Two to Wrangle (4 page)

He'd never met another woman who had such an effect on him. He'd hoped this incomprehensible attraction would wane in time, but his aching balls told him not a chance. He slid a hand into her silky hair and cupped the back of her head, his gaze probing hers.

“What's it gonna be, Monica? Are you coming or going?” He continued in a smooth, seductive tone, “Just know that if you do stay, I can guarantee you'll be
coming
.”

She swallowed hard as if unsure whether he meant it as a promise or a threat. But Ty wasn't in the habit of making idle threats or promises he didn't intend to keep. Before she could reply, he claimed her mouth. She whimpered a half-hearted protest, but instead of pushing him away, her arms crept up to entwine around his neck. He deepened the kiss. Their tongues tangled. She shut her eyes on a moan as his erection pressed against her soft belly.

Breaking from the kiss that left them both panting, she insisted breathlessly, “This doesn't mean anything. We're both hurting and need to relieve some stress; that's all this is.”

“That's pretty much what you said the first time we were together,” he said, “and I still don't buy it.” Their moans mixed as they continued a slow backward two-step to the bed. “But if that's what you need to tell yourself, just keep talkin'.”

He reached under the dress she'd fallen asleep in, sweeping up the inside of her silky smooth thigh, groaning into her mouth as he delved into the warm wetness beneath her lace panties. She echoed with a long, shuddering moan of her own as he slid his fingers inside her. Ty continued kissing her senseless while his skilled fingers worked her into a frenzy of want.

“Now, Ty,” she begged. “Please, I need you.”

“What do you need, sugar?” he asked, salivating at the mere thought of getting his tongue back inside her. “My mouth or my dick? Whatever you want, however you want it, I'm yours. But I wanna hear you say it.”

“What if I want both?” she asked, bold as brass.

“Both?” He cocked a brow. “You're a greedy one, Ms. Brandt.”

“Hell, yeah, cowboy.” She smirked. “I was raised to shoot for the moon.”

Ty couldn't help chuckling when she parroted back his own words from a month ago. No, he wasn't half ready to let her go again. “If we do this, will you stay?” he asked, suddenly serious.

“I don't understand what you want from me,” she said, brows drawn.

“I don't want you to go,” he replied, still too wary to commit himself beyond that. “And I'm not beyond blackmail if that's what it takes. So here's the deal, if you want this gigantic rock-hard cock inside you, you'll agree to give me a little more time.”

“Gigantic?” she snorted. “It seems to get bigger every time.”

He grinned. “When I think of you, it does.”

He brought her hand down between them, wrapping her fingers around his thick length. Her eyes grew wide and her breath came faster as he moved their joined hands up and down over his pulsing shaft.

“Maybe you're right,” she replied in a hoarse whisper. “But this still won't change my mind. Once I say my final goodbye to Tom, I'm going back to New York.”

“If that's how it is, there isn't much point to this, is there?” He released her hand from his dick.

“C'mon, Ty.” She shut her eyes on a frustrated huff. “Why can't we just enjoy this? Isn't that what you always wanted from me? To live in the moment? Why do we always have to mix business with pleasure?”

“Because the two things are inseparable,” he said, “at least as long as we both have an interest in Brandt Morgan. When you first came out to Vegas, you promised me sixty days to come up with financing to buy you out. I still have a month left. I want you to wait until that time is up. We're not doing this again unless you agree.”

“Why? What difference does it make if I'm there or in New York?”

“All the difference in the world. I want a chance to show you the hotel could really be something.”

“But I can't do it, Ty. If it wasn't for Tom, I never would have gone out to Vegas at all. I don't belong in Las Vegas. It's not who I am.”

“Maybe you feel that way because you never tried to belong,” he suggested softly. “Things might have been a whole lot different if you had.”

Monica drew a breath but then closed her mouth. She had no rebuttal because he was right.

“I want you to come back to Vegas with me,” he said. “Just thirty days. That's all I'm asking.”

“Why, Ty? You don't need me anymore.”

His brows rose. “What are you talking about?”

She sighed. “There's something I have to tell you. Something that changes everything. There's a codicil bequeathing you controlling interest in Brandt Morgan. You see? You don't have to answer to me or anyone else anymore.”

“You're shitting me.” He'd never asked Tom about his will before, and anytime Tom tried to bring it up Ty had changed the uncomfortable subject.

“No. Bob told me today.”

“Wow.” He pursed his mouth. “I sure didn't see that coming.” He didn't know why he was so shocked. It only made sense that Tom would be as generous after his death as he'd been while he'd lived.

“I think you should also know that I'm still planning to sell out.”

He regarded her with a scowl. “You can't sell it out from under me,” he said. “Not anymore.”

“I know that. I'm not trying to screw you over. I just want you to know I had an offer.”

“So you'd sell your share?”

She nodded. “That's my intent. If not to you, then to another investor. You can do whatever you want, but I don't want to be in the hotel business.”

He jerked back. “Who made the offer?” Her answer only confirmed what he already suspected.

“Evan. He came in from New York on a fishing expedition. He wants the property. I think you should sell it to him. Let's just say for the sake of argument that you bought out my share, what are you going to do with the place? Even if you invest millions in renovation, you'll never survive with your current business model. If you keep it, it's only going to bankrupt you. If you had any sense you'd take Evan's money and run.”

Evan's money.
The words rang in his head like a hammer striking an anvil. The thought of dealing with her ex almost made Ty see red. Evan was everything Ty wasn't—a rich asshole who got off by throwing his weight around. Was it Evan's money she wanted? But she'd just inherited nearly a billion. Maybe it was Evan's name and power she wanted? Ty had none of that. Were those the real reasons she'd boarded Evan's plane bound for New York?

“If I sold, then what?” he asked slowly.

“With tens of millions in the bank you could do whatever you want,” she replied.

“The hotel
is
what I want, Monica.”

“Look, Ty, even if you don't want to, I'm still selling my interest. You see how this alters everything? I'm not in the picture anymore, so you can drop this whole seduction routine.”

“Is that what you think?” he asked. “That I was just using you?”

“Aren't you?” she asked. “Not that I really mind all that much.” She stepped closer and ran her hands slowly up his chest. “I want this too, Ty.”

He scowled, all his former playfulness fading. “I don't play these kinds of games.”

As much as he wanted to want someone else, Monica was the only woman he desired. He'd taken her to his house, something he'd never done, making an exception—for her. But even after he'd confessed as much to her, she'd flat out walked on him the next day. From that morning until the night he'd gotten shit faced, she'd given him the cold shoulder. Even explaining about Cassie and Delaney hadn't helped. It was as if everything that had happened between them had never taken place. He still couldn't figure out where he'd gone wrong. Hell, he'd never tried so hard with a woman before.

Hands on her shoulders, he backed her toward the door. “I'm sorry for you and me both, but you're right that things have changed. I need more from you than just sex.”

Her gray eyes widened in disbelief. “I can't believe you're serious.”

“As a heart attack, sweetheart.” With mouth compressed, he gently but firmly propelled her out of his room. “My terms are nonnegotiable. I suggest you sleep on it.”

Cursing the whole while under his breath, Ty closed the door. Instead of a warm, soft bed, he was now looking at an icy-cold shower. Although it sucked, sometimes short-term sacrifice was necessary for long-term gain. As much as he hated to admit it, he still
needed
Monica.

 

Feeling as if she'd been doused with ice water, Monica found herself staring at Ty's closed door. She couldn't believe his sudden about-face. Was it only last night that he'd begged her to stay with him? But now, when she'd offered herself on a silver platter, he was discarding her like yesterday's leftovers?

The same guy who never committed to anyone expected her to give up a month of her life for him? What was he risking? Nothing. While she had everything to lose. Her feelings for him went well beyond lust, but given his history with women, she just couldn't take that kind of gamble. That thought still did nothing to console her as she lay awake in bed aching with deep, unsatisfied need.

B
leary-eyed from lack of sleep, Ty dragged his sleepy ass out to the kitchen and straight to the coffeepot. Judging by the burned smell, it was already several hours old, but he didn't care. He needed a big dose of something thick and strong to thin the cobwebs in his head.

“Hey, Ty. When'd you get in?” asked a perky voice that made him shudder.

“Early this morning,” he answered without turning around.

“Then you drove straight through?”

“Yup,” he said.

“I was really sorry to hear about Tom. I know how much he meant to you.”

“Thanks, Delaney.” He finally turned to acknowledge her. “Now may I ask what the hell you're doing here?” He'd dreaded any encounters with his ex, but he should have known she'd come by the minute he arrived at the ranch. Here in Oklahoma, she was as unavoidable and inevitable as a springtime tornado.

Setting her cup down, Delaney rose from the table to park herself squarely in front of him. “Came to offer my condolences, of course. It's the civilized thing to do.”

He cocked a brow. “Since when do you and me abide by any kinda rules of civility?”

“Don't you think Tom's death might be a good opportunity to draw up a truce?” She stared up at him with innocent baby blues, but he wasn't buying it.

“What do you want from me, Delaney?”

“We need to talk, Ty. We've got some unfinished business.”

“No we don't.”

“Yes we do,” she insisted. “Look, I know the timing is horrible, but Uncle Phil wants an answer. I can maybe put him off for another week, but he's not going to wait forever. If you don't decide soon, he's gonna take his gazillions and move on to another investment. I don't think you're in a position to take that chance. Do you?”

Ty scowled back at her. “How would you know what kind of position I'm in?”

“I know you don't have many options,” she said. “You'll never get a conventional loan large enough to renovate the hotel. It's too risky without a big corporate name behind you.”

“If I went into business with him, he could sell his share anytime he wants to anyone he chooses. I can't have that, Delaney. I'm not taking that chance.”

“If you want to gain a controlling interest in the place, you'll need to come up with another twelve million. So what are you going to do?”

“As it turns out, I have a controlling interest.”

“How?” Delaney asked.

“Tom's will. You're looking at the new CEO of Brandt Morgan. No one can sell the place out from under me anymore but I still need money to renovate.”

“How are you going to get it?” she asked.

“Fuck.” He tossed his hat on table and clawed a hand through his hair. “I don't know.”

“Um, what if you took on a silent partner, someone you already have a vested interest with?”

“Like who?”

Her lips stretched into a broad smile. “Me, of course. You know I'm good for it, Ty. All I have to do is sell some of my oil stock. I could have millions in the bank within two weeks.”

“And what's in it for you?”

“Well,” she hesitated and then took a deep breath. “Remember a while back I said I had a favor to ask? Something I wanted to talk about when the time was ripe? Well, I think this is the ripest it's ever gonna get.”

“What is it, Delaney? Quit hedging.”

“All right. You want it straight out. I'll give it to you.” Her eyes met his levelly. “I want a baby, Ty.”

Ty's head jerked back in disbelief. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“You heard me right. I want a ba-by.”

“What the devil put that harebrained idea into your head?”

“I don't know. Maybe my cows did.”

“The cows?”

“Yes. They all look so happy with their babies. Please, Ty! Just hear me out. Can't we just talk about this like two rational adults?”

“That's a tall order when one of us is out of her ever-lovin' mind.”

“Look, it's
not
like I'm asking for us to get back together. It's just a little sperm, Ty. How hard can that be? Hell, you've probably wasted enough of it over the years to populate half of Oklahoma.”

He returned a glower. “I'd never be so reckless. I've never gotten a woman pregnant.”

“I didn't say you
had
. I just said you
could have
, given all the ones you've slept with.”

“It's probably only a fraction of the number you
think
I've been with.”

“Whatever.” She waved a hand. “It's water under the bridge.”

“Look, we hashed through this once before when we were married. I'm no more ready to settle down now than I was back then . . . and we ain't married anymore, Delaney, in case you forgot. And I have no intention of changing that. I've been to that place before, and it's not on my list of repeat destinations.” After their ugly divorce he'd sworn to live as he pleased and answer to no one. He'd played it fast and loose ever since, never involving himself in any serious relationship, hadn't even considered it—until Monica. “Why don't you just find yourself another husband?” He asked. “Wouldn't that be a lot better solution? You might be batshit crazy, but at least you still have your looks.”

“I don't want another husband, Ty. Once was enough for me too. Thank you very much. I just want a baby.”

“And what is your family gonna say about that? You raising a kid on your own?”

“Women do it all the time. There's millions of single mothers. At least I don't have to worry about making rent and buying groceries. I have plenty of money.”

“If you're that lonely, get another dog.”

“I don't want a dog. I want a ba-by.”

“Then go get a deposit from a sperm bank.”

“You don't even want to go into business with strangers, so why the hell would you think I'd want to have a baby with one?”

“You know plenty of men. Why me?”

“Because you have all the right qualifications—above-average I.Q., tall, athletic build, good looks, sense of humor.” She ticked off the inventory on her fingers. “Maybe we didn't suit each other, but you're still better than most of the men I know.”

“Hell, if I'm that good maybe I should just put myself out to stud?”

“You're not a proven sire, Ty. But I'd be glad to give you that chance.” Her lips curved into that smile that used to set his blood on fire, but sleeping with Delaney again would be the biggest mistake of his life. Not that he had any desire to. Whatsoever. Hell no! That flame had doused for good seven years ago.

“You don't have to settle down. You can stay in Las Vegas. I don't care. I'll do it all. C'mon, Ty. At least think about it.”

“There's nothing to think about. I'm not ready for kids. If and when I ever do decide I want them, I plan to be there. To raise 'em.”

“Like your father wasn't? Is that your real problem?”

“My problem is with this whole topic of conversation, Delaney. Get this idea out of your head right now. 'Cause it ain't gonna happen.”

“What if you lose the hotel? What have you got then? A ranch in Oklahoma that's half mine. What are we going to do, Ty? Draw a line down the middle of it?”

“So you'd resort to blackmail? You're quite the opportunist, aren't you?”

“I don't see it that way. We'd both be getting something we want out of it. I'm still in my prime breeding years, but my bio clock is ticking. I'm offering you a lot of money at a ridiculous rate of return—interest free, just for giving me a baby. So what's it gonna be, Ty?”

Delaney thought she had him over a barrel. Maybe she did. He needed money to move forward with the hotel renovation, and she was offering a deal in exchange for his sperm, but there was no way in hell he'd ever father a child and then become absent from its life. He didn't know if he even wanted kids. Maybe one day with the right woman he might, but that sure as hell wasn't now with Delaney.

He wondered what Monica thought of kids and what she'd look like holding a baby. He had a hard time imagining her as the maternal type. Did she even have it in her? For that matter, did he have it in him to be a father? That whole train of thought was enough to make his head explode.

“You're perfectly free to take the deal or walk,” she said, “but I need an answer.”

He clawed a hand through his hair with a groan. “We're not talking about this again, Delaney. Not now. Not ever.”

“Fine, then.” She turned with a toss of her blond mane. “Be a stubborn jackass. Do you know where I can find Rosa?”

“Most likely in the bunkhouse kitchen,” Ty said. “Probably been cooking up a storm since sunrise.”

“Thanks,” Delaney said. “Has she told you if she plans to stay or if she's going back to Houston? I was hoping to hire her on as a nanny.”

“A
nanny
?” Ty repeated blankly.

“Yes. Rosa practically raised me. There's no one else I'd rather have.”

“Aren't you putting the cart before the horse?”

Delaney set her chin. “One way or another, Ty, I'm going to have a baby. I'll give you a few more days to mull over my offer, but after that, consider it off the table.”

Ty watched Delaney flounce off with a rueful shake of his head. He'd shackled himself to her once before, and that was one time too many. He wondered now what he'd ever seen in her besides a pretty face and a hot ass. Although she'd put on about twenty pounds since they were together, the curves seemed to go with her sass. He was quick to shake that thought away—he wasn't going to sleep with her again. No. Way. In. Hell. Although they'd screwed like rabbits their first few months together, when it was over, it was well and truly over. He didn't have a fucking clue where else to turn, but Delaney's price was higher than he was willing to pay.

 

Replaying the events of last night, Monica rolled out of bed with a groan. What the hell had she been thinking when she threw herself at Ty? She didn't know how she was going to face him in the light of day, so she avoided it for as long as she could. After taking a longer than normal shower, she skipped breakfast and then decided to look for Bob. It would be best just to get all the legalities over with and then leave. She should text Evan too. He'd offered his plane. She fully intended to take him up on it. Yesterday was none too soon to shake off the Oklahoma dust.

Not finding Bob in the office, she decided to try the kitchen. Rounding the corner, she collided smack into a buxom blonde in a Western shirt and skin-tight jeans.

“Omigod! So sorry,” the blonde exclaimed. “I was too pissed off to even see where I was going.”

It took only a few seconds for Monica to recognize Delaney. Although they'd never been introduced, she'd seen the other woman in Vegas once before.

Delaney stepped back, eyeing her appraisingly. “So you're Monica. No wonder Ty's all twisted up. Please pardon my lack of manners.” She offered her hand. “I'm Delaney, Ty's—”

“Ex?” Monica supplied.

“Yup.” Delaney grinned. “But there's no love lost on either side, believe me on that. Least not anymore,” she added ruefully.

Did Delaney still carry a torch for Ty? Her expression suggested it, even if her words didn't. Not that Monica could blame her. She hadn't quite kicked the Ty habit yet either.

“I came by to offer my condolences,” Delaney said. “Tom was a damn good man. They don't make 'em like him anymore.”

“Thank you, Delaney,” Monica replied stiffly. While she appreciated the sentiments, their meeting like this was awkward as hell.

“How long are you staying at the ranch?” Delaney asked.

“Not long. I'll probably leave as soon as I've scattered Tom's ashes.” Monica averted her gaze with a blink. The tears still threatened to come down at unexpected moments. “And gone through his effects.” She still hadn't been able to start that process. How would she ever get through it? Especially with Ty by her side.

Delaney looked surprised. “You brought his remains back with you?”

“Yes. I know he'd want to be here. Ty says he knows the perfect place.”

“Down by the river?” Delaney asked.

“Yes.” Monica's furrowed her brows. “How did you know?”

“It's where Tom used to take Ty fishing. They both loved to fish.”

Monica felt a surge of jealousy mixed with resentment that this near stranger knew more about her father's life than she did.

“Do you ride?” Delaney asked.

“You mean horses?” Monica replied.

“Yeah,” Delaney grinned. “Sorry, that part's implied in rural Oklahoma.”

“Not really,” Monica confessed. “I've been on one a few times, but it's been years.”

“That might present a bit of a problem,” Delaney said.

“Why's that?”

“ 'Cause there's no other easy way to get to that spot. They always went out on horseback.” Delaney gave her another once-over and frowned. “You at least got some jeans and boots?”

Monica's jaw dropped. She was wearing navy slacks and her customary heels. It hadn't even occurred to her that she'd need more appropriate clothes. It wasn't that big of a deal when Bob had driven her around on the golf cart yesterday, but riding a horse was impossible in heels.

“I guess that means no,” Delaney remarked. “What size boot do you wear?”