grandparents.

And terrified JW. He worried he wouldn’t be able to fill Chuck’s shoes and still didn’t believe he had. There was no one in this world like Chuck Holland.

“I haven’t seen much of it since we only got in a couple of hours ago,” she said, leaning against JW.

The heat from her body scorched his skin like a branding stick. The next half hour or so would be torture. Hopefully, he could get rid of his siblings quickly.

“I’m looking forward to the full tour tomorrow.”

“Best ranch in these parts,” JD said, sitting next to his brother on the other sofa.

JW tried not to think about the night he told his siblings he’d been secretly dating Bella for a few months, and she was going to move into the ranch house. His brothers had warned him that Bella wasn’t the woman for him, and his sister was concerned about what it would do to the relationship they had built with her father.

For good reason.

But JW hadn’t listened. He thought he was in love. Georgia Moon had just moved out, taking over the guest house while his two brothers had remodeled the old manager’s cabin, where they’d grown up, putting on an addition, which included a game room. A true bachelor pad. He often wondered what would happen if one of his little brothers actually fell in love since they seemed to be glued together like Siamese twins, unable to do anything without the other.

“How long are you visiting?” JB asked, swirling his wine. While they all enjoyed whiskey and beer, they’d developed a taste for red wine, something they all got from Chuck Holland, a man who’d been like a second father to all of them.

“I fly home Saturday,” Kitty said.

“Two days is barely enough time to see all of the ranch and have a girl’s night with me,” Georgia Moon said, winking in his direction. She meant well, but she could scare this one away if she came on too strong. “I’ve got so many good stories I can tell on my older brother.”

“Like the time he decided to shoot a pellet into a coil, and it came out the other side and nailed him in the shin,” JD said, shaking his head. “Even I knew that was stupid.”

“I’m not sure I understand what happened.” Kitty wrinkled her nose.

He wanted to reach out and bat it, but his brothers would absolutely say something about that, so he opted for letting his thumb and index finger get tangled in her silky hair that always smelled like strawberries. “There was a big hose, like what comes out of the back of a dryer next to the barn. It was coiled like a snake, and I shoved the muzzle of my pellet gun in the top and pulled the trigger. We heard it go round and round—”

“The other end was next to his foot in a slight upward direction, where the pellet projected out. He fell to the ground, wailing like a pathetic pig,” JD said, grinning from ear to ear.

JW rolled his eyes, hiking up his pant leg, pointing to the scar the pellet had left after the ranch veterinarian dug it out of his body. “You have no idea how badly that hurt.”

“That had to be the dumbest thing you’ve ever done, even Dad cracked up.” JD smiled.

JW’s heart thumped at the memory. His dad had been one of those men that had been larger than life. Tall, muscular build, and while a strict man when it came to his children, he had the heart of gold and the patience of a saint.

JW glanced in the direction of his sister, who missed their parents more than she would ever let on. She was as tough as an ox, but no matter how many stories he’d told her over the years about their parents, most would never be a moving picture inside her head.

“How about the time the golf cart died? That was hysterical,” JD said.

“Let’s get the story straight. It didn’t die,” JW corrected. “One of those idiots over there sabotaged it.”

“What happened?” Kitty asked, every syllable laced with excitement like a kid waiting for the next chapter of a story. Her knee pushed into his thigh, sending his libido into overdrive. He shifted, adjusting his jeans, but no way could he ever get comfortable until he was in his bed, naked, with her body draped over his, drenched in lust.

“He got stuck in the pasture with Nelly, the craziest bull we have ever owned. Swear to God, the bull had mental problems.” JB twirled his index finger by the side of his head.

“What did the bull do to keep JW trapped?” Kitty asked.

“He was trying to hump the golf cart, but every time JW tried to leave, the bull snarled, jumping down, staring at JW in attack mode.” JB took a large gulp of his wine. He might appreciate the sultry blend, but he’d never learned to sip and enjoy.

“I damn near met my maker, no thanks to you idiots.” JW had never feared a bull until that day.

“It was a full hour before we could distract the bull enough to get JW out of there,” Georgia Moon said. “We’ve got video of that one somewhere.”

“I’m not sure I want a ride on the golf cart,” Kitty said.

“It’s not the cart you need to be worried about.” JW slipped his hand under her hair, his fingers caressing the back of her neck. “Nor the bull,” he whispered in her ear.

She sucked in her lower lip, staring at him, batting her precious emerald eyes.

“I don’t know about you two.” Georgia Moon stood. “But I can take a hint.”

“If that were true, you wouldn’t have even shown up tonight at all,” JW said.

“Before we head out, I need to talk to you about one thing.” JB downed the rest of his wine and then rinsed the glass out in the bar sink.

“I’ll walk you to the door.” He leaned closer to Kitty, pressing his lips against her warm cheek. “Don’t move.” He stepped over the dogs and followed his family to the foyer. “What’s up?”

JB held out his phone, showing a national gossip magazine. “Your ex will be heading to Baltimore this week.”

“What the fuck?” He grabbed the phone, tapping the article, resizing it. “I thought I read somewhere she’d be doing gigs in Nashville or something like that?” What JW couldn’t understand was why she’d headed to Baltimore at about the same time he had.

“She signed with some music manager by the name of Eric Longstrum,” JB said. “I looked him up, and he’s got an office in Baltimore and seems legit enough.”

“So, a coincidence.” JW continued to scan the article. “Well, fuck me.”

“What is it?” JB asked.

“Bella is scheduled to sing Friday night at McCurdy’s.” He tore his gaze from the phone. “That’s where Kitty works.”

“I don’t see how that can be a coincidence, but how would she know you’ve been seeing Kitty or where she works?”

JW had no idea, but he intended to find out. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.” He headed back into his house, locking the door behind him. Tension gripped his muscles. He rolled his shoulders.

“What’s going on?” Kitty greeted him with another glass of wine. “From the second we landed here, you’ve been different. I’m not sure what to make of it, especially your behavior at the barbeque place.”

He leaned against the bar in the living room and contemplated what he should tell Kitty. Being honest was something he demanded from anyone in his life, so he should do the same.

But he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Kitty had been married to a man who thought nothing of hitting her, something that broke JW’s heart into tiny little pieces. Based solely on that information, he should tell Kitty about his arrest. She’d understand, since all charges had been dropped, but by the way she responded to his altercation with Robert, JW decided it was better to leave the past where it belonged.

In the past.

If he and Kitty managed to make a long-distance relationship work, he’d tell her, and by then, it would be water under the bridge.

Or at least that’s what he told himself.

If his mother were still alive, she’d tell him that he was being a coward and commitment phobic.

Both were true.

“My breakup with Bella ended up in the public eye, and it affected my family’s business dealings. Bella’s father has made it his life goal to destroy me, but I thought in the last month things had died down. Tonight proved to me they haven’t.”

“She broke your heart, didn’t she?”

“Losing my friendship with Luke hurt more than calling it quits with Bella.” JW paused and slugged down more wine, which went directly to his head. “I have a bizarre question to ask you.”

“Okay.”

“Do you know a man by the name of Eric Longstrum?”

Kitty’s lips parted in shock. “How do you know him?”

“I just found out he’s managing Bella’s new singing career.”

Kitty frowned, folding her arms across her chest. “So, you’re really not over her.”

He set his drink down and closed the gap between them. “I’m so over her, but as you could see at the bar tonight, she and her father have issues with me, and they will do whatever it takes to bring me and my family down. I worry they might come after you.” He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist.

“That would be unfortunate,” she said, resting her head on his chest. “Just promise me that whatever happens, you won’t resort to using your fists.”

“I promise,” he said, and he meant it.

Chapter Nine

Kitty sat on the fence, adjusting the cowboy hat she’d once again stolen from JW, who gave up trying to steal it back and wore one he constantly complained about not being broken in enough. He’d offered to give her any of his hats, except the one on her head.

But not a single hat smelled like a combination of wildflowers being blown around by a warm summer breeze and the musky pine scent of the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on.

JW stood across the pasture talking with a couple of ranch hands, holding the reins of a gigantic horse that made him look like one of the seven dwarfs. The animal’s tail swished back and forth, and his spectacular muscles twitched. The closest she’d ever been to a horse was when Preston had taken her to a racetrack in upstate New York. She remembered enjoying the open country air and the small-town feel of Saratoga Springs.

Her heart thumped in a slow, steady beat. The only thing keeping her in Baltimore were her parents, but they constantly told her to go wherever she wanted, that there was no reason to stay.

But where would she go?

She had five grand to her name, and that savings wasn’t growing any, and her student loans were only going to get worse and worse.

However, the longer she stared at JW, the more she thought she could get used to living in a place like Buhl, Idaho.

She twitched, nearly falling off the fence as her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Her jerky movement caught the attention of King and Kong, who had been following her around like little magnets. Even when JW called them to him, they whined like little babies, nuzzling their snouts in her feet or on her lap.

Kong raised up on his hind legs, resting his front paws on the wood railing next to her butt.

“Sorry to have disturbed your rest.” She scratched the back of the dog’s neck while checking her phone.

A text from Preston.

He’d called her last night but hadn’t left a message.

He called her again this morning, leaving a message that she hadn’t listened to. She figured it might have something to do with Bella and Eric, but she didn’t give a rat’s ass about them. When she returned home, she was going to have to tell Preston to either leave her alone or face a restraining order, because she damn tired of his meddling.

She turned her phone to silent, so it wouldn’t vibrate again and stuffed it back in her pocket. She watched in awe as JW tugged on the reins, and the horse leaned forward. There was no saddle, so nothing for JW to put his foot in, but he managed to heave himself on the horse, tapping his heels. He adjusted his hat three times as the beast carried him across the pasture, his body moving in rhythm with the horse.

“Sexy man, isn’t he, Kong?”

The dog cocked his head, staring at her and making a noise that sounded like Scooby Doo.

“Okay, not your type. I get it.”

The dogs left her side and meandered in the field, sniffing the ground before King jumped Kong, and they started racing around each other like wild bulls.

“Howdy, ma’am.” JW tipped his hat. “Hop on.”

“No way. No, thank you. I’m not getting on that animal.”

JW guided the horse right next to her, his thick stomach pressing against her knees.

“Rudy is the most docile Quarter Horse we have.” JW held out his hand. “Come on.” He pushed back, making room in front of him. “I’ll hold on to you.”

“Now I’ve got that song ‘Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy’ stuck in my head.”

“You can ride this cowboy a little later.” He circled his arm around her waist as she eased her leg over the massive creature.

“I’ve never been on a horse before.” She sucked in a deep breath, leaning against JW’s strong frame.

JW made a clicking noise, and the horse rocked forward.

“Whoa,” she said, grabbing his thighs, digging her fingers into his flesh. As scared as she was, she felt more alive than she had in a long time.

“Just relax,” he whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending a wave of goosebumps across her skin.

“Please don’t go any faster.”

He wrapped his arm around her stomach, his lips pressed against her neck, the brim of his hat pushing hers back. “Rudy is an old horse, and he just likes to walk.”

Her heart rattled behind her ribs as her body jostled with each hoof stomping the ground. After a few minutes, the sensation felt more like rocking in a hammock.

He led the horse out of a gate where one of the ranch hands had been waiting and closed the gate behind them. The ranch seemed like it went on for miles with barns and buildings nestled in meadow after glorious meadow, all with a backdrop of woods.

“You really are in the middle of nowhere out here. Don’t you ever miss being near a city?” While she felt crowded in the city, she couldn’t imagine having to drive thirty minutes just for a gallon of milk. She nearly laughed at the thought. With all the cows on the farm, JW had a never-ending supply of milk.

He pointed off to their right. “See that?”

“The golf cart? Is that the one—"

“Not that, the building.”

“Oh yeah.” The golf cart raced in front of them about fifty yards away and disappeared into the woods.

“I’ve got over a hundred ranch hands that live there, and if you look just to the left, you can see the front porch of a cabin. There are fifteen where some of my employees have moved with their families.”

“They rent from you?”

“I take a small fee to cover the water and utilities. Ranches often have a high turnover, and I learned that if you take care of your people, they will stay for the long haul.”

“You really do have your own little village,” she mused.

The shrill of children laughing stole her attention. When she turned her head, she saw a dozen or so young children running out of the woods into the open field, followed by three adults.

“Who are they?”

“Some of the kids whose parents work for me.” He waved as the children approached.

“Hey, Mr. Whiskey,” one of the young boys said. “I went ten seconds on the mechanical today.”

“That’s great progress.” JW tugged on the reins, and the horse stopped walking.

“Who’s the girl?” the same boy asked, pointing to her. “She the new tutor?”

“No. This my girlfriend, Kitty.”

Half the kids covered their mouths, giggling.

Kitty swallowed her breath. Things were going too fast, and she had no idea how to slow them down.

If she even wanted to.

The idea that she was honestly toying with a long-distance relationship with JW told her she was certifiable and should be hauled off in a straitjacket. There was no way this could work.

Yet, she would bend over backward right now just to have a repeat of this week, even if for just one night.

Or an hour.

“Hi, everyone.” She wiggled her fingers at the children, who she guessed ranged from ages six to twelve.

“Mr. Whiskey, we didn’t expect you back so soon,” one of the young adult males said. “Some of the children have been working on a show. Perhaps you could stop by the training pasture tomorrow and give them some pointers.”

“I’d be happy to. Did the maintenance crew fix the AC in the daycare?” JW asked.

“Yes. Thank you,” the young man said. “Enjoy your day, sir.” The kids took off running through the open field toward the buildings on the other side of the meadow.

JW tipped his hat and clicked his heel against the horse’s belly.

“Daycare?” she questioned with a faint whisper. “You have one on the ranch?”

“The closest one is over a half-hour drive, so a few years ago, we built one just for my employees, but we now have a couple after-school and summer programs we’ve extended to the community. We also have a couple of parents who homeschool, so I provide tutoring for them.”

She took her hat off, resting her head on his shoulder, and raised her hand to cup his cheek. “That’s amazing.”

His lips brushed her nose in a delicate kiss. “Not really.”

She slid her fingers behind his neck, drawing his lips closer to her mouth. “Many bosses wouldn’t go out of their way like that.” She kissed him tenderly as his hand covered her flat stomach.

The melding of their mouths was slow and romantic. It was the kind of kiss that long-time lovers shared when they wanted to express their devotion, and the accidental sexual arousal that ensued after was the icing on the cake.

Something scurried in the tall grass, and the horse raised his front legs about a foot in the air and jerked to the left, flinging her right out of JW’s arms. Her ass landed on the ground with a thump. Rudy looked down at her with apologetic eyes as he pushed his big nose in her face.

“Shit. You okay?” He jumped down off the horse as if it were an easy slide at the playground.

Rudy snorted, scraping his hoof in the grass.

She took the hand JW offered. “I can feel the bruise forming on my butt already.”

“Shall I kiss your boo-boo?” JW bent over, grabbing something from the ground. “You dropped your phone.” The home screen showed another missed phone call, an email, and a text message from her ex-husband.

“Preston again?”

“I’m not answering him.” She swallowed, staring into his dark, sad puppy eyes. She held his gaze for a long moment. “I’m not interested in whatever it is he wants.”

“All right.” JW clasped his hands, lacing his fingers together.

With her hand on his shoulder, she pressed her foot in his hands and swung her leg over Rudy. Once JW climbed on, he made that clicking noise, and the horse stepped onto the path heading into the woods.

The next five minutes seemed like they ticked on forever. He said nothing, and she had no idea what to say. He had no right to be upset, yet she could feel the tension seeping from his pores. When he'd met Preston in the bar, he hadn't acted like the jealous type, something that would be a total deal-breaker, especially in a long-distance relationship.

Birds squawked, flying overhead, rustling the treetops. The sunrays streamed between the branches and thick leaves.

“It’s so nice not to smell exhaust.” She sucked in a deep breath. The rich, floral smell tickled her nose.

“I could never live in the city,” he drawled as he pulled the reins across her body, steering the horse down another path.

“I can see this ranch is a part of you,” she said, blinking her eyes as Rudy came to a stop in front of a blanket lined with a picnic basket and a bucket filled with ice and a bottle of white wine.

“I love it here.” He slipped off the horse, pulling her down in his strong arms, holding her by the hips. “Not really the best conversation to start off a romantic lunch.”

“No, but it is something we should probably talk about.”

She sat on the blanket, watching the horse nibble on grass while JW unpacked their lunch, contemplating her mistake and how to correct it. JW was an amazing man. An incredible lover. There wasn’t a single thing she didn’t like about him. Her phone cut into her butt, so she pulled it out, tossing it next to the basket.

He handed her a plastic glass filled with wine. “Cheers.”

“Cheers.” The tangy pear flavor flowed neatly into her stomach, but it didn’t help her growing concerns. “What are we doing?”

“Having lunch.” He pointed to the tray of sandwiches.

“You know that’s not what I was asking about.” Hunger got the better of her as she found an egg salad sandwich. “I’ve got a year left to get my bachelor’s, that is if everything goes as planned. Then I need to find a teaching job and still have to get my master’s degree. That’s the next two to three years in Baltimore, and while I would consider leaving Baltimore—”

“That’s good news.” He smiled, grabbing a sandwich and stuffing half of it in his mouth.

“How so?” She picked at the crust.

“You’re willing to relocate. And we have a great university. You could get your master’s degree here.”

She dropped the sandwich in her lap. “You’ve got to be joking.”

“Yes and no,” he said, pushing his hat back. “I haven’t been willing to take a risk on even dating since I broke up with Bella, much less introduce a woman to my dogs and my family. I don’t know if we can make this work. For all I know, in a couple of months, we’ll be like yeah, it was fun while it lasted. But what I do know is I want to see you again, and I don’t care if that means I have to fly across the country to do it.” He leaned over, wiping the egg mess from her leg with his index finger, popping it into his mouth.

When she imagined moving from Baltimore, it had been maybe in Upstate New York, or somewhere in the mountains of Virginia. A couple of hours drive from her brother and parents. Not a six-hour flight.

“Can we at least enjoy the next couple of days?” he asked, reaching in his back pocket. “Shit. I have to take this.”

Saved by the phone. She nibbled on a new sandwich, which was truly the best egg salad she’d ever eaten. It had a slight mustard flavor and wasn’t doused in mayo. But what really made her taste buds explode was the sliced cucumber.

“What’s up, JD?”

While he focused on his phone call, she took the time to look at one text from her ex-husband.

Preston: Call me. I need to talk to you about JW and his ex.

Her fingers shook as she tried to delete the text. She’d never told him his name.

“Where’s the vet?” JW asked into his phone.

She opened her email, and one of the subject lines was: I have some information about your new friend you need to know.

“What about Georgia Moon?”

Quickly, she closed the app, shoving the phone back in her pocket. Preston had been known to be jealous when they first got together, and that continued right into their divorce.

“All right. I’ve got Rudy. I’ll be right there. Can you send someone out in the cart to get Kitty?”

“What?” she asked, but he shushed her by holding up his index finger.

“Great. Thanks.” He tapped his phone as he rose. “I’m sorry; I’ve got a cow in labor with a calf coming out ass first, and my vet is at another farm dealing with a problem there. Georgia Moon could handle it, but she’s in a meeting at the town hall.” He spoke so fast she could barely keep up. “Someone will be out in a few minutes to get you and take you back to the house.”

Before she could protest, he’d hopped onto the back of his horse, making that clicking noise, digging his heels into the horse’s sides.

Rudy snorted, rising on his hind legs. JW leaned forward. “Come on, boy.”

Dirt turned up under Rudy’s hooves as he took off in a full gallop.

Something told Kitty that horse wasn’t old and preferred running over walking.

Chapter Ten

Kitty sat in the family room, King and Kong at her feet, her cell phone in her hands. It was close to midnight, and she’d gotten one text from JW telling her he was sorry, but he had to stay at the barn until the cow gave birth and something about showering before he came back to the house because of where his hands and arms have been.

She didn’t dare contemplate the possibilities.

She held her phone, staring at the unopened email from Preston. Sucking in a deep breath, she tapped on the mail icon.

JW Whiskey is a dangerous man. Read this article. It explains everything. If I don’t hear from you soon, in good conscience, I’ll need to share this with your brother and parents.

King let out a long yawn as he stretched out at her feet. Kong had curled up closer to the front door, occasionally lifting his head as if to look for his owner.

She dropped her head to the back of the sofa, closing her eyes tight. How could anyone who built a daycare on his property be dangerous? JW might be a quiet man. Reserved. Gruff even. But he had a golden heart. What the hell was Preston up to and why?

Opening her eyes, she typed a text message, telling him she’d gotten his messages and that he hadn’t a clue as to what he was talking about and to leave her and her family alone. Her thumb hovered over the send button.

“Shit,” she muttered, tapping back to the email and clicking on the link.

An image of JW with Bella on his arm filled the screen, her hand resting on his shoulder with a huge diamond dangling on her ring finger.

She scrolled and gasped at the image of the same woman with a battered face.

JW Whiskey, hours after he’d broken his own world record, arrested for beating his fiancée, Bella Brothers.

Kitty’s heart plummeted to the bottom of her stomach. Her hands trembled, and her mouth went dry.

The man she’d started to fall in love with couldn’t have beaten his ex.

Could he?

She mentally scolded herself for even thinking such a horrible thing about JW, but her mind kept going back to last night and the fight at the bar.

And the way Bella had acted as if JW had laid a hand on her.

Kitty needed to read the article, and then anything else she could find on the internet about Bella and JW.

JW (Johnnie Walker) Whiskey, arrested today for allegedly beating his fiancée, Bella Brothers. Bella is the daughter of Robert Brothers, best known for his famous bull riding school. The same school that JW turned to for training in his early days. JW and Bella had secretly dated for months, before not only telling their families, but the press as well. Theirs was a romance that, on the surface, seemed to be destined for ultimate happiness.

However, in a press conference this morning, Miss Brothers described JW as controlling, cruel, and violent. She alleges she suffered months of mental and physical abuse for the duration of their relationship. She claims JW became enraged when she told him she was leaving him. According to the police report, JW hurled his trophy at Miss Brothers, smacking her cheek so hard the trophy broke into three pieces.

King leapt onto the sofa, nudging her arm, trying to get his nose on her lap. “Get down,” she commanded. She blinked a few times, trying to keep the tears at bay, questioning her judgment of men and the human race in general.

JW has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and has been released on bail.

The next two pictures were of JW. One of him being pushed into a police car in handcuffs, the second was of him shielding his face as he left the county jail.

She jumped off the sofa, tripping over the coffee table when the dogs took off toward the door, their nails scraping on the tile floor. As soon as she’d steadied herself, the front door flew open, and JW stepped inside.

“Hey, boys, did you miss me?” He bent on one knee, letting the dogs lick his face as he scratched their coats. “Have you behaved yourself for our guest?”

Standing behind the sofa, she froze, staring at a man who had been accused of beating his fiancée. She didn’t want to believe the words she’d just read. JW would never.

But the article had come from a reputable newspaper.

And JW had acted aggressively the other night.

“What’s wrong?” JW asked as he stood, hanging his hat on the rack by the door. He took two steps forward.

She took a step back.

“Did something happen?” He paused mid-step, his eyes widening with concern.

“You startled me.” She rubbed her hands against her jeans. Her heart was telling her to cling to her intuition, but the logical part of her brain couldn’t ignore the battered face of Bella Brothers nor the images of JW in handcuffs.

No. This can’t be right. The man standing in front of her couldn’t have possibly beaten anyone. Look at him. He had kind eyes. A soft, gentle touch. He’d been nothing but sweet and generous.

Of course, maybe that’s how he started off, and then when he roped you in…

“No, I’m just tired and stressed over school starting. I should have booked the red-eye for tonight.” Her gaze darted across the room, landing on the floor where her phone had been dropped, screen up, with the article still open. She skirted around the sofa but came to a screeching halt when the tip of his boots stopped just inches from her cell.

“What’s really going on?” He bent over, taking the phone in his hand. “You look like something frightened you.”

“I was half asleep on the sofa when you came in.” She held her hand out, praying he’d just give her the phone.

Bile crept up her throat. She couldn’t believe JW had been arrested for abuse. Nothing about him spelled a crazy man who got his rocks off hitting women. He wasn’t even very controlling.

But she couldn’t ignore last night.

He glanced at the phone and frowned. “Shit,” he muttered. “I’m sorry you had to read that.” He took a step toward her, and no matter how much she wanted to hold her ground, she inched backward, and her body shuddered.

“Are you all of a sudden afraid of me?” he asked. His eyes narrowed to tiny slits. “Is this the only article you read about the incident?”

“You’re not denying it,” she said softly. Tears formed in her eyes. If he hadn’t done it, he’d be protesting, right? “That article is true. You were arrested—”

His pupils constricted as his rigid body went limp. “Yeah. I was.”

“You hit her?”

“No. I didn’t.”

“But you were arrested for abusing her?”

“I told you I was, but that doesn’t mean I was convicted of anything,” he said with his hands on his hips. His nostrils flared. Anger filled his eyes.

“I’m confused then, because—”

“Do you honestly believe I would ever lay a hand on a woman? I’m not like Preston, but by the look of sheer terror on your face, you believe I am.” He shook his head. “If you had taken the time to read a more current article about what really went down that day, you’d know…” He held the phone up, tapping at the keyboard. “Fuck it.” He tossed it on the table. “If you believe for one second I’m capable of doing that to a woman—to anyone—then you don’t know one damn thing about me. What a fool I’ve been to think you could ever see the real me.” He turned on his heels and stomped across the floor. “You can stay in the house. I’ll leave King and Kong, so they will alert you if I, or anyone, enters the house. I’ll make sure a car is here to take you to the airport in the morning.” He gripped the handle to the front door and paused.

She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t bring herself to utter his name, or anything else for that matter.

“I didn’t hit her,” he mumbled before stepping outside and slamming the door behind him.

She let out a long breath, reaching down, grabbing her phone, and clutching it to her chest. It would take her only a few minutes to pack, and hopefully a cab company would come out to the ranch. A few years ago, she had to spend the night in an airport. She could do it again.

The dogs stood in the foyer, looking between the door and her, confusion etched in their eyes. But that wasn’t as bad as the hurt she’d seen in JW’s. It was as if someone deflated all the positive happy energy from his body, leaving him with nothing but misery.

“Crap.” She sat down on the sofa, patting the cushions. King barked, racing over and jumping on the sofa, resting his nose on her lap. Kong did a little dance before climbing up on the other side, curling up in a tight ball next to her. Opening Safari on her phone, she googled JW Whiskey and Bella Brothers.

No matter what happened next, she needed the truth.

“Wow,” she whispered. A dozen or so hits came up. She clicked on the one that read: JW Whiskey, Vindicated.

Today, Bella Brothers admitted she lied about her ex-fiancé beating her two months ago. Her attorney held a press conference on her behalf, stating that Bella had been suffering from depression. He hinted, but didn’t state specifically, that Bella blamed JW for her mental state but was doing her best to move past the bad decision. When asked who actually beat Bella, her attorney said steps were being taken to make sure the perpetrator would be brought to justice.

“Well, that’s vague.” She clicked on another article.

Rodeo Weekly has obtained a statement from JW Whiskey regarding his ex-fiancée’s recent admittance that he did not abuse her physically on the night he broke his own world record. In an interview, JW stated he’s deeply saddened by Bella’s mental state and wishes nothing but the best for her. He would not comment on the rumors Bella may have hired someone to hurt her in order to get back at him for calling off the wedding.

Well, shit. If only he’d come home twenty minutes later, after she’d read the other articles. She’d have to make him understand the timing had been horrible and that she fought believing he could have ever committed such a horrific crime. Not to mention that her ex hadn’t sent her all the information. She scrolled through a few more articles, all indicating that JW had been falsely accused, and he’d been exonerated from all offenses. Based on what Kitty had read, Bella had gone into hiding, while JW remained in the public eye, constantly trying to show, without telling the world, he was indeed a good man, incapable of intentionally hurting anyone.

She tapped on Preston’s contact information and set the phone to speaker, resting it on her lap while she petted both dogs, feeling the comfort and love they provided.

“Finally,” Preston’s voice rang out so loud, both dogs popped their heads up, staring at her like she’d committed a crime.

“Why did you send me that link and not the rest of it?” No point in beating around the bush.

“What do you mean? I’ve talked with his ex. He’s a monster.”

“She’s a liar and a bitch,” she said with venom lacing every word. Any woman who would falsely accuse a man of such atrocities was no woman at all. “If you Google him and her, you will find out she made up the entire thing. He never laid a finger on her, and all charges were dropped.”

“That’s not what she says, and Eric said he’s—”

“Eric is a self-absorbed asshole who will do just about anything to get into a woman’s pants, or have you forgotten about him making a move on me while we were dating?”

The silence on the phone grew until it became deafening. Of course, Preston had forgotten considering he’d easily forgiven Eric, actually suggesting she’d led Eric on, as if his hands on her ass was her fault.

“I’m trying to protect my wife,” he said. “JW isn’t the man for you. I still love you, Kitty.”

She laughed.

“I don’t see what’s so funny.”

“For starters, I’m not your wife.” She cleared her throat. “You and Bella trying to break up me and JW, that’s what’s hysterical.” Only it worked. “I don’t love you, and I don’t want you in my life. Back off or the second I land in Baltimore, I will file a restraining order. And tell Eric and Bella to fuck off as well. JW has had it with her drama.” Before Preston could say another word, she hit the end button and dropped her head to the back of the sofa. “King and Kong, how the hell am I going to win JW back? If he was ever mine to begin with.”

Chapter Eleven

JW waited until well after two in the afternoon before heading back to the main house. He avoided going back there until after he knew Kitty had to leave to catch her flight; he had plenty to deal with, considering he almost lost a cow last night. Thankfully, he’d been able to save the cow and the calf. Both were thriving, and there was no reason for him to hover over them. Hell, technically, he was still on vacation, and everyone on the ranch had reminded him of that.

He checked with the housekeeper who had informed him that the dogs had been let out and fed. He hadn’t asked if Kitty had done it or if she’d left the ranch, and his housekeeper hadn’t offered the information. He had to assume Kitty was now tucked away on a plane somewhere in the sky. He thought about checking with his driver, but he figured if there had been a problem, his driver would have called.

He pushed open the garage door, heading into his house through the family room instead of the foyer. King and Kong greeted him in their usual fashion with their tails wagging, but Kong kept rushing toward the entrance to the kitchen. “What is it, Kong?”

He jumped on his hind legs and yelped, something he did when he was happy, which sent JW into a darker mood. If his dogs were happy she was gone, that said a lot.

Digging into the jar of treats by the door, he pulled out some jerky. “Here you go.” He patted the dogs on their heads before dropping the treats to the ground. They were all he needed. They were loyal and understood that actions spoke louder than anything else, including stupid, outdated newspaper articles.

He reminded himself that Kitty leaving had been for the best. No need to drag out a long-distance relationship that was doomed regardless of whether she believed in his innocence or not.

After kicking off his boots, his nostrils picked up the scent of buttered potatoes and if he wasn’t mistaken, beef and onions, much like the shepherd’s pie he’d experienced at McCurdy’s.

Wishful thinking on his part.

All he wanted was a hot shower and a bed, but not his bed. Not until he got the sweet smell of strawberries out of his sheets.

Kong stopped at the entrance to the kitchen and started barking nonstop. It was more like a frantic yelp. King started running in circles and growled.

“What the heck has gotten into the two of you? Do you need to go out?”

Neither dog stopped their insanity.

“If you’re missing Kitty, get over her. She’s not coming back.”

“I never left.” Kitty’s voice slapped his ears like a bull stepping on his chest.

His pulse jumped right out of his skin. Standing in the opening to the kitchen, he tilted his head, staring at the redheaded raven who wore an oversized apron.

He raised his wrist, glancing at his watch. “You missed your flight.”

“I know,” she said, tossing a dish rag over her shoulder like she’d done a dozen times in the pub.

The dogs continued to go nuts.

“To your beds,” she commanded as if she’d been dealing with King and Kong for their entire lives.

The dogs stopped barking and stared at her for a long second before scampering off to the doggie beds they almost never used unless commanded to when people other than family had been in the house, so the fact they did what she asked was beyond amazing.

“Classes start on Monday,” he said.

“There is a flight tomorrow morning at seven.”

“That is going to make for one exhausting first day of classes,” he said, setting his hat on the counter as he pulled back the kitchen stool. Last night, when he’d gotten closer, she’d moved away from him out of fear.

Today, she held her ground.

He wasn’t sure if that was good or not.

“We need to talk about what happened last night,” she said, bending in front of the oven. “Are you hungry?”

“I am,” he admitted. He wanted to let his guard down. He cared more about this woman than he dared to admit, but he didn’t want his heart stomped on again.

“Good. I made one of my favorites.” She pulled out one of his glass dishes. The fond memory of corn, onions, peppers, meat, and potatoes assaulted his good senses. “I’ve come to love that dish.”

“I’m glad,” she said, scooping out a healthy portion and slapping it on a dish.

He desperately tried to hold on to his anger. He told himself he was just protecting himself from the kind of pain that could kill a man.

“I’m sorry about I how reacted last night. You came home at about the worst time possible.” She leaned on the counter, her elbows resting on the granite, her hands cradling her cheeks. She held his gaze, her soft, green eyes lulling him into a world where Kitty became the center of attention.

“How so?”

“I’d read only the link my ex sent me.” She held up her hand, cutting him off from saying something really stupid, because the words forming in his brain would have come out sarcastic, not helping the situation at all. “All I knew the second you walked through the front door was that you’d been arrested, not that your ex had falsely accused you of something you didn’t do.”

“But you believed it.” He stumbled over the words, wishing he could forget the fear etched on her face. He appreciated she stayed to apologize, and he’d accept her apology, but it in no way erased that she thought the worst of him.

“That’s not true. I couldn’t fathom you doing anything like that, but the images were fresh in my mind. I hadn’t had time to process it and search for more information.”

He pushed the food around on the plate, taking a couple of bites. He could imagine the shock of finding out the man you’re sleeping with had been accused of physically hurting a woman. “You were still afraid of me,” he said.

“Not of you, but of what I read. And I was angry that you hadn’t told me about what happened. Finding out like that made it feel like you were hiding it from me.”

He lifted his gaze. Her green eyes filled with anxiety, not horror. “It’s not something you toss out there on the first couple of dates, especially when it’s supposed to be a one-night stand.”

“You knew what I went through with Preston.” She cocked her head. “And the second I got on that plane, we entered new territory.”

“Put yourself in my shoes. You saw how people reacted to me the other night. It doesn’t matter that I’m innocent; people still gossip, and Bella can still put on a show. To see that kind of distress in your face killed me.” A knot of anger fisted inside his gut. His family had thought he should have been more outspoken about his innocence from the beginning. They also thought he should have trashed his ex every chance he got, but that would have just made him look like an asshole.

In silence, Kitty untied the apron, folded it neatly, and set it on the counter. She dragged her fingers across the counter as she made her way to his side.

He swiveled the stool, and she eased herself between his legs, resting her soft hands on his shoulders. Holding her gaze, he took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I’m sorry I doubted you for even a second. I can’t take it back, but I’ll try like hell to make it up to you.”

“The shepherd’s pie was a good start.” He smoothed his hands over her hips. “Staying tonight might help.”

“Might help?”

He nodded, biting back a smile. “Letting me pay to rebook your flight might seal the deal.”

She pressed her chest against his, her fingers clasped behind his neck. “I might let you do that since I choked on the change fee when I looked into it.”

In a matter of minutes, his entire world changed.

Again.

“There is something you should know before you head home,” he said, wanting to make sure he didn’t fuck up his second chance.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Well, two things. First, I’m coming with you.”

“I’m going to be working, and I’ve got school,” she said with her lips less than an inch from his. “I’m not going to have a lot of free time.”

“I’ll take the breadcrumbs.”

“What’s the second?”

This was certainly going to be a buzzkill. “Bella will be in Baltimore.” Her name burned his tonsils as if he’d swallowed the stick he used to brand his logo onto his cattle.

“I know.”

He jerked his head back. “How? I just found out the day we got to the ranch.”

“Preston told me.”

“I’m not a jealous man, but I really hate that guy and wish you’d tell him to fuck off,” he muttered.

“I told him last night if he didn’t back off, I’d file a restraining order.”

He slipped his hands under her shirt, his fingers tickling her spine, forcing her to arch into him. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the arrest.” When his lips touched hers, a spark ignited deep in his soul. “I want this—us—to work.”

“It’s not going to be easy,” she said. Her eyes seemed to search his face for some kind of answer, or maybe understanding. “I’m not going to give up school. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am, and I want to be a teacher.”

He cupped her face, fanning his thumbs over her cheeks. “I’d never ask you to give up your dreams for me. I only ask that maybe there is a place for me, and this ranch, in your future.”

“In less than six months, I’ll need to put applications in for grad school. Let’s see how things go, and maybe I can get my master’s degree here.”

“You could really make a difference here on the ranch with the educational programs I’ve started.”

“I’d like to learn more about that.”

“Looks like I’m going to be racking up the frequent flyer miles over the next year.” He pressed his lips over hers and tangled their tongues in a promise of love and admiration. “You’re all I’ll ever need,” he whispered.

Epilogue

One year later…

JW leaned against the wall, staring at Kitty while she talked to her brother. She had removed her cap and gown, but the smile on her face when the dean handed her a rolled-up piece of paper that represented her degree probably would remain forever. He’d beamed with pride when they called her name and she walked across the stage. The last year had been tough and long. He’d flown out to Baltimore every chance he could, but it was never often enough. She’d only been to the ranch twice in the last year. Once during the holidays and once shortly after for an interview at the university. Teaching jobs were scarce in his community, but he knew how much teaching meant to her and how much taking care of his employees meant to him.

Her ideas for the educational expansion on the farm were nothing short of spectacular, and he wanted her to spearhead it.

Now, all he had to do was ask her.

And not just about the job.

He dug his hand into his pocket, fingering his mother’s engagement ring, second-guessing whether he should give it to her or not. The last woman had refused because it wasn’t glitzy enough.

“You look like a man who’s terrified of what he’s about to do,” Patrick said as he handed JW a drink.

“I’m afraid she’ll say no,” JW admitted.

“She’s moving to Idaho; I doubt she’ll say no.”

“There is room at the ranch for everyone.” JW had offered it before, and her family knew they were always welcome, even if they wanted to make it permanent.

“Trust me, we’ll be visiting on a regular basis.” Patrick slapped JW on the shoulder. “Now tell me what is bugging you, son.”

Over the course of the last year, her father had become more than possibly a future father-in-law, but a man JW valued and looked up to. Patrick had worked hard his entire life to support his family. He was a proud man.

A good man.

The kind of man, husband, and father JW aspired to be.

“I’m honestly afraid she’ll hate the ring.” His mother’s elegant, but small diamond was nothing like the extravagant ring set he’d seen in pictures from when she’d been married to Preston. Sure, JW could more than afford to buy her whatever she wanted, and he would, but having the woman he loved wear his mother’s ring meant the world to him.

“You’re overthinking this.” Patrick gave him a nudge. “Now get over there and ask my daughter to marry you before my wife lets the cat out of the bag. Twice today, she’s taken Kitty by the hand, looking at her finger, then frowning when there is nothing there to scream over.”

“What, here? Now?” JW swallowed the thick lump that had formed in his throat earlier that day, making it impossible to propose anytime they had been alone. What made her father think he could do it in front of her family?

“Yes. Hey, Kitty.” Patrick waved. “JW needs a word with you.”

“I can’t believe you just tossed me under the bus,” he muttered.

“Break my little girl’s heart, and I’ll drive the bus over you.”

“Not helping.” JW sucked in a deep breath as Kitty glided across the room like an angel floating down from heaven. Everything about her made him want to be a better person. Her smile filled the room and his heart with love.

“Hey there, Cowboy,” she mused, gliding her fingers up his one and only sport coat. “You dress up real nice.”

“I feel naked without my hat, which by the way, I’ve finally broken in.”

“I was thinking that one might look better—”

He pressed his index finger to her moist, plump lips. “Break in your own and before I lose my nerve.” He cleared his throat. “I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” With a shaky hand, he held up the ring.

She gasped. “Is that an engagement ring?”

Butterflies filled his stomach. Kitty was his life. His future. Nothing made sense without her. But the memory of his mother was equally important. He wanted to honor her in a way that would have made her proud. “It was my mother’s.” He slid it onto her finger.

“Oh, my God, JW.” She covered her mouth. “It’s beautiful.”

“You like it?”

“I love it, and it’s that much more special that it was your mother’s. Are you sure your siblings won’t mind you giving it to me?”

“They approve. The only question now is will you marry me?” The words tumbled out of his mouth like a summer breeze jostling the flowers in the meadow. This didn’t just feel right, it was right.

A single tear pooled at the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek.

He wiped it away with his thumb.

“Yes. Yes. A million times yes.” She nodded, tossing her arms around his shoulders, smacking her lips against his.

“Finally,” her mother exclaimed. “Now, when can I expect a grandbaby?”

“You know,” he whispered in her ear, “I’m not opposed to starting a family right away.”

“Neither am I,” she said.

Thank you for taking the time to read JOHNNIE WALKER. I hope you enjoyed! Please feel free to leave an HONEST review on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads.

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Also by Jen Talty

NY State Trooper Series

IN TWO WEEKS

DARK WATER

DEADLY SECRETS

MURDER IN PARADISE BAY

TO PROTECT HIS OWN

DEADLY SEDUCTION

WHEN A STRANGER CALLS

NY State Trooper Novella

HIS DEADLY PAST

Brand New Novella for the First Responders series

A spin off from the NY State Troopers series

PLAYING WITH FIRE

PRIVATE CONVERSATION

The Men of Thief Lake

REKINDLED

DESTINY’S DREAM

Other novels

JANE DOE’S RETURN

THE BUTTERFLY MURDERS

The Aegis Network

THE LIGHTHOUSE

HER LAST HOPE

THE LAST FLIGHT

THE RETURN HOME

Coming soon!

THE MATRIARCH

The Collective Order

THE LOST SISTER

THE LOST SOLDIER

THE LOST SOUL

Coming soon!

THE LOST CONNECTION

Special Forces Operation Alpha

BURNING DESIRE

BURNING KISS

BURNING SKIES

BURNING LIES

BURNING HEART

BURNING BED

REMEMBER ME ALWAYS

The Brotherhood Protectors

ROUGH JUSTICE

ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES

ROUGH RIDE

ROUGH EDGE

The Twilight Crossing Series

THE BLIND DATE

SPRING FLING

SUMMER’S GONE

WINTER WEDDING

Witches and Werewolves

LADY SASS

ALL THAT SASS

Coming soon!

NEON SASS

PAINTING SASS

Boxsets

LOVE CHRISTMAS, MOVIES

UNFORGETABLE PASSION

A NIGHT SHE’LL REMEMBER

SWEET AND SASSY IN THE SNOW

SWEET AMD SASSY Prince Charming

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About the Author

Welcome to my World! I'm a USA Today Bestseller of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance.

I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.

I'm currently enjoying the next phase of my life...the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.

Sign up for my Newsletter (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6atcf7g1be) where I often give away free books before publication.

Join my private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/) where I post exclusive excerpts and discuss all things murder and love!

Never miss a new release. Follow me on Amazon:amazon.com/author/jentalty

And on Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/jen-talty

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