nowhere. And I ain’t talkin’ the examples you gave me—valid as they are. What’s the biggest reason you want this?”
Fuck. So much for his life as a con man. “Tanna.”
“What about her?”
“I’m crazy about her. Tanna and I have been seeing each other off and on since before the branding. With this break, I’ve got the chance to be with her without phone calls interrupting me all hours of the night, or trying to squeeze time to see her after I’ve worked a seventeen-hour day. If she’s not interested, so be it. But I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t believe there’s something between us worth exploring . . . if we had the time. And now we do.”
Renner sighed. “I know exactly what you’re saying. Before I met Tierney, I had no life besides work. While I love how I make my living, I love my wife more. And I hear her voice in the back of my head, telling me this is one of those romantic gestures women love so much. So I’ll agree to it. But if you and Tanna part ways, you’ll have to leave, not her.”
“Understood. And thanks, man, I owe you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Fletch looked longingly at his big-screen TV, his state-of-the-art computer system, and his custom-made bed as he packed for his odd adventure. Then he reminded himself there were more important things at stake than creature comforts.
He loaded medical magazines and reference tomes in two duffel bags. His laptop and Wi-Fi connection ended up in his overnight bag along with cords for all his electronic devices. Glancing at the pile of stuff at his front door, he thought to himself, So much for packing light. He’d have to come back for the rest later. He wanted to be sitting on the deck of his trailer when Tanna walked by after work. Maybe he’d act all casual-like—kicked back in a lawn chair, wearing board shorts and a puka-shell necklace, strumming a guitar in his bare feet.
Hey, the laid-back image worked for Devin McClain and Tanna had seemed to like him a whole helluva lot.
She likes you a whole helluva lot—she said so, remember?
House locked up tight, supplies laid in—at least enough to get him through supper tonight and breakfast tomorrow, he started toward the Split Rock.
As he reached the outskirts of Rawlins, he debated on stopping by his dad’s place to say good-bye. The devil on his left shoulder reminded him that his father had conspired with Cora behind his back. The angel on his right shoulder reminded him his father would be gone for six weeks.
The devil won out. No surprise, he usually did.
Fletch let his mind wander on the drive. When he was on duty, driving from ranch to ranch, he focused on what the issues might be at his next stop. His focus was so absolute he barely noticed the scenery, reminding himself he’d lived in this area nearly all his life. So this time, he watched the topography change, marveling at how fast that change occurred. Although most of his friends were in the ranching business, their land was vastly different from one another’s.
No one was in the office besides Renner when Fletch stopped in to pick up the key to the trailer. They spent very little time talking specifics on what Renner considered priorities with the breeding program. Fletch wasn’t surprised to learn that Tobin was in charge. Wouldn’t that be a change, having a coworker? He hadn’t been forced to mesh personalities or differing ideas with anyone since he’d started his own business. Preferring to do things his own way, at his own speed, was the major reason he’d gone into business for himself in the first place.
But he liked Tobin. He respected him. Now if he could just stop thinking of him as a kid. Tobin was only three years younger than Hugh, and Fletch didn’t consider him a kid.
He’d managed to avoid Tanna as he’d left the lodge. After unloading his stuff, he stared at the queen-sized bed and his back spasmed in protest. Guess he’d add furniture store to his list of places to stop in Rawlins tomorrow.
Three cans of ravioli and four pieces of wheat toast served as supper. He tried organizing his reference materials, but he was too antsy.
Since Renner had given him the green light for a small grated fire on the deck, he traipsed through the wooded area behind the trailers, looking for deadwood. Took three trips until he had enough to last a couple of nights. He busted the dry limbs into manageable pieces and figured he’d start the fire at dusk.
No surprise Tobin stopped by. As well as Hugh. They didn’t question his sudden change of residence and they both seemed happy he’d be around for a while. When pressed on his daily plans, Fletch remained vague, not wanting to commit to anything until he’d had a chance to talk to Tanna.
After the guys left, Dave and Yvette, the property caretaker and his wife, who headed up the housekeeping and laundry for the lodge, wandered over. They’d been married forty years and relocated to Wyoming after Dave retired from the military. With Yvette’s years of experience in the housekeeping side of the hotel industry, they’d seized the chance to get to work together at the Split Rock and live in the gorgeous Wyoming countryside. Of course, Fletch hadn’t known any of this at the outset of the conversation. Surprised him sometimes at how easily people just told all to a stranger.
His heart beat a little harder when he heard the creak of footsteps on the planked walkway. He kept his focus on the crackling fire.
The footsteps stopped.
He glanced up at her, standing at the edge of his deck.
“Fletch? What in the world are you doin’ here?”
Man. He loved that honey-thick drawl of hers. “Nice evening, isn’t it?”
“Uh. Yeah. But . . .” Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest. “You have cattle stuff to do early in the morning and Renner is making you crash here?”
He shook his head.
“Were you out drinking with Tobin and Hugh and you’re too shitfaced to drive home?”
He shook his head again.
“Okay. I give up. Why are you parked in a lawn chair in front of a fire with your feet up? At ten at night? Drinking a . . . is that a wine cooler?”
“Tropical berry flavored. It’s what I had left over in my fridge at home. And since it’d been a particularly trying day, if I stopped at the liquor store to pick up a bottle of something, I’d be tempted to drink the whole thing. So I’m stuck with this ‘bitch beer’ as Bran calls it. I have more in the cooler if you’re interested in having a drink with me.”
Tanna squinted at him. “I need to change clothes.”
Fletch’s eyes wandered over her. He liked what he saw and he made sure she knew it. “Sugar twang, you always look fantastic. No matter what you are—or ain’t—wearing.”
“Sweet-talker.”
He hooked his foot around the plastic leg of the lawn chair, dragging it closer to the fire. “Have a seat.”
She plopped down, propping her feet next to his. “Now gimme a damn drink.”
He pulled out a cold bottle, twisted off the cap and passed it over. Clinking his bottle to hers, he said, “To the ass end of this day.”
“What did you do today, Dr. Fletcher, that made it so trying?”
Telling her that he got the smackdown from his office manager and father might give her the wrong impression, so he stretched the truth. “I wrapped up a few things before I closed down my office for six weeks.”
She choked on her drink. “Seriously? You’re taking six weeks off?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“Because I haven’t taken time off for an extended period . . . ever. My office manager wanted to book a long tour to Europe and I can’t run my practice without her, so I’m using the time to write a couple of articles for ag industry journals. Reading material that’s piled up in the last year. Resting up.”
“Is there a reason you didn’t share this tidbit when we were together this weekend?”
The look he gave her reminded her they’d had other things on their minds besides discussing schedules. Tanna blushed and he bit back a grin. “I wasn’t sure where I’d end up. This was just one of my option
s.” He bumped her knee with his. “And I didn’t want to get your hopes up.”
“Thoughtful of you.” She cocked her head and took a drink. “So, you’ll be here at the Split Rock the whole time?”
“If I stay at my place I’ll watch too much TV. Or I’ll head out to the bar. Or my clients will pester me. This place is a good hidey-hole. I can get my work done and if I have the hankering to get wild, well, I can always peg Tobin.” He locked his gaze to hers. “Or you.”
“I have to behave. I need this job.”
“I wasn’t suggesting we play strip poker in the main room of the lodge. Or go skinny-dipping in the new pool.”
“The cement pond is off-limits to employees unless there aren’t any guests around.”
He shrugged. “I prefer the lake, anyway.”
“Me too.”
“Yeah? I have access to a lake house. Rustic, but the fishing is good.”
“Bet the skinny-dipping is good too,” she said with a smirk.
“I haven’t tried it since I’ve only ever gone there with my dad. But if you’re interested, let me know and we’ll head up there for a day or two.”
“That does sound nice.”
Silence lingered.
Tanna glanced up and caught him staring at her, because he couldn’t stop. “You’re beautiful. The glow of the firelight looks good on you.”
She squinted at him. “Sweet Lord. Are you drunk?”
Tempting to laugh, but he merely shook his head. “Just observant.”
“You are surely tryin’ to rattle me.”
“Maybe.” He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “You aren’t gonna get all indignant on me now that I’ve complimented you, are you?”
Tanna shook her head.
“Can I ask . . . were you upset that I left on Sunday morning?”
“It wouldn’t have done me any good to get upset and it just would’ve made you feel like shit. Lives are at stake in your job. Do I wish the day would’ve played out differently? Some. But you did give me a memorable good-bye.”
“There is that. But then, I didn’t call you.”
“So? You knew I was working.”
“You providing excuses for me . . . that’s novel.”
She tipped her bottle at him. “I try to be memorable.”
The perfect opening. “I want more than just a memory, Tanna.” His heart sped up. “I’m sitting here acting all polite like, making conversation with you, while my brain keeps flashing to the image of your naked body. I keep hearing those sexy sounds you make when I’m inside you. I’m remembering how you taste. So, gorgeous, I’m just gonna lay it on the line. I want to be your lover for however long you’re in town.”
“You wanna be fuck buddies?”
He shook his head. “I can have that anytime I want and I’m sure you can too. I want something different. I’d like to try”—he gasped with complete exaggeration—“dating.”
“Really? Why?”
“It’ll be fun.”
Tanna didn’t look convinced. “Can I think about it?”
“Sure. I’ll give you fifteen seconds starting right now.”
“You are such a caveman.”
“You seemed to like that side of me well enough three times on Saturday night and once on Sunday morning.”
“Lord almighty, you never give up.”
“Not when I’ve found something worth keeping.” Fletch reached out and twisted a hank of her hair around his finger. “You also oughta know I’m not the sneaking around type. If we’re sleeping together then we’re together in public and private.”
Tanna closed her eyes and ducked her head.
Since Fletch had kept hold of her hair, he didn’t have to tug hard to get her attention. “What’s wrong?”
She looked at him. “It’s just been a while since I’ve heard that. I’ve gotten used to bein’ the wild girl a guy wants in his bed, behind closed doors. You know, the dirty girl, dirty little secret, hidden away in the light of day.”
He smiled, knew it looked predatory and didn’t care. “Oh, trust me, sugar twang, we’re gonna get plenty dirty behind closed doors. But everyone will understand that we’re together in every sense of the word when we’re out.” A look he’d never seen settled on her beautiful face. “What?”
“You are so fuckin’ hot when you say stuff like that.”
He brought them closer until they were within kissing distance. “What do you say we put out this fire so we can go inside and start another one?”
“With body friction?” she murmured, rubbing the side of her face against the stubble on his jaw. “I bet you can supply the wood.”
Fletch stood and grabbed the fire-dampening cover to snuff out the embers. When he glanced over at Tanna . . . all he could think was want. He hauled her to her feet and kissed her.
She twined herself around him and tried to scale his body.
Her passion kicked his into a higher gear and his cock pressed against his shorts. He clamped one hand around her hip and one in her hair as he herded her toward the door.
Reluctant as he was to break the kiss, he didn’t want to accidentally smack her in the head with the screen door because he was focused on getting her naked. He tore his mouth free. “Inside. Now.”
She rested her forehead against his chest. “Good idea. Tobin and Hugh need to pay for a show this hot.”
Damn woman cracked him up with her sass.
Once they were inside, he plastered her against the wall, slipping his thigh between hers, tugging her hips forward.
Tanna kissed him harder. Her hands were roving from his shoulders to squeeze his pecs, sliding down his stomach and then dipping below the waistband of his camo shorts.
His dick jerked, trying to jump into her hand.
Placing his hands over the tops of hers, he slipped them beneath his tank top, wanting to feel her touching more than his cock. He made a growling sound when her fingertips connected with each rib and her thumbs strummed his nipples. Then her hands dipped beneath his armpits and she clutched his back.
Tanna slowed the kiss, letting her tongue tease the seam of his lips. “I want you.”
“Good to know we’re on the same page.”
“I couldn’t believe my good luck in seeing you at the Split Rock.”
“So you were just playing hard to get?”
Those talented lips of hers followed the edge of his jaw to his neck. “Does it seem like I’m playing hard to get now?”
“No. God, no.” He groaned when she sucked on the section of skin below his ear.
“I want to nibble on you. Lick you. Suck on you while my fingers learn every ripple in this hard body of yours.” Her hands moved around to his chest. “I can explore later, right?”
“Uh. Right.”
“Because you have plans for me right now.”
“The more I hear that sexy drawl as your hands are on me, the more I’m losing my train of thought completely. All I can think about is bending you over the arm of the couch, because it’s closer than the bed, and fucking you until you scream.”
Tanna’s mouth grazed his ear. “So do it. I’ll even help you get started. Lift your arms.” She pulled off his tank top and tossed it aside. Her mouth enclosed his left nipple and she sucked hard. “Your move.”
Somehow his thick fingers managed to get the buttons on her blouse undone and he peeled the fabric off her shoulders and down her arms.
Fletch groaned softly when he saw her simple white bra. It set off her skin tone, and the low cut allowed him to bury his face in that soft cleavage.
“No fair. I didn’t get to play with your chest very long.”
“It’s easy to get off track when I’m faced with these.” He followed the edges of the satin piping with his tongue and breathed in her scent as his fingers unhooked the back clasp. His palms skimmed her luscious tits and swerved to the outside of her hips as he dropped to his knees.
He pulled off her boots. Then he
removed the dress pants that were covering up her skin and his favorite warm, soft, wet girl part. Hook unfastened, he lowered the zipper and they fell to the floor. Tanna also wore plain white panties, which were far sexier than he’d ever imagined.
He placed his mouth over the cotton, both inhaling her scent and blowing hot air over her mound, waiting to see if she tried to get away.
Tanna looked down at him, keeping her body still.
“Very good. Not squirming at all today.”
“Maybe I’m just worried you’re gonna tie me up again. I’m too impatient for you to fuck me to mess around with props this time.”
He sucked on the skin surrounding her clit, and let his tongue trace the slit through her panties. And imagine that. She was already wet in one spot. Such a chest-beating moment that she got so wet for him so quickly.
Her head fell back and she groaned. “Why does it seem naughtier when I have my panties on than when your face is pressed into my bare pussy?”