“You should have at least consulted me before offering that option of choosing whatever livestock they wanted.” Mandy threw the purse and shopping bag on the opposite bed. “We can’t go offering that to everyone, or our premier horses and bulls get exhausted.”
“It was only one horse and one bull. I thought it was a great idea. So did Ben.” He sat down on the other bed and began to slip on the shirt, buttons open. With hands on hips and fire in her eye, Mandy stood there looking madder than one of her bucking horses, and all he could think about was stripping her naked and kissing her all over. Damn. They needed to work this out soon. He’d no intention of spending six months in frustration hell.
“That’s not the point. It’s how you did it. Without discussing it with anyone. Without the courtesy of discussing it with me.” Her chest rose with a little huff. God, she was a well-built female. Built for loving.
“How could I consult you when I had just thought of it? You see, this is where you lose me. Good idea, good deal, problem solved. But here you are jawing about how it happened. Who cares?” He crossed his arms over his chest, feeling damn irritated—and horny.
Did she realize she’d worried her lip into a plump red treat he’d love to suck on? Did she know that standing there in those heeled cowgirl boots, legs spread apart in a gunfighter pose, had him imagining her in nothing else but those leather boots—and he meant nothing else.
“I care,” she said, thumping her chest above her right breast. God, she had nice breasts. Round, perky, and more than palm sized.
Ty pulled a pair of pressed jeans from the suitcase and rose to step into them. “And the response to that is, why? We got what we came for. A commitment to Prescott for next year. What more do you want?” She wasn’t happy, and for the life of him, he didn’t know why. “You need to relax a little, Mandy.” He shot her a smile. “I can definitely help with that.”
She stomped her sexy booted foot. She always wore the most intriguing boots. “I want Ben and Lyle to take me seriously. To understand I’m capable of handling the rodeo.” Her hand waved in the air. “You blurting out that idea made me irrelevant. How do you think it feels when people I’ve known all my life don’t trust my abilities to deliver for them? If JM had made me the head of this company, I wouldn’t have to play second fiddle.”
Now she was getting him mad. Pretty as she was all riled up and passionate, he didn’t cotton to people creating myths just because the truth was hard to hear. “JM knew what he was doing.” Ignoring the sparks flashing out of her eyes, he continued as he tucked in and zipped up. “Like it or not, without me in that meeting, they wouldn’t have felt reassured you could deliver this time, much less next time. Did you hear them ask after Tucker? They like you, Mandy, but they aren’t sure about handing you the reins. At their rodeo, you’re going to show them they’re not risking anything by doing so. And JM knew having me along would give you that chance. This isn’t about being competent. This is about trust.”
She stared at him like he’d just slapped her. Probably felt like that.
Hell.
Ty sauntered forward. She just stood there, blinking at him like she didn’t want to believe what he said. But she had to know it was the truth. As he went to wrap his arms around her, she pushed her hands against his chest. He wrapped her in his embrace anyway, ignoring her weak attempt to stop him.
He held her, enjoying the feel of her curves against his hard edges, until he felt her body relax and give up the struggle.
“You were great in there today,” he whispered against her ear. “You solidified a connection with those men that is going to last. They like you, honey. They just don’t believe in you yet. You’re something new, in a new role. They need time to figure you out, is all.”
“You won’t give me time,” she said, her voice muffled and her breath warm against his shirt.
He looked down, and she lifted up her face. A mixture of vulnerability and hope stared back at him. He wished he could tell her he’d changed his mind. He hadn’t. He’d made a promise. “This isn’t personal, Mandy. You’ll just have to trust that I’ll keep the best interests of the company, of your family, in mind. JM trusted me. Why can’t you?”
She pushed harder against him and wiggled to get free. No sense trying to make her listen. He let her loose, and she stepped back out of his embrace. God how he liked holding her. She fit him just fine. If only she’d give him a chance to show her just how fine.
“Because you gain more if you can sell PRC and convince Tuck to sell the land as well.”
“It’s true that I’d like a chance to develop that land, but only if it’s because I can get you guys a fantastic offer. I swear I’m not the enemy.” God how he wanted to kiss her. Kiss away those doubts.
“Could have fooled me,” she said barely above a whisper, but loud enough for him to hear.