Rogue Cowboy (Billionaire Bad Boy Romance Book 2) Read online

  He inched closer until his hard body pressed her against the door, flattening her ample breasts in the front and her gorgeously rounded ass from behind. He chuckled when she verbalized her shock at his audacity with an angry gasp.

  “What the devil do you think you’re doing?”

  “Just checking the validity of your statement.”

  The amusement in his voice was enough to spike Rachel’s ire. Without giving it a second thought, she took a small step to the side and snapped her elbow into his gut at the same time as she kicked him hard in the shin with the heel of her boot.

  “Fuck!” His bellow echoed through her mind but it had the required effect as he took a step back to nurse his abused shin.

  Rachel was through the door and had it slammed and locked before he could stop her. She jumped back from the door as he hammered against it.

  “You’re gonna pay for that, little girl. Mark my words, Rachel, I won’t let this pass.”

  “You mark my words, Hunter Scott, you don’t scare me, and here’s another little tidbit of information for you, just in case your slow brain still hasn't gotten the message. Are you listening? Let me say this slowly … Wolf … Creek … isn’t … for … sale. Got that? So, tell your buddy to stop badgering me! I’m not selling.”

  “That remains to be seen. Now you listen to me, Rachel Davis. I never make a promise I don’t honor. I’m going to have so much fun listening to your cries as I spank your cute little ass.”

  “As if I’d ever allow you to do that,” she sneered at the door.

  “Just for that, I’ll even make you beg for more.”

  “One thing I can assure you of, Hunter Scott, is that I’ll never in a million years beg you for anything, let alone to spank me!”

  “Ahh, baby, now that’s something a man like me can’t refuse.” He rapped his knuckles against the door and she scooted back a few more steps. “I accept your challenge.”

  “It wasn’t a challenge, you degenerate cowboy! Now get the hell off my ranch.”

  “I’m going, but know this, Rachel. I’ll be back and then—”

  “Then nothing because I promise you, Hunter, the next time you set foot on my land, you’ll taste lead.”

  His only response was a deep chuckle. One that forced its way inside her soul and triggered an emotion she’d been doing her best to suppress for years. She wrapped her arms around her waist and tiptoed to the window as his footsteps echoed through the door. She watched him swagger to his truck.

  “Asshole.” She simmered as he jauntily saluted in her direction with a finger against his brown leather cowboy hat.

  Hunter Scott had always been like a burr in her saddle. He pricked where she didn’t want to be. Worse, he made her long for and dream about the kind of debauchery sexual acts she’d read about in the BDSM novels she devoured late at night. Like the taste he’d given her on that ...

  “I’m not thinking of that night. I’m not!” she croaked as a vision of a night indulging in such debauchery flashed in a mocking reminder through her mind. Just the thought of it made her realize it was little wonder that he always made her stomach lurch when she saw him.

  He wasn’t a classically attractive man, but the ruggedness of his features exuded the power of his body and personality which was mirrored by the strong lines of his face. Hunter wasn’t accustomed to losing at anything he embarked on.

  His hair was light brown and styled in a short, spiky cut; a perfect companion to his solid and bright eyes, the exact lustrous color of a polished shard of metal.

  “He’s so damn hot.” She remembered too well running her finger over his perfect nose, prominent cheekbones, and well-defined chin. His square jaw was highlighted by a slight dimple in the center she’d kissed a couple of times that night. Muscles rippled across every part of his body. He made her think of a seasoned warrior, like a gladiator in those historical movies.

  “He might be sexy as hell and the most fuckable cowboy in the county but he’s not for me. For one thing, I’ll never allow him to get his greedy paws on my ranch.” She snorted as she watched the truck drive away. “Spank my ass … in your dreams, big boy. That’s never gonna happen.”

  Chapter Two

  Two weeks later …

  “Miss Davis, I presume?”

  Rachel was startled that the maître d' at the cozy restaurant knew who she was. She glanced around furtively but didn’t notice any single man waiting at a table.

  “That’s correct but how do you know who I am?”

  “It’s a very intimate little restaurant, Miss, and I know all our regular diners. I was told to expect you and …” He tapped on the cell phone lying on the reception desk. “I received a photo of you.”

  “A photo?” Alarms blared in her ears. She had no idea who her date was because her supposed best friend refused to tell her, which led her to believe the cowboy she’d paid an astronomical amount to have a date with, didn’t know her identity either. It seemed Anna was playing a backhand ballgame—and she was the ball!

  “Your table is in one of our private rooms. Please follow me.”

  Rachel was silently relieved that her date had chosen a small restaurant and that they would be out of sight from the other diners. In their small community, tongues wagged all too easily and the last thing she needed was to be the center of speculation.

  “My name is Liam and I’ll personally be in attendance as your server this evening,” he said as he pushed in her chair. “Would you like to order something to drink while you wait?”

  “A glass of dry white wine would be lovely, thank you.”

  Rachel wasn’t much of a drinker but enjoyed the odd sip of wine during a dinner date. Instinct warned her that she might need courage for the evening ahead and a little alcohol could only aid her frayed mind.

  She hated blind dates and the fact that Anna wouldn’t tell her who it was, had raised red flags from the get-go.

  “Your wine, Miss.” Liam placed the glass in front of her. “Your companion had an emergency and sends his apologies for being late but promises to be here in ten minutes.

  “Thank you,” Rachel smiled politely. She took a tentative sip of the wine as she considered her options. She had a legitimate excuse to leave. She honored her commitment by arriving. She could leave and not—

  “No, you’re not. For one thing, you’re curious to see who you paid so much money to have a six-hour date with.” She glanced at her watch. “But I’m leaving on the dot in ten minutes.”

  Decision made, she sat back and enjoyed the full-bodied fruity flavor of the Chardonnay. She glanced around the small, yet luxurious dining room. The smoked one-way glass wall that separated the private room from the main dining area made it part of the ambiance of the restaurant while at the same time offered complete privacy. The interior was artful and tastefully decorated. Although Rachel had lived her entire life in Van Zandt County and knew all the eateries in the area, she never had the privilege of dining here. From what she’d heard, reservations had to be made months in advance because it was so popular and well known for the cuisine offered by its two-star Michelin Chef.

  She shifted in her chair as another peek at her watch indicated her elusive cowboy date had four more minutes to make an appearance. From her seat, she had a view of the entrance, but so far only two couples had arrived. No sign of a single man heading her way.

  She fidgeted, adjusting the strap of the black dress Anna had insisted she wear. Rachel lived in jeans or shorts and t-shirts with sneakers or boots. The chic black cocktail dress that swirled around her thighs as she walked felt wicked and very skimpy with the spaghetti straps holding it in place. She’d even conceded to wearing high heel sandals. It had been quite a surprise to realize she could keep her balance on them. She sighed as she brushed back her long, auburn hair. There had been a time when she enjoyed going out with her friends and having fun. It seemed like ages ago.

  She sobered as it registered how reclusive she’d become over
the past couple of years. Racking her brain to recall when the last time was she’d gone anywhere except for dinner at Anna’s parents didn’t help. She couldn’t remember.

  “No wonder Anna was so adamant I buy a cowboy date.” She glanced at her watch. “Well, now I remember why I walk circles around the Texas tabloid cowboys. They’re selfish and have no concern for anyone else. Time to hit the road. I’m not wasting my time waiting on anyone, least of all a gigolo cowboy.”

  Rachel picked up the small evening clutch bag as she stood and headed toward the door. It swung open just as she reached for it. She took back a step … and forgot to breathe.

  The amused quirk of his lips did nothing other than cause her libido to spark to life. She was in the grip of silent panic. Her eyes widened, her heart began to race and her brain synapses were firing like a hyped-up internal aurora borealis.

  No! It’s impossible. It can’t be him.

  But it was. The last man she’d ever willingly go on a date with—Hunter Scott.

  “Breathe, little one. I’ve been told it’s imperative to living.”

  The deep baritone rippled through the air toward her and to her further distress, combed teasingly over her senses that were already in overdrive. It found resonance deep inside her and toggled at an emotion she had no way of understanding or deciphering what it implied. She stared at him, unwillingly tantalized by the scent of feral masculinity, a combination of power and sexual prowess, of confidence and virility that oozed from him. He was the scent of everything she remembered him to be.

  Rachel heaved in a deep breath. “You’re the date I … Anna bought for me?”

  “The one and only.”

  “I can’t believe she did this to me,” she muttered under her breath. “Well, I’m leaving.” She inched forward but he refused to budge. Not that she was surprised. Hunter Scott wasn’t easy to intimidate.

  But damn it to hell, she wasn’t either!

  “No, you’re not. I’m here to honor the date and the least you can do is offer me the same courtesy.”

  “Why? So you can spend the next six hours trying to convince me to sell Wolf Creek? Forget it.” She took another step and attempted to shove him out of the way. “I’m leaving, Hunter. Please step aside.”

  “No talk of selling, I promise. My only aim is to spend the time for us to get to know each other.”

  Rachel gasped as he covered her hand resting on his arm. It sparked a bolt of electricity through her body. It was so unexpected; all she could do was blink. For once, he didn’t have that charming bad boy smile on his lips. He returned her look with an intensity that seared into her soul.

  “I know as much as I wish to know about you, so thank you, but no thanks. I’m still leaving.” She tilted her nose a tad higher. “Don’t worry, I’ll still pay the auction fee.”

  Hunter sighed as she puffed out the breath she’d been holding and yanked her hand from his grasp, expecting him to move out of the way. His eyes darkened as he regarded her unblinkingly.

  “Something tells me Anna didn’t explain how the auction worked. Whether you pay the money or not, it’s not the only factor at play here.”

  Rachel planted her fists on her hips. “Meaning?”

  “The man auctioned has to meet the same amount paid for the date. So, seeing as I already fulfilled my part, I fully expect you to honor the commitment you made with the bid, and no,” he said darkly as she opened her mouth to protest, “it doesn’t matter that Anna placed it, since she did it with your proxy.” He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. The gesture was unchecked and he seemed as surprised as she did by the gentleness of his touch. “I promise, Rachel, no talk of selling the ranch. I just want us to have an enjoyable dinner, and after that … well; we can decide where we go from there together.”

  “I sincerely doubt it will be enjoyable,” she snipped but took a step back to give herself some space so she could breathe normally. Standing this close to him was detrimental to her oxygen levels, not to mention her ovaries that had suddenly morphed into tumbling gymnasts inside her. “You and I have never seen eye to eye, Hunter. For the life of me, I can’t understand why you would suddenly wish to spend time with me.” She narrowed her eyes. “You knew I was the one who was behind Anna’s bid, I assume?”

  “I knew.”

  He didn’t elaborate, to Rachel’s annoyance, but he courteously held out the chair. “Please, sit down.”

  Rachel acknowledged it would be immature to continue in the same trend and reluctantly took the seat. She’d just have to grin and bear him. Six hours wasn’t that long. At least there was a table between them.

  Or so she thought until he folded his long, muscled frame into the chair and promptly shrunk the space. She could feel his knees brush against hers under the table. It took all her self-control not to move the chair back, out of reach. She’d be damned if she showed him how his presence affected her, especially since she had never made a secret of how much she disliked him.

  “My apologies for being late. One of my prized mares had a complication during birth. My presence seemed to calm her down, so I couldn’t leave until the foal was born.”

  “What complication?”

  “Red bag delivery.” Hunter’s lips twitched in memory. Rachel was surprised at the obvious show of emotion, but as a horse lover herself, she knew how devastating such birthing complications could be.

  Red bag delivery usually arose when a mare developed placentitis, which meant the placenta didn’t break at the cervical star as it should. The foal would, as a result, be born inside the fetal membranes.

  “Was he able to prevent fescue toxicosis?” she asked with a concerned frown. If a veterinarian didn’t diagnose the condition in time, it could lead to a stillborn birth.

  “Yes, Charles managed to rupture the membrane and successfully assist the foal’s delivery.”

  Rachel felt a pinch of loss hearing the name. Charles Moore was the equine veterinarian who had bought her practice when she’d decided to take full time responsibility for the ranch after her parents’ deaths. It was a feeling she’d been experiencing too often lately for her own peace of mind. She shook off the feeling of melancholy. Crying over the past served no purpose. She’d made a choice and now she had to live with it.

  “And the mare?”

  “She’s fine. Charles and his assistant offered to keep an eye on her for a couple of hours.”

  “He’s a good vet.”

  Hunter heard the slight crack in her voice. He’d often wondered how she’d adapted to being a full-time equestrian ranch owner. Over the past two years, her extraordinary skill as an equine vet had been limited to attending to her own animals. He decided not to sour their date and pushed the question hovering on his lips to the back of his mind.

  Liam appeared with a basket of freshly baked rolls. Rachel breathed in the tantalizing aroma. “Hm, that smells divine.” She offered a brief smile at the brooding man watching her silently from across the table. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was. I’m having one now.”

  “One of the chef’s recipes and very popular with our diners. Some butter?” Liam offered the small bowl with perfectly round butter balls.

  Rachel took three with a deep dimple forming in her cheek. She shrugged at the appreciative look from the maître d’. “One can’t appreciate hot bread in any other way than slathered in butter.”

  “Got that right, Miss.” Liam turned to Hunter. “How about you, sir?”

  “You know me well, Liam.” Hunter held out his side plate and sighed with pleasure as he bit into the soft delicacy moments later.

  “Tonight’s two starter specials are fried catfish strips with Thai flavored tartar sauce or creamy crab ravioli.”

  “I’d love the catfish, thank you, Liam.”

  “Make that two and please bring us a bottle of Chateau Bonnet Blanc,” Hunter said with a smile of appreciation at her decisiveness.

  Silence followed Liam’s departure but R
achel was all too aware of Hunter watching her. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her eyes to his.

  “Why me? Why did you accept the bid knowing I was the one buying the date?”

  “I’m a man and you’re a woman. Need to say more?”

  She snorted. “Of course, what else did I expect from a tabloid cowboy.” She gestured around the room. “You can relax your gigolo act, Hunter. There are no cameras around or any reporters to write about your extraordinary skills at seduction.”

  “You don’t have a flattering opinion of me, do you?”

  Rachel’s one eyebrow did a slow crawl upward. A cynical smile curved her lips. “You’re in the news weekly, you appear in every tabloid magazine and newspaper with a different woman on your arm. You and only you, drive the reputation you have out there, Hunter. So, do tell, how else am I supposed to think of you?”

  “That’s why you don’t like me?”

  Rachel fidgeted with the napkin. “What makes you think I don’t like you?”

  “You avoid me like the plague whenever we’re in the same room. You ignore every phone call I’ve made to you for the past … what? Two years? So, do tell, what else am I supposed to think?”

  Rachel cast him a sharp glance of reproach for using her own words back at her but he seemed unperturbed. Her eyes lowered as she felt telltale heat spread over her cheeks. He, more than anyone, should know exactly why she’d been ignoring him.

  That one unforgettable night where she’d relaxed her inhibitions and gave over to his alluring yet frightening seduction. An experience she’d been unable to forget and that had kept her awake many times since.

  “So, you spent hundreds of thousands of dollars just to find out why?”

  The way he silently studied her was disquieting, but she refused to let him see how unraveled she was.

  “No, Rachel. I spent the money because I truly want us to get to know each other better.” The hesitation was brief and very calculated. “And to continue the exploration we started two years ago.”