The Millionaire Cowboy's Secret

Chapter 8



Inhaling, Skylar decided to cut herself a break. In the past, she hadn’t found it so easy to hide her sorrow. Now, though, with the familiarity of long practice, she’d managed to shove the memories aside, to be taken out and examined another day.

Whistling under his breath, Matt returned with the steaks. He placed them on the grill and seasoned them, more relaxed while performing this mindless task than she’d seen him all day. At least, since earlier when he’d been showing her his horses.

Behind him, she realized he’d set the little metal table with silverware and bright-colored plates. A container of pale blue hydrangeas served as a centerpiece.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly. He’d certainly gone through a lot of trouble for a woman he wanted gone.

“So are you,” he replied.

Inhaling sharply, she searched his face. He gazed right back, his expression serious. She expected him to rake his eyes boldly over her, but instead he held her gaze, as though searching. She couldn’t make herself look away. Her body felt heavy and warm. Not so, her pulse.

That skipped and raced as though anticipating things she had barely even dared to dream about.

What was this? It shouldn’t be happening, couldn’t be happening, yet...here she was. With him.

The grill flared, making the steaks sizzle. The moment broken, he turned his attention back to the meat.

Damn and double damn.

Watching him, she tried to dissect what it was about him. The vitality he radiated drew her like a magnet. And she, of all people, knew better.

Restless, feeling uncomfortable in her own body, she finished the last of her wine.

“Would you like more?” he asked, smiling slightly. She felt the power of that smile like a knife in her gut.

“I can get it,” she told him and crossed behind him to reach the bottle. After she’d refilled her glass, she moved slightly, standing beside him so she could see the grill. The steaks sizzled, thick and trimmed with very little fat.

“Those look amazing.”

His grin widened. “They’re nearly ready. Why don’t you go ahead and take a seat and let me dish everything up?”

“How about I go get the salad?”

He gave her a sharp look and then nodded. “That’d be great. There are a couple of bottles of salad dressing in the fridge door. Please bring those, too.”

Smiling back, she went inside.

As it had every time she’d been inside, his beautiful house evoked so many emotions. This time, focusing on her task, she pushed them away.

Opening the refrigerator, she located the salads and the dressing and turned to carry them outside. Suddenly, the utter domestication of what she was doing hit her. It felt more than wrong. Not only was she here under false pretenses, but she was enjoying this a bit too much.

Sadly, she had to continually remind herself why she was here. What had happened to her objective professionalism?

Taking a deep breath, she pasted a smile on her face and marched outside. “Here we are.” She placed the salads on the table. He’d already put the foil-encased potatoes on their plates and was now removing the steaks from the grill.

Her steak was perfectly cooked, exactly as she liked it. They ate in a companionable silence. Again she reflected on how long it had been since she felt so comfortable around a man.

Full, she finally pushed her plate away, groaning. “Sorry, I can’t finish this. It was wonderful, but I’m done.”

“No worries.” He gestured at his empty plate. “As you can see, I didn’t have the same problem.”

“Wow,” she said, impressed. “That looks like vultures cleaned it over. You can sure put away food.”

“True. Now—” he reached across the table and covered her hand with his “—I believe you had some questions you wanted to ask me.”

Though she had to force herself not to flinch at his touch, conversely he struck a chord of longing in her. But, because of this action, she knew in that moment she would be leaving. There would be no reprieve.

Regret filled her. Not only would this mean failure at her assignment, but he appealed to her and made her senses sing. The fact that he was the first man to do so in the five long years since she had lost her husband said something. If only it had been another time, another place, a different situation.

Shuddering, she swallowed hard. Though her body ached for him, craved the fulfillment of lovemaking she knew he alone could give her, she realized she couldn’t do this. Since Robbie’s and Bryan’s deaths, she’d thrown herself into her work. She’d been willing to do anything for her job, to be the best, solve the cases and get ahead.

Except this. She’d apparently drawn the line. She wasn’t willing to do this. Not with any man, but especially not this one.

Slowly, she slid her hand out from underneath his. “You know what? I think you’re right. I have enough for the article. I’m not going to ruin this perfect night by asking a bunch of intrusive questions.”

He looked startled, then wary, as if he thought there would be a catch. This made her chuckle, the earthy sound more seductive than anything she’d managed to fake earlier.

Heaven help her, she tried to summon up her normal personality—the hard-nosed ATF agent—but she’d lived that sterile existence for far too long.

So be it.

Drumming his fingers on the table, he eyed her while she took another sip of wine. “What made you change your mind?” he asked.

Somehow she knew his casual tone was deliberate. She could sense the intense speculation lurking behind his smile.

“This.” She waved her hand around his perfect patio, at the perfect garden beyond. Perfect meal, perfect man. Perfect, perfect, perfect.

Too good to be true. Or real. But that didn’t stop any of it from sabotaging her still-fragile heart.

“This was a lovely meal. Thank you.” Abruptly pushing back her chair, she stood. “I need to get everything packed so I can get on the road. I hope it’s all right if I leave first thing in the morning?”

He searched her face. “Yes.” The smallest hesitation. Then “Please. Stay a little while longer tonight.”

She froze, realizing she still wasn’t immune to him. Something in that plea, in the harshness of his tone, the vulnerability lurking behind the lopsided smile...

With a small smile, she let herself drop back into her seat. For the first time she wondered if she would regret this, running away like a scared little girl rather than staying like the brave woman she knew she was.

“You wanted to have a drink with me.”

She indicated her empty wineglass. “And so we did.”

“We still have half a bottle to empty.” Without waiting for her to reply, he refilled both their glasses. “Please. Sit with me and enjoy the night.”

Pleased, she raised her glass and took a tiny sip. “Maybe I’ll ask you a few of those questions after all.”

His stare was frankly appraising. “Go right ahead. I can’t promise I’ll answer them, but why not give it a shot?”

So she did. The next hour flew by. They killed the bottle of wine, and when he went to get a second, she shook her head. “I’m not much of a drinker,” she said, feeling pleasantly warm. Despite his earlier warning, he’d answered all of her questions, which meant they’d probably been too simple and banal.

Oh, well, they’d served their purpose.

What really bothered her, if she admitted the truth to herself, was that Matt hadn’t made a single move toward her, other than the brief touch of her hand. Had all that angst been for nothing?

“Did you enjoy your visit?” he asked, his voice mellow.

“I did,” she answered honestly. And then, because she had to give it one more try, she continued, “Except for one thing. There’s one regret I have about my time here,” she told him, leaning back in her chair, letting him know she was replete and satisfied with good food and the excellent company. Even though inside, she still felt edgy and on guard. Always on guard.

“A regret? What’s that?” He sounded so wary she smiled. He was beautiful and sexy and sensual and she wanted him, though she shouldn’t. None of that could matter. Too late, she’d come to her senses and could focus on what she’d come here to do. Only, her time was up.

“I wanted to go riding. Those horses of yours are so beautiful and their gait...it looks like they’re floating. I’d love to experience that myself.”

Again, she gave him the truth. Mentally crossing her fingers, she hoped this would be enough. Even if this bought her only one more day, she’d be one day closer to learning his secrets. She’d already decided she needed to ramp up her search. She hadn’t even found a single hint of his alleged ammunition stockpile.

Of course, she could do nothing if she wasn’t allowed to stay.

The smoldering look he gave her started a fire deep inside. Or, she thought dizzily, the wine might have had something to do with her imagining it.

Either way, he stared at her for a long moment before nodding as if he’d finally made up his mind.

“I tell you what. Why don’t you hang around here one more day? Your article won’t be complete unless you can write about the experience of riding one of my horses.”

Yay! Victory. Keeping all hints of triumph out of her smile, she pushed to her feet and thanked him. “I’m going to call it a night,” she said, holding out her hand.

He took it, but instead of shaking it, he pulled her to him, so close that her breath caught in her chest.

“Earlier, when...”

She groaned, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

“Don’t be sorry.”

Heaven help her, but she couldn’t force herself to move away. “Matt, I—”

Before she could give voice to her doubts and find more excuses, he kissed her. Slanted his mouth over hers and gave her a toe-curling, insides-melting, let’s make love right here, right now kiss. Again.

Stunned, shocked and more aroused than she’d been the last time they’d locked lips, she stood as still as a statue. At first.

Then, as he brought his other arm up and snuggled her up against him, breasts to rock-hard, manly chest, she felt the resistance go out of her like a big sigh.

“It’s only a kiss,” he murmured against her mouth before taking her lips again. Or at least she thought he said that—it might have only been her inner voice talking.

The kiss went on and on, deepening until her entire body felt electric with want and need and foolish, dangerous desire. He shifted, letting her feel his arousal large against her, and her traitorous body responded with a squeeze.

She wanted him—right now. Part of her wanted to give in, to go with the moment. But...

And there was always that but...held back, held in reserve.

Regretfully, she broke away. “Whew,” she managed, praying she sounded breathlessly lighthearted rather than hopelessly stunned. “That was quite a kiss, Matt.”

Now would have been when he would say something falsely charming and trite like “There’s more where that came from,” she supposed.

Instead he said nothing, only stood staring at her, his chest rising and falling with his own breath, those damnably beautiful eyes of his hidden in shadows.

For that, she was thankful. Mumbling something that she hoped sounded like an apology, she turned and hurried away into the darkness. Retreating, yes. Something she rarely did but knew she’d have to do now, or she’d have major regrets.

Her mouth felt swollen from his kiss. She stumbled, moving too fast in the dark, and slowed her pace. Though she didn’t know how she knew, Matt wouldn’t come after her. He wasn’t the type to force himself on anyone.

Wasn’t the type? Reaching her trailer, she pulled on the door handle and swung herself up the steps and inside. Turning the lock, she crossed the few feet to the sofa and dropped like a rock. Talia immediately came and jumped up next to her.

Snuggling with her dog, she tried to think. What the hell had just happened? Once again she touched her mouth, remembering the kiss and the heat....

* * *

As Matt watched Skylar stumble away, he didn’t know what to think. She’d given hint after hint that she’d be open to exploring other possibilities. And, even though he knew this was because she’d needed a reason for him to let her keep hanging around, he hadn’t been able to banish the notion from his head.

Skylar naked, her spectacular body gleaming in the moonlight.... Despite the wine, he’d become aroused just thinking about it.

The weird thing was, he truly enjoyed her company. The time they’d spent earlier with the horses and the meal they’d just shared had made him feel they really connected. More than he’d been able to relate to any woman in a long, long time.

Which proved again that in matters of the heart he was a fool. Better to go with women like he usually did, party girls who were always ready to play.

Still, turning to gather up the remnants of their meal, he didn’t understand why Skylar had run away. The kiss they’d shared had been molten, liquid fire hinting at pleasure to come.

He shrugged, forcing his thoughts to other matters. Though he’d issued an invitation to go riding tomorrow, he seriously doubted she’d stay now. For whatever reason, the passion that had flared between them frightened her. Was it because it was unprofessional, or was the rationale more intimate and personal?

In better times, he’d have gone on a quest to learn why. Now he had other things to do.

* * *

Rising before dawn, Matt took a hot shower and made his way down to the kitchen to have his breakfast. He ate his cereal standing up, rinsed his bowl and left it in the sink with the dishes from last night.

The sky had barely begun to lighten when he saddled Saint and rode out. He loved it like this, when the entire ranch still slept and he and his horse were the only ones stirring.

He rode through the various pastures, dismounting to open and close the gate. Finally, he reached the vast back part of his ranch, where small hills dotted the landscape. He’d even found a small waterfall, picturesque enough for a picnic, though he’d never taken anyone there.

Way back, near the place where his property intersected with an obscure farm-to-market road, there were caves. Since he’d taken to storing ammunition there, he’d also taken a cue from Skylar and began carrying his own firearm. He’d also set up remote surveillance cameras with sensors that would alert him if anyone got too close.

Riding out, he searched his land, absorbing the peace and sense of pride, though usually this was bittersweet as he wished his family could somehow have shared this joy with him.

With those thoughts came the harsh ones, and though he lived with them daily, he didn’t want to think about vengeance now. Instead, he found his thoughts kept returning to Skylar, the woman rather than the federal agent.

He wanted her with a fierceness that startled him. But try as he might, he couldn’t see a way to have her without jeopardizing everything he had planned.

Damn it.

As he rode, the sky lightened even more, signaling the imminent arrival of dawn. The peace of the wild land soothed him, and he relaxed into the saddle. As visibility improved, he thought he saw something moving up ahead. Not a horse or stray cattle, but what appeared to be a human, though at this distance he couldn’t see if it was one of his employees or a stranger.

“Come on, boy.” Urging Saint into a lope, then a gallop, he rode toward it. Whoever it was realized—too late—that they’d been spotted and took off at a run.

Matt rode hard, well aware there was no way a human could outrun a horse.

* * *

Too restless to sleep, Skylar rose at dawn and took to pacing the trailer. Fifteen steps to the bed and the same number back. Should she stay or should she go? This changed things. Or did it? He’d offered to let her stay another day and ride—the riding part had nothing to do with her job and everything to do with her.

But did she want to? She knew she did. And staying meant she’d have a bit more time to search and try to learn where Matt kept his ammunition. One day wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

Decision made, she rushed through her normal morning preparations. Though the sun hadn’t yet fully risen, it was light enough to see. She’d take an early-morning ride, if she could get to the mare she’d borrowed before. Hopefully, she could do this and get the horse back without Matt realizing. She’d search parts of the ranch she hadn’t checked. She didn’t have long. She might as well use every minute to her advantage.

The spread was huge—3,320 acres. Much of it was accessible only on horseback or four-wheeler. Previously, she’d discounted the more remote parts as a storage place because the logistics of getting the ammo out there were close to impossible. She’d made the possibly erroneous assumption that Matt would subscribe to a similar train of thought—why make things any more difficult than they had to be?

Still, she had to give it a shot. After feeding Talia and letting her out, she hurried to the barn as the sky continued to lighten.

* * *

Losing sight of his quarry, Matt slowed Saint back to a brisk walk. He’d best be careful. On this part of the ranch, there were several large boulders behind which an interloper could hide.

There were also the caves.

Matt drew his weapon, aware that out in the open he was a sitting target.

The sharp crack of gunfire was his only warning. The first shot grazed Matt’s arm, which hurt like hell but wasn’t serious. Reining Saint in, he dismounted in a flash, looping the reins loosely around the saddle horn before slapping his horse on the butt.

“Go,” he shouted, ducking behind some boulders. The horse reared and took off at a full-out run. To Matt’s relief, no one shot at Saint, and the stallion vanished into the distance.

Now to find the shooter. Drawing his weapon, he moved forward, using rocks and trees for cover. He could only hope there was not more than one.

There. Up ahead. Darting forward, he dived from one boulder to another. At the movement, a volley of gunshots erupted.

A man appeared, dark head above the boulders, gun raised. Matt squeezed off a shot.

His shot went wide, ricocheting off the rocks. More shots, this time to his left. He fired and fired again. How many men were there? He’d seen only one.

Footsteps behind him. He spun, weapon raised, and nearly hit her. Skylar.

She dived from behind her boulder to join him.

“I’ve got your back,” she said, unsmiling.

“Damn it,” he growled. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I went for a ride.” Her voice was low. Controlled. “Borrowed one of your mares—I’ll explain that later. Anyway, I saw a group of strange men and went to investigate.”

He didn’t bother to comment on the intelligence of that act. “How many are there?”

“Four, maybe five. I’m not sure how they got here. I didn’t see any horses or hear any four-wheelers.”

“There’s an old road not too far from here. They probably parked on it and came here on foot.

“Where’s your horse?” he asked.

“I let her go.” She frowned. “She should be okay, right?”

He nodded. “I sent Saint away, too. We’ll round them up later.”

More shots, pinging harmlessly off the rocks and trees. “You’ve got some good cover, but you’re boxed in,” she told him.

“I know, but I didn’t have a choice.” Narrowing his eyes, he weighed their options. “We’ve got to find a way to flush them out.”

Another round of shots. As if they were a team, they both returned fire.

“One of them is hit,” she said. “I got him right in the shoulder.”

He found he was glad she was a crack shot. “Good. I think I got one, too.”

“You’re wounded.” Eyes wide, she grabbed him. “Let me see.”

He jerked away. He’d managed to forget about being wounded until she pointed it out. Now his damn arm had begun aching. “I’m fine. The bullet only grazed me.”

“You’re lucky,” she told him, her voice harsh. “What happened?”

“Long story short, I was out riding and saw a guy. I rode after him and into some sort of ambush.”

“Deliberate?”

“Possibly.” He shrugged and then winced at the unexpected pain. “I tend to think I surprised them.”

She gave him a hard look. “Maybe. Or if they were expecting to catch you alone, I’m guessing they weren’t expecting me. Do you normally ride out here in the morning?”

Her harsh, law-enforcement style of questioning made him grimace. Again he wondered if she realized how much that revealed. “No. I come here occasionally. I’m guessing they were on a clandestine hunting operation.”

“For what?” she asked, even though he knew she knew.

“Never mind.”

An ominous silence had fallen. Either their opponents were taking stock and making a plan, or they were retreating. Stuck behind this boulder, he couldn’t see much.

Moving cautiously, he raised his head and tried to take a look. Though no shots came, he saw nothing, either.

“What now?” she asked.

“No idea,” he told her.

“Do you want to rush them?”

“Rush them? We’re completely outnumbered.”

“True, but we’d have the element of surprise on our side.”

He hadn’t known she had a death wish. “No. Out of the question.”

“Then what’s your plan? We can’t stay here forever. We’re sitting ducks.”

Though he liked her fierceness, he couldn’t let her risk her life. “Hold on. Sit still and listen.”

She went silent long enough to do as he asked. “I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly. I think they’ve retreated.”

Before he could stop her, she pushed away and went charging for the next large group of boulders. “Cover me.”

Because he had no choice, he did. But no one shot at them. Dashing forward, he joined her.

“Come on,” she told him, apparently intending to climb to the top of the rock hill. He grabbed her arm before she could.

“Wait.”

Though she made a sound of impatience, she did as he asked.

Popping up, he squeezed off another shot. There was no response.

“They’re gone,” she said, practically vibrating with impatience. “If we can get to the top, we can get a bead on where they are.”

“As long as we have cover,” he cautioned. “Safety first.”

She made a sound that either could have been agreement or derision. “Lead the way,” she said.

Cautiously, he moved forward and up. A rock here, then a twisted scrub tree, then a large, open expanse that was the only way to the top of the hill.

“Well?” She eyed him, one perfectly shaped brow arched. “Do you want to go for it? Every second wasted gives them more time to get away.”

Since he suspected she was right, he nodded. “I’m going alone. Wait here.”

Without waiting for her to comply, he dashed up the remaining distance. Somehow he wasn’t surprised when she came along right behind him.

“I told you I’ve got your back,” she said, waving away any protests he might be about to make. “Look.” She pointed. “Over there, near the road.”

In the distance, he could see the group of men running. A beat-up black Suburban parked nearby was apparently their destination.

“They’re nearly there.”

“Too far for us to catch them.” He cursed. “And we’re not close enough to make out the plates.”

Side by side, they watched as the men climbed into the vehicle and sped away.