Tempted by Trouble

chapter TWO


Carolina went to the end of the line of bridesmaids. The groomsmen had already gone down the aisle. She smiled at Isabella with her basket of rose petals. She leaned over to the left, attempting to glimpse Rob at the front of the church. Her cousin’s soon-to-be husband was handsome in his black tux. Sam and Rob were the exception in Carolina’s rulebook. She sighed, unable to see much beyond the back pews done up with garlands and white roses.

The bridesmaids moved down the aisle, ten young woman, friends and cousins, hair styled and dressed alike. Carolina held her bouquet, glancing over her shoulder at Sam and Randall before stepping forward. She continued walking, keeping pace with the movement of the women ahead of her. She came toward the front set of pews, one bridesmaid in front of her, and she stepped up, paused and looked to the side. Dark entrancing eyes met her gaze. It was him. Matt’s full lips quirked, her stomach pitched, and she missed her step.

The sight of him in his tuxedo, hair combed back, and a perfectly decadent smile sent another spark leaping between them. Her mom’s whisper to move reminded her to stop staring like a fool and take her place at the front of the church. Her muscles shook from the mounting tension of seeing him again. Unexpected as before, and leaving her in the midst of a fight-or-flight battle within her own psyche as Sam approached the front pew. Carolina set her flowers down on the altar rail before moving forward to straighten her cousin’s bridal train over the floor. Randall joined Sam’s hands with Rob’s. Carolina peered between the bride and groom standing at the altar. She swore she could feel Matt’s eyes on her body, practically undressing her .

She returned to her place at the altar and gripped her bouquet to keep from openly trembling. Her body quivered like a bow ready to take flight. Just as Sam had said, her reaction was all in her imagination. Otherwise, how could a man possess such power to stir her passions?

The minister began to speak and then pronounced them man and wife. The whole time Carolina memorized each petal of the bouquet she held. Unable to do more than bow her head, her face heated as Rob’s groomsman kept watching her. Each time she glanced up, there he was ready to capture her attention. A sensual magnet. Every molecule in her body aligned toward him. She melted under his gaze.

Rob pulled Sam into an embrace and kissed her possessively. It was the man’s arched brow that sent Carolina over the edge. Beads of sweat burst along her neck and hairline. A round of applause and she realized it was time. Thankfully, she’d be escorted out of the church by Rob’s best man.

Out in the lobby, the photographer called for the bridal party.

What next? She reminded herself not to cave. She’d dealt with many untamed beasts in the past. Clearly, this man was part bull. As a vet she had one option. When met with a charging animal, she’d learned to dig her size-eight feet into the ground. Only by staring down the beast and standing her ground had Carolina learned to negotiate large animal veterinary medicine without getting gored.

Dealing with Matt was no different. She lifted her chin defiantly. Sam was just ahead. She walked over to her cousin and hugged her.

She could hear his voice at her back, silky, low, and deep. His words, decadent and again softly spoken, a whisper marked only for her. She turned around. He was three feet away talking with Randall. His body was squared with hers, his power undeniable as he smiled into her face. She inhaled, her nostrils flared as if his scent provoked an answer to a question without language.

He excused himself from Randall and lifted his cocked head.

Come on. She focused on his broad shoulders blocking the stained glass light behind him. Her pulse pounded in her temples. “I thought I’d see you again. We haven’t been properly introduced.” He held out his hand. “I’m Matthew McLemore.”

This simply wasn’t possible. How many Matthew McLemores existed? She stared at his face. The complexity of sharp angles came together forming a strong square jaw. His lips were generous for such a masculine facade, but she’d already memorized the shape of his mouth. Unlike before, when he smiled this time, his charmed expression displayed one deep dimple on the side of his face. Just one was enough.

She took hold of his hand and firmly shook. An electrical pulse jettisoned up her spine.

“Dr. Carolina Rodriguez, Mr. McLemore. A pleasure.” She released his hand.

“Truly? This is going to get very interesting,” he said. “Dr. Rodriguez, you’re not by any chance a vet … are you?”

“Yes. And you’re the man who has ranching concerns. Yes?”

He reached into his pocket, bringing out a billfold. His fingers were manicured. Ten large, strong fingers; buffed square nails; and tan hands that were all meant for pleasure. She mentally chastised herself. Focus.

“Here you go. I thought we’d have the chance to talk before the wedding, but I arrived late last yesterday. We had an emergency at the ranch. I couldn’t get away as I’d planned.” Matt proffered a card.

“Evermore Ranch,” she read aloud.

“I hope you this won’t upset your plans?”

“Would it matter? I signed a service contract that included a non-disclosure agreement. Even if I had a problem, I couldn’t tell a soul and I’ve promised you two weeks of my time.”

He chuckled softly. “Yes, two weeks to do my bidding.”

She almost choked at the thought of doing his bidding. “What the heck have I gotten myself into with you, Mr. McLemore? Exactly what type of office do you run?”

His expression changed. Sharpened. “Strictly business. Look, Dr. Rodriguez, we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.”

“Wrong foot … the whole body is a problem, sir,” she hissed.

He smiled broadly, reassuring her. “Let’s discuss this later. This isn’t the correct time or place. Don’t you have to help the bride or something?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I do. I don’t know what you think you’ve contracted, but I’ll only supply you with vet services. As long as you understand that fact, there’s nothing more to discuss.”

“Well, there is. In the service agreement, there’s a provision that we need to discuss before you’re allowed access to the ranch barn and stable sites. So, either we can do it later or when you arrive in Texas. But until you and I have a little sit-down and get a few things ironed out, there won’t be any work for you to do directly. I’ve got a ranch to run, and I don’t have time to play games. I’ve already spent enough time finding a vet.” His eyes glittered and dropped to her mouth. “If you think I’m about to waste more time because you’ve got second thoughts, Dr. Rodriguez, the next communication you’ll have from Evermore Ranch will be from my attorneys. Had I known who you were before, believe me, I wouldn’t have … I’d never let the situation get away from me.”

Oh, this was rich. “Away from you. I’d say it got out of control. But that’s on your side of the table. Fine. I’ll honor my service contract. You’re right about one thing. The only thing of interest to me is treating your cattle. Once the job is done, I’ll be only too happy to leave you in peace and we can go our separate ways.”

Up close, his eyes shone sherry-colored. A muscle flexed along his jaw. His masculine scent of leather, smoke, and wood filled her head. The hard set of his mouth didn’t resemble the man from before. He’d done just as he’d promised, shutting one door, and leaving in place a man who didn’t look as if he enjoyed playing games. No, this version of Matt McLemore had a locking gaze and if looks could kill, she was a goner.

“I’m glad we understand one another then, Dr. Rodriguez. I expect to meet with you tomorrow at your convenience. Our relationship will be strictly business, if that’s what got you in such a dither.”

Her eyes widened but she kept her mouth shut. She’d done what she set out to do — stand her ground. Well, now all the cards were on the table and she no longer felt like hunted prey. She had just stood toe-to-toe with Matt McLemore and faced down the bull.