Whirlwind (The Champions 1)

“This is roughing it?”

“Only if you’re Brock. Come on, the pizza’s ready. I hope you like supreme.”

A bar with stools divided the kitchen from the sitting area. Shane had set out two plates with the pizza box between them. As Lexie took a seat, he took two chilled Coronas from the small fridge, passed one to her, and scooped a slice of pizza onto her plate.

“How does that look to you?”

“Good. Thanks.” Lexie took a sip of the cold beer, her anxiety easing. Something about Shane’s manner made her feel comfortable—not a good thing, she reminded herself. Shane had his own agenda, and it wasn’t just to charm her.

“I hope you didn’t come alone,” he said, making conversation. “Where’s your foreman?”

“We had a contract to take bulls to Flagstaff. That job fell to Ruben. But our neighbor, Aaron, offered to come with me. I gave him a break after we unloaded. We have rooms reserved at a place just outside the fairgrounds. I found it online. It was close and cheap. The Twilight Siesta Motel. Do you know it?”

“Oh, good Lord!” Shane shook his head. “Did you see the place before you paid?”

“Only the photos on the computer. It looked okay—and it’s not like I could afford a fancy hotel, especially since the ranch is paying for two rooms.” She stared at him, puzzled by his dismayed expression. “Why? Is there something I should know?”

He exhaled. “The place is a dump, Lexie. It’s worse than a dump. It’s a hangout for drug dealers and prostitutes. You can’t stay there. It isn’t safe.”

Feeling like a scolded child, Lexie let his words sink in. She should’ve known there was a catch to those cheap room rates. But it was too late to change her plans. “I don’t have much choice,” she said. “I’ve already paid. And Aaron could already be in his room. What about him? Will he be all right?”

“He should be okay as long as he watches his back and keeps his door locked. But not you. A pretty young woman would be asking for trouble.”

“But surely, with Aaron there, right next door, I’ll be all right.”

“Don’t even think about staying there. In fact, you might want to call your friend and warn him about the place.”

“I can do that much.” Lexie found her phone in her purse. “Is there someplace else I can tell him to go?”

“With the rodeo in town, every room’s liable to be booked. But you can at least tell him to be careful.”

Lexie scrolled to Aaron’s phone number, which she’d added just before the trip. His phone rang once, then again and again before going to voice mail.

Why wasn’t he picking up? What if something had happened to him?

Concern growing, she left a brief message. “Aaron, I’ve heard some scary things about our motel. I need to know you’re all right. Be careful, and call me, please.”

She ended the call and laid the phone on the table. “Now I’m getting worried,” she said. “I told Aaron to leave his phone on in case I needed him.”

“Don’t panic yet,” Shane said. “Maybe he’s in the shower. Or maybe he just didn’t hear the ring. Give him a few minutes. And eat your pizza. It’s getting cold.”

Lexie nibbled her pizza slice, her appetite gone. She’d accepted Shane’s invitation as a way to get him talking about his boss and any plans involving Whirlwind or the ranch. But things weren’t turning out that way.

“You’re welcome to stay here,” he said. “That leather love seat makes out into a bed. I’d be fine with sleeping there and letting you have the bedroom.”

Lexie’s pulse slammed—needlessly, she thought. So

far, Shane had been a perfect gentleman. But whatever the reason, she wasn’t ready to spend a night in this luxurious bachelor’s nest. Sleeping in her truck would be a smarter choice.

He seemed to read her hesitation. His eyes drilled into hers as he spoke. “Let me make one thing clear, Lexie,” he said. “I like women. I like them a lot. But I like my women a hundred percent willing. I happen to think you’re beautiful. But I would never try to take advantage of you or do anything to make you uncomfortable. Where you spend the night will be your choice. Take your time and let me know.”

“Thank you, I will,” she murmured. Again, he was a half step ahead of her, disarming her with a show of honesty. But he wasn’t being honest about everything—for one thing, his finding her and coming up with a reason to invite her into the trailer seemed almost too much like a plan. Not that he was out to seduce her—if Shane just wanted a woman, there were plenty available. It was more like he was trying to win her confidence in order to manipulate her.

Even his description of the motel could be a ploy. For all she knew, the place might be just fine. Aaron should be able to tell her—if she could reach him on his blasted phone.

“I’m still worried about Aaron,” she said. “I won’t rest easy until I know he’s all right.”

“I have a suggestion,” Shane said. “If you have the number of the motel, you could call the desk and find out whether he’s checked in.”