The Intriguing Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Read online

  “I love the ranch and always knew it was where I wanted to stay and work. Before Dad died we talked about it. He said I was a born rancher.

  “So when I went to college, I studied agriculture and animal husbandry. When I graduated, I received a degree in both. Then I came back and implemented some new ideas. The ranch is doing well.”

  “Your brothers and sister didn’t mind letting you take over?”

  Sam laughed. “They were noticeably relieved. No one else wanted the job.” He parked the car and came around to open her door. Then he helped her out and pulled her body close to his. He tipped her face up.

  “Let’s make a deal. You let me show you all the good parts of living in the country while you’re getting rehab.” He leaned down and brushed his lips across her mouth. “And I’ll show you how well we can get along together. If I can’t convince you to stay by the time your wrist is healed, then I’ll step back and let you go.”

  “Just like that? No recriminations or pleading?”

  “None.”

  “All right. But I’m warning you, I won’t change my mind.”

  “Maybe you’ll be surprised. I’ve got to get to work. See you this evening.”

  She watched as he strolled off to the barn. She admired his strong shoulders, his sexy butt, and his long legs encased in faded, worn jeans. He was one good-looking cowboy.

  Her body shivered in anticipation of their deal. She’d seen the look in his eyes and knew he planned on getting to know her in more ways than one. A fling would be fun, but she mustn’t let her heart get involved. She planned to leave Frontier City and head to Washington, DC, as soon as her wrist had recovered as much as it could.

  She moved her wrist around and remembered the doctor’s warning. He’d said it would never be as strong as it had been before the break.

  Her injuries had taken away many of the opportunities she’d had before in her undercover job. No matter how she tried to deny the changes in her life, they were there.

  Chapter Two

  Sam knocked on Sylvia’s bedroom door early the next morning. “Get up. I’m going to show you around the ranch.”

  “Go away. No normal person is awake at this hour.”

  “It’s already five thirty. I’ve usually eaten my breakfast by now.”

  “Your poor mother.” Sylvia opened the door. She’d put on her pink robe. She was barefooted and frowning. “What has got into you?”

  “You agreed to let me show you some of the pleasures of living on a ranch.”

  “If getting up this early is part of it, count me out. The sun isn’t even up yet.”

  “It will be soon. Come on. I have egg sandwiches, coffee, and coffee cake packed in my saddlebag. We’ll watch the sun come up together. Hurry.”

  “Oh, all right. I’m awake now.”

  Sam paced outside her room. He really wanted to go inside, pull off her robe and gown, and make love to her. But this was too soon, and they were staying in his mother’s house. When the door opened after a few minutes, he gave a sigh of relief.

  “You were quick.” He took her good hand and pulled her along the hallway. They went out the back door to his truck.

  “We’d ride horses, but with your cast off I don’t want you to hurt your wrist.” Soon, they were bouncing over back roads. He knew just the spot to take her. They were driving through the hilly section of the ranch. He went up to the highest level and parked.

  A wide-open prairie stretched for miles in front of them with the mountains farther in the distance. Sam reached behind him and handed Sylvia the canteen of coffee and two cups. “You can pour while I unwrap our sandwiches.”

  The coffee and sandwiches were hot and tasty. “This is good. Did your mom get up early to fix us this breakfast?”

  “No, I’d never ask her to do that. I cooked the eggs, made the sandwiches and coffee. Then I cut up some of Mom’s coffee cake.” He handed her another wrapped package. “Now look around you.”

  Sunlight was just starting to show at the horizon. Dew sparkled on the grass and wildflowers. Then the sun popped up as though pulled by an unseen cord. Birds flew out of the trees and in the distance a cow mooed.

  He watched the expression on Sylvia’s face. It was unguarded. She smiled at the vista in front of her. Every time he took a breath, he caught the sweet scent of lavender and rose.

  She glanced at him. “You aren’t watching the sunrise.”

  “I’ve seen it a number of times. It’s always beautiful, but this morning I’m enjoying another view just as lovely.”

  A blush covered her cheeks. He reached out and slid his fingers along the soft skin of her face. Her green eyes darkened as she stared at him.

  “You know it’s only a matter of time before we make love.”

  “Perhaps I’m not interested in making love.”

  He ran his finger across her full bottom lip. “You are.”

  “Men, you are always so sure of yourselves.”

  Sam smiled. “I am. You wouldn’t be interested, if I wasn’t. You want a strong man, one stronger than you.”

  “And you think you are that man?”

  “I know I am.” He pulled his hand back and picked up his coffee cup from the holder. Then he stared out at his land.

  * * * *

  Sylvia was more moved than she expected. She didn’t want to like him too much. She studied his profile. She watched his throat move as he swallowed his coffee. He had a firm jaw and chiseled cheeks. There was a quiet strength about him.

  He reminded her of her stepfather, Dan Piercy. Some might have thought his quietness was from weakness, but it wasn’t. When their mother left her and Gina with him, he loved them, disciplined them, and helped them grow into strong women. Sam would be the same way with any children he had.

  Sylvia forced herself to look back at the scene in front of her. She was treading dangerous waters getting interested in Sam Brodie.

  “Do you own all this land?” Sylvia asked to take her thoughts off of the man sitting next to her.

  “As far as the eye can see. Dad bought lots of land. He pictured us all living here. Garth lives on a portion of the ranch, but Dirk and Rand wanted their own place. Clay is a businessman. He’ll never settle here, and my sister, Grace, well, I don’t know whether she’ll stay in New York or come home for good. I miss her. She’ll be here Monday to help me furnish my new house.”

  “You have a new house?”

  “Yes. I thought we’d ride out there tomorrow. I’ll show you around, and then I’ll take you to visit Gina. But for now, I’ll drive you back to Mom’s house. I have to go to work.”

  He gathered up the trash and put it in a bag, then started the truck. They didn’t talk on the way back.

  When Sylvia started to open her door and get out, he stopped her and pulled her close. “I ought to get a good-morning kiss for breakfast.”

  His hand cupped around her neck and he drew her to him. Slowly, he lowered his head, and his mouth touched hers. Then he gathered her into his arms and kissed her hard. “Don’t forget me. See you later.”

  * * * *

  Sylvia slipped inside the house and went to her bedroom. She stood at the mirror and touched her lips. Her heart still pounded from the feeling of being held in his arms. Sam didn’t fit the image she had of the man she’d fall in love with, not at all. She’d dated many men and had a few affairs, but not as many as people thought. She let them believe what they wanted to and rather enjoyed her reputation as a femme fatale.

  She touched the ragged scar from the cut she had received on the right side of her face. She must see a plastic surgeon when her wrist was well. When Sam called her beautiful, she almost forgot that she wasn’t anymore. But until it was removed, she’d never feel pretty again. Others would look at her in pity.

  Sylvia went to the computer in the den and looked up plastic surgeons in Washington then she checked their credentials. One doctor was considered outstanding. She’d make an appointment with him as
soon as she had a discharge date from rehab.

  Until then, she had Sam to make her feel better. The phone rang as she got up from the computer. She waited a moment, but Mrs. Brodie didn’t answer. Sylvia picked up the receiver.

  “Hello, this is the Brodie residence.”

  “I know where you are. When the time is right, we will meet.” The person disconnected the call.

  Sylvia stared at the phone. Who was it, and what did they want with her? All the reports she’d heard said they’d gotten all the members of the group they’d been after. Did they miss one? Checking the phone, she wrote down the last incoming call’s number, then she went back to her room and got her phone. She punched in her boss’s number.

  “Sylvia, how can I help you?”

  “You told me you got everyone.”

  “We did.”

  “No. Someone just called me. The voice was garbled, but I think it was a woman. She knows where I am and is going to contact me later.”

  “Did you get the number?”

  “I did, but it’s probably one of those throwaway phones.”

  “Give it to me anyway. I’ll check it out, and then I’ll call Graham. Someone needs to keep an eye out for you.”

  Sylvia told him the phone number and hung up. She wasn’t sure whether to tell Sam or not. But if someone came snooping around for her, Mrs. Brodie might get hurt. She took out her cell phone to call him.

  “Good morning, Sylvia.” Mrs. Brodie stood in the doorway. Her arms were full of flowers from her garden.

  “Good morning. I wondered where you’d gone to.”

  “I like to get my flowers early and arrange them in vases before they can wilt. Do you want to help?”

  “Sure.” Sylvia put her cell phone in her pocket. She’d call Sam later. She followed Mrs. Brodie into the laundry room, where she had a long table with all the empty vases setting on it.

  “You start at that end and I’ll start here.” Mrs. Brodie filled a vase partially full of water and started making arrangements with the flowers she’d laid on the table.

  “Do you want them a certain way?”

  “No, dear. You fix them anyway you’d like.” She glanced at Sylvia. “I noticed you were gone early this morning.”

  “Sam took me out to see the sunrise. It was lovely with all the wildflowers blooming and birds waking up.”

  “One of my favorite sights.”

  “Didn’t you mind moving here and having to get up early and work so hard? It must have been difficult at first, especially with having all your children so close.”

  “It would have been, if I wasn’t so in love with my husband. I also loved the land almost immediately. We worked to build up the ranch and have a good life for our children and ourselves.

  “Sam is attracted to you.” Mrs. Brodie stopped arranging her flowers and turned toward Sylvia. “I’ve gotten the impression that you don’t care for living in the country, and Sam is totally a country boy.”

  “I know. I’ve tried to tell him we’re two very different people.”

  “I’ve heard opposites attract, but it doesn’t work unless they can find a happy medium. Rand was engaged to another doctor and she wanted to work and live in the city. When Rand realized he wanted to be a country doctor, they split up.”

  “Are you warning me away from Sam, Mrs. Brodie? Because he is pretty persistent.”

  “No, you two have to work it out, or not, in your own way. I guess I am a little worried. Sam’s always been so self-possessed and realistic. I’ve never had to be concerned about him.”

  “If it’s any help, I don’t want to hurt him.”

  “I know dear. Please ignore me. Sam would hate it if he knew I’d even brought up this subject.”

  “I won’t tell him.”

  “You’re a sweet girl like your sister. You just haven’t found your place yet. Maybe it will be with Sam.”

  “There’re my favorite girls. Did I hear my name?”

  “You shouldn’t be listening in to other people’s conversations,” his mother said. “But don’t worry, anytime I say your name it’s something good.”

  Sam walked into the laundry and put one arm around his mother and the other around Sylvia. “It’s lunchtime. I’m hungry.”

  “Men”—his mother shook her head—“they’re like homing pigeons when it’s time to eat. I’ll go fix lunch for all of us. Sylvia, do you mind finishing the arrangements in the last three vases?”

  “I’ll help her.”

  “If he gets in the way, send him to help me,” Mrs. Brodie said as she walked out of the laundry room.

  Sam moved his body against Sylvia’s. She was caught between him and the table behind her.

  He sniffed her hair. “I couldn’t get you out of my mind. I kept picturing you standing at the bedroom door in your pink robe, barefoot, and with your hair all soft and wavy.”

  His hard cock rubbed against her abdomen, stirring feelings she was trying to suppress. She pushed at his shoulders, and he stepped back less than an inch. His scent of fresh air, sandalwood, and musk made her want to get closer, but she remembered Mrs. Brodie’s words.

  “We can’t do this, Sam. We’re too different as I’ve said before. I’ll end up leaving, and you’ll be hurt.”

  “Quit worrying about me. I can take care of myself. You said you’d give me a chance to convince you about country life. I won’t let you change your mind now.”

  “I think your mother is worried about us.”

  “She worries about all of her children, but less once they’re married.”

  The feel of his strong, muscled body against hers made her knees weak. She put her arms around his neck. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Rising on her tiptoes, she kissed him.

  “You call that a kiss.” Sam put one hand behind her hips, holding her tight against his aroused cock, and one hand at the back of her head, then he kissed her.

  When she opened her mouth, his tongue slid in. He touched and tasted all of the soft interior.

  Sylvia’s heart pounded against his chest, and her pussy pulsed with desire. Deep inside, a craving for this man sent smoldering heat spreading across her body. With his lips and body he teased and tantalized her.

  “Lunch is ready.” Mrs. Brodie’s words had them jumping apart. She glanced at the vases. “I see Sylvia didn’t get a chance to finish with the flowers.”

  “I’ll do them right now.” Her face was hot from embarrassment. Sylvia turned and grabbed a vase and some flowers.

  “Thank you,” Mrs. Brodie said. “Sam, you can come eat.”

  She waited until he came to the door to follow her to the kitchen.

  Once they were out of sight, Sylvia took a deep breath. She’d never been so mortified. Hopefully, Mrs. Brodie wouldn’t think she was trying to seduce her son. She started to work on arranging the flowers in the last vases. By the time she got to the kitchen maybe Sam would be almost through and ready to return to work.

  * * * *

  Sam glanced at his mom walking beside him. He knew as soon as they got to the kitchen she’d have something to say. He loved her and didn’t want to hurt her, but nothing she said would make a difference. He’d tried to tell himself to stay away from Sylvia, but it was like telling a moth to avoid the lights. He was fascinated by her. Her looks, her voice, her scent, all called to something in him. If he didn’t at least try to win her, he’d regret it.

  His mom went to the counter and got a plate filled with tuna salad and chips. She placed it on the table by a tall glass of tea. “Sit. We need to talk.”

  “Mom, I’m not a teenager anymore.”

  “No, but you may be acting like one. I know you’re very attracted to Sylvia, and she’s a nice young woman.”

  “But?” Her words had him straightening his posture and pushing his shoulders back.

  “She’s a city girl.” His mother sat across from him. “You won’t change her. You’ll get hurt.”

  “I realize the chance I
’m taking. I’ve chosen to pursue her in spite of her warnings to me. I wish all the women in my life would quit trying to protect me. Do I seem so soft and weak that I can’t take care of myself?” Sam frowned and felt the muscles in his body tightening.

  “Of course not. But a mother hates to see her children get hurt, even when they’re adults.”

  Sam raised his chin. “This is something I want to do. I have to pursue this, or I’ll regret it the rest of my life. You’ve always trusted my judgment. Don’t stop now.”

  He was angry, but he tried to hold it in. Actually it wasn’t so much anger as hurt. He recalled talking with Rand. They were all concerned. Part of his pride had been knowing his family saw him as strong, realistic, someone they could rely on. But was it all a façade? Now, the first time he made a decision they didn’t agree with, they were treating him as the youngest son and brother?

  “Sam, did you hear what I said?”

  “No, Mom. I was thinking.”

  “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I won’t mention this to you again.”

  Sam gave her a curt nod and started to eat. Mom wouldn’t mention it, but he knew she’d still worry.

  His plans to move into his new home next week came at just the right time. He needed to be on his own completely and should have made the move much sooner. But he had hated to leave Mom alone. Perhaps living here had added to his family’s impression that he wasn’t ready to be independent.

  Obviously, he had work to do to show them he was his own man, and he didn’t need the family protecting him from Sylvia. He’d made his own decision to go after what he wanted. It was up to him to make it happen.

  Chapter Three

  Sylvia felt the tension in the air as soon as she entered the kitchen. Mrs. Brodie stood at the sink washing a few dishes, and Sam was busy eating. He glanced up at her and smiled.

  “Join me. Mom has made some really good tuna salad.”

  Mrs. Brodie brought a plate to the table and placed it to Sam’s left. “Sit and enjoy.”

  “Thanks. I finished the flowers, but I wasn’t sure where to put the vases.”