Texas Tough (The Tylers of Texas 2)

He walked to the office door, then paused to look back at her, one black eyebrow quirked upward. “About that unfinished business . . . This was a lot of fun, but whether it happens again is up to you. You know where to find me.”

As the door closed softly behind him, Lauren squelched the urge to pick up the nearest heavy object and fling it after him. Furious tears stung her eyes as she pulled up her jeans. She’d had enough experience with men to know that once they’d scratched that itch, it was back to business as usual. But Sky had been so abrupt, almost cold. She felt as if she’d just been doused with ice water.

Well, never mind, she’d learned her lesson. And if he was expecting her to come around begging for more, the man would grow old waiting. There’d be ice skating in hell before she let down her guard with Sky Fletcher again.

All the same, his brusqueness had stung her.

Walking back around the desk, she sank into the chair and stared at the computer screen. She didn’t feel much like working. But she wasn’t ready to go home and face her father. And in her present frame of mind, driving into town was probably a bad idea.

She’d taken this job, in addition to accounting work for the Prescott ranch, in order to add experience to her skimpy résumé. But on the days when her father was at home—browbeating her about her reputation and the need to take an active part in his campaign, the Tyler office had become her refuge. At twenty-two, she was determined to build her own future. And that future didn’t include becoming a pawn in Garn Prescott’s political game.

On her first day here Lauren had recognized the steel blue Ford pickup—the one she’d first seen parked outside that honkytonk in Blanco Springs. She’d learned from Beau that its lean, dark, and oh-so-hot owner was Sky Fletcher, the Rimrock’s legendary horse whisperer.

That night at the Blue Coyote she hadn’t even known his name. She’d known only that she’d hit bottom, and the fast-track cure for the pain was to get drunk and get laid. She’d been partway to drunk when the sexy cowboy had shown up in her booth. Sin-black hair, cobalt eyes, and a slow, melting smile . . . It was as if the devil had read her mind and granted her wish.

But nothing had happened—except that she’d thrown herself at him and made a fool of herself. And now she’d done it again.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She was supposed to have married the man she loved and settled down to raising the family she’d wanted. But Mike’s suicide, just a year ago, had sent her into a downward spiral from which she was still crashing.

That’s why she’d come to Texas, a place she barely remembered, with a father she hadn’t seen in years. She’d hoped the change would help her heal. But she should have known better. The bouts of reckless behavior had followed her here.

Until she’d regained control of her life, the last thing she needed was another man—especially a blue-eyed heartbreaker with a knack for pushing her libido over the edge and then walking away.

Clicking the mouse to refresh the computer screen, she forced herself to focus on her work. Sky Fletcher may have shot her over the moon, but she’d fallen back to earth now. The sexy horse whisperer had made a fool of her for the last time.

CHAPTER 3

It was late afternoon by the time the black Corvette pulled away from the house

and sped down the dusty lane toward the highway.

Sky was in the smaller of the two round pens, working a year-old bay gelding on a lead. He heard the growl of the engine and the crunch of tires spitting gravel, but he didn’t turn around and look. After the way he’d walked out on her, telling her she’d know where to find him, Miss Lauren Prescott wouldn’t be throwing him any good-bye kisses.

Not that he was proud of the way he’d treated her. For the most part, he liked to think of himself as a gentleman. But today he hadn’t been in a gentlemanly frame of mind. He’d needed a rush to fill the aching void inside him. And Lauren, so sexy and vulnerable—and so damned willing—had been there.

Was there any excuse for having treated the congressman’s daughter like a common tramp? Had he wanted to make somebody—anybody—hurt like he was hurting? Had he wanted to prove that he could have sex with a snooty, rich white girl and walk away without feeling a thing—the way Bull Tyler had walked away from his mother?

A powerful yank on the lead rope reminded him that he needed to stay focused. Sky’s method of starting young horses demanded concentration. This promising colt deserved the best he had to give.

“Easy boy . . .” he murmured, using touch and voice to create a sense of safety. “That’s it. You’re doing fine. . . .”

He ended the training session by rubbing the horse down with his bare hands and turning it into the paddock. By now the afternoon was getting on, and he still hadn’t heard how Jasper was doing. Sky had worried about the old cowboy all day. He’d asked Will to call if there was any news. But if Jasper had taken a turn for the worse, Will would have more urgent concerns on his mind.

Deciding to make the call himself, Sky reached for his cell phone. But no sooner had he fished it out of his pocket than it rang. The caller was Will. Bracing himself for bad news, Sky pushed the answer button.

“Will? What’s happening? How’s Jasper?”

“He’s one tough old buzzard.” Will’s voice sounded tired but upbeat. “The doctor says his vitals have stabilized and his lungs are starting to clear. He’s grumpy as hell, but I guess that’s a good sign.”

“Thank God.” Sky felt himself breathe again.

“Bernice wants to stay the night at the hospital, and Erin’s going with her mother. But Beau and I will be coming home before long to get some rest.”

“Anything I can do?” Sky asked.

“You’ve done plenty, staying to take care of things. Since Bernice won’t be there to cook, we’re picking up a couple of pizzas on the way home. We’ll make a bachelor night of it, maybe unwind by watching some baseball for as long as we can stay awake. We’re hoping you can join us.”

Could he handle that? Sharing an evening with his half brothers? But nothing had changed except what he knew, Sky reminded himself. He’d already made the decision to carry on as usual. That would include joining Will and Beau in the house for pizza and beer.