Montana Mavericks: a hot cowboy collection Read online

  “Jake, you didn’t answer your brother.” She tilted her head to allow for better access. “About what you’re going to do with me.”

  His smile was pure sin as he raised his head and midnight dark eyes captured hers. “I caught you, Sunshine. I’m keeping you.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  There are so many folks who help to make sure a book becomes a final product—many behind the scenes whose names I don’t even know. So first, to all the hardworking people at Entangled who make the company run so smoothly—thank you!

  Thank you to my very patient and understanding family. My husband, Big Tone, you’re the best. And I like that you’ve learned to just nod when a crazy lady at the grocery store asks if the books feature you. Thanks to Gabe and Karly—I appreciate that you pretended I was taking stats at your basketball games and not really plotting out my next scene. You kids rock!

  Thank you to my clear-headed, thought-provoking, and loyal agent, Caitlin Blasdell—I’m so glad I found you! Thanks as well to her colleagues at Liza Dawson Associates—you’re a wonderful group.

  Thank you to my editor, Liz Pelletier, who I had to ply with red wine and sit on in Seattle until she agreed to read my submission. (Note to aspiring authors: this only works once). Thanks for the wonderful edits and the hard work…and I promise next time you suggest I expand a scene I won’t add a full twenty pages. Well, probably.

  Thank you to my Entangled team: Heather Howland, Misa Ramirez, Jessica Estep, Barbara Hightower, Sarah Weiss, Cameron Yeager, Robin Haseltine, Toni Kerr, Alanna Hilbink, and Curtis Svehlak. Also to everyone who has worked on my behalf whose names I don’t know yet. You’re amazing!

  Thanks to the Inland Empire Chapter of RWA—I appreciate the support and friendship!

  Thanks also to my hard-working Facebook Street Team—you’re a lot of fun, and you always make me smile. I appreciate the hard work!

  This one is for Debbie English Smith, my younger sister, whose gift with horses would’ve made her fit right in with the Maverick Montana folks.

  We just returned from an awesome time in Vegas, and according to the Top Dollar machine,

  “You’re a Winner!”

  Chapter One

  Juliet tensed the second the outside door clanged shut. So much for her brief reprieve. She turned around and sat on the highest rung of the ladder, her gaze on the hard wooden floor so far below her feet. Paintings still hung on the wall, and she needed to take them down. But first, she had to face the sheriff.

  She’d known he’d show up after receiving her e-mail. Nerves jumped in her belly as she waited.

  He strode into the main room of the art gallery and brought the scents of male and pine with him. Stopping several feet away, he looked up. “Juliet.”

  “Sheriff.” She took a deep breath, trying to keep her focus on his dark eyes.

  But that body deserved a second glance. Tight and packed hard, the sheriff wore faded jeans, a dark button-downed shirt, and a gun at his hip. Black hair swept away from a bronze face with rugged features. Not handsome, but definitely masculine and somehow tough. Years ago, she’d liked tough. Many years ago.

  He cocked his head to the side and studied her.

  For months, he’d been studying her…that dark gaze probing deep, warming her in places she tried to control. But Quinn Lodge was all about control, and the smirk he gave promised she’d be the one relinquishing it. “Any other woman, I’d be worried about that top rung. Not you, though,” he murmured.

  She smiled to mask her instant arousal from his gravelly voice and resorted to using a polite tone. “You don’t care if I fall?”

  “I care. But you won’t fall. You’re the most graceful person I’ve ever met. Ever even seen.” Admiration and something deeper glimmered in his eyes.

  She swallowed. “Thank you. Now perhaps we should get to the arguing part of the evening.”

  “I’m not going to argue.” Stubbornness lined his jaw, at home and natural along the firm length. “Neither are you.”

  While the words sounded like a peaceful overture, in truth, they were nothing but an order. She clasped her hands together and smoothed down her long skirt. When he used that tone, her panties dampened. If the boys from the private school who’d dubbed her “frigid virgin” could only see her now. “Good, no arguing. We agree.”

  His grin flashed a dimple in his left cheek, and he shifted his weight. “You’re not leaving the gallery.”

  “Yes, I am.” She should not look. She absolutely would not look. But she’d recognized his move when he’s shifted his weight…yes. A very impressive bulge filled out the sheriff’s worn jeans.

  She swallowed, her ears ringing. Her thighs suddenly ached to part.

  His eyebrows rose. “Juliet?”

  Guilt flashed through her even as her eyes shot up. “Yes?”

  His smile was devastating. “Would you like to finally discuss it?”

  “Your erection?” The words slipped out before she could think. Oh God. She slapped a hand over her mouth.

  He laughed, the sound male and free. “Here in the backcountry, ma’am, we prefer the term hard-on. But yes, let’s discuss the fact that I’m permanently erect around you. Tell me you’re finally ready to do something about it.”

  Her heart bashed into her rib cage. “Like what?” she choked.

  “Well now”—he tucked his thumbs in his pockets, his gaze caressing up her legs to her rapidly sharpening nipples—“I’ve never taken a woman on a ladder before, but the thought does have some possibilities. How flexible are you, darlin’?”

  The spit dried up in her mouth, while warmth flowed through the rest of her. He wasn’t joking. If she gave the word, he’d be on her. Shock filled her at how badly she wanted the sheriff on her. Most men would be at least a little embarrassed by the tented jeans. Not Quinn Lodge. He wanted to explore the idea.

  “While I appreciate your offer, I’d prefer we returned to settling the issue of the gallery.” Could she sound any less like a spinster from the eighteen hundreds? “I’m unable to pay the rent, and thus, I need to move on.” But where? The upcoming art show needed to be somewhere close by or nobody would attend. While she had no choice but to flee town right after the opening, at least she could leave on a triumphant note.

  “I don’t need the rent. Let’s keep a running total, and after you’re hugely successful, you can pay me.” He ran a broad hand through his hair. “Stop being impossible.”

  She wasn’t a charity case. Plus, the last person she wanted to owe was the sheriff. The man viewed the world in clear, unequivocal lines, and she lived in the gray area. A fact he could never know.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not taking advantage of you.” She was out of money, and no way would she stick around.

  He sighed. “Juliet, I don’t need the money.”

  The words from any other man would’ve been bragging. Not Quinn Lodge. He was merely being nice…and telling the truth. His family owned most of Montana, and he’d invested heavily in real estate. The guy owned many properties, including the two-story brick building that had held her gallery for the past few months, since she’d arrived in town.

  She sighed. “I’m not owing you.”

  His chin lowered.

  Hers lifted.

  A cell phone buzzed from his pocket. He drew it out, frowned at the number, and then looked back up at her. “I, ah, need to take this. Do you mind?”

  “No.” Darn if his manners didn’t make her feel even more uncomfortable.

  “Thanks.” He lifted the device to his ear. “Lodge here.”

  He listened and slowly exhaled. “Thank you, Governor.” He shook his head. “I don’t think so… Yes, I understand what you are saying.” Dark eyes rose and warmed as they focused on Juliet’s hardened nipples. She’d cross her arms, but why hide? It wasn’t like the sheriff was
concerned about the massive erection he was still sporting, and she could be just as nonchalant as he. She dragged her thoughts back to his ongoing conversation.

  “I would, but I already have a date.” That dimple flashed again, this time longer. “Yes, I’m seeing someone—Juliet Montgomery. She owns the art gallery in town. Of course she’ll be at the dance as well as at the ride. Thank you very much.” He slid the phone into his pocket.

  Tingles wandered down Juliet’s spine. Several of her fantasies regarding the sheriff included being part of his everyday life. Of course, many more centered on his nights. “We’re dating?”

  “Well now,” only a true Montana man could drawl a sentence like that, “how about we reach an agreement?”

  She frowned even as her body sprang to attention. Her raging hormones would love to reach an agreement. “I’m not for sale, Quinn.”

  He lost the smile. “I would never presume you were. Here’s the deal—we both need help. How about we assist each other?”

  Without knowing the facts, she knew enough to understand this was a bad idea. No matter how many tingles rippled through her abdomen. “Why did you tell the governor we’re dating?”

  “He tried to fix me up with his niece, and I needed an out. You’re my out.” Dare and self-effacing humor danced on his face. “How about we date for the next six weeks, just until the election, and you keep the gallery rent-free? You’d really be helping me out.”

  Quinn was up for reelection for the sheriff’s office. She shook her head. “You don’t need to play games. Everybody loves you.”

  “No. The people in the town of Mineral Lake like me. But Maverick County is a large area, and I need the governor’s endorsement. The last thing I have time for is campaigning for a job I love when I need to be doing that job.”

  Considering she’d be leaving soon, maybe she should provide him some assistance. “You have more money than the governor. Buy some ads.”

  “I’m not spending money on ads. It’s a waste of resources as well as an insult to hardworking people.”

  “Tell the governor you aren’t interested in his niece.” Juliet narrowed her gaze. Quinn Lodge didn’t kowtow to anybody.

  “Refusing the governor is a bad idea.” He stalked closer to the ladder. “His niece is Amy Nelson, a woman I briefly dated, and she wanted more. Her daddy is Jocko Nelson, and he’s more than willing to spend a fortune backing Miles Lansing for sheriff. My already dating somebody saves my butt, sweetheart.”

  The last thing she wanted to talk about was his fine butt. Nor did she want to think about him dating some other woman. “I’m not your solution.”

  “Besides,” he reached the bottom of the ladder and held up a hand, “aren’t you tired of dancing around this? For the last few months, we’ve danced around this.”

  “That’s what responsible adults do.” She automatically took his hand to descend.

  Electricity danced up her arm from his warm palm.

  “Bullshit.” He helped her to the hard-tiled floor. “You feel it, too.”

  Yes, she did, and the crass language actually turned her on. But he didn’t know her, and he wouldn’t like her if he did. “I’ve chosen not to act on any temporary attraction.” As a tall woman, it truly unnerved her when she needed to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. “How tall are you, anyway?”

  He shrugged. “Six four, last time I checked. How about you?”

  “Five ten.”

  He nodded. “Petite. Very petite.”

  The man was crazy. She tugged her hand free. “I’m not dating you.”

  “I know. We’re pretending.” He glanced around at the many paintings on the wall. “Are these from Sophie’s new collection?”

  “Yes.” The man already knew his sister-in-law’s paintings adorned the walls.

  “Didn’t you promise her an amazing showing for the opening of your gallery?” he asked.

  Oh, guilt wasn’t going to work. Juliet sighed. “Yes.”

  “Well, then. This is the only place to have an amazing showing, right?” he asked.

  Wasn’t that just like a man to go right for the kill? Sophie was Juliet’s friend, one of her only friends, and the showing meant a lot to her. “You’re not being fair.”

  He reached out and ran a finger down Juliet’s cheek, his gaze following the motion.

  Heat flared from his touch, through her breasts, right down between her legs. “Stop,” she whispered.

  His hand dropped. “I need a pretend girlfriend. You need to keep the gallery open. This is a perfect agreement.”

  Darn it. Temptation had her glancing around the spectacular space. Three rooms, all containing different types of Western art, made up the gallery. The main room already held most of the paintings created by Sophie Lodge. Rich, oil-based paintings showing life in Maverick, life on the reservation, and the wickedness of Montana weather. The showing would put both Sophie’s art and Juliet’s gallery on the Western-gallery map just like the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, or the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole.

  She wanted on that map. Perhaps badly enough to make a deal with the sheriff. Plus, she was tired of trying to ignore her attraction to Quinn. Would that attraction explode or fizzle if they spent time together? Frankly, it didn’t matter. She had to leave town soon. Why not appease her curiosity? “Okay, but keep your hands to yourself.”

  “But—”

  “No.” She pressed her hands on her hips. The man was too dangerous, too tempting. A woman had to keep some control, or Quinn would run wild. No question. “You’re creative, and this is your idea. If we pretend to date, you keep your hands off me.”

  His eyes dropped to an amused, challenging expression. He held out both hands, palms up. “Tell you what. These hands won’t touch you until you ask nicely. Very nicely.”

  “That will never happen,” she snapped.

  His left eyebrow rose. “I wondered if that red hair came with a temper.” Interest darkened his eyes to midnight. “So much passion locked up in such a classy package. I thought so.” He leaned into her space. “Be careful, or I’ll make you beg.”

  She almost doubled over from the spike of desire that shot through her abdomen. How many pairs of high-end panties had she gone through the last month, anyway? “Back away, Sheriff.”

  He stepped back, as she’d known he would, but the knowing desire in his eyes didn’t wane. He glanced at his smartphone. “Give me your cell number in case I can’t find you at the gallery.”

  She shuffled her feet. A cell? Yeah, right. Even if she had the money, they were too easy to trace. “I, ah, don’t have one.”

  Watchful intelligence filled his eyes as he glanced up. A cop’s eyes. “Why not?”

  “I have not had time to find the right one and choose a plan,” she lied.

  “Interesting.” He slipped the phone into his pocket, turned on the heel of his cowboy boot, and headed for the door. “Be ready at six tomorrow night for the Excel Foundation Fundraiser in Billings. The drive will take us an hour.”

  All tension disappeared from the room as he left. Well, except for the tension at the base of her neck from the land line phone being silent. It had been ringing for almost a week with nobody being on the other side. Surely a bunch of kids just goofing off, but she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that kept her up at night. Well, when erotic images of a nude Quinn Lodge weren’t haunting her dreams.

  She sagged against the ladder as she forced herself to relax. Yeah, right. Pretending to be the sheriff’s girlfriend would be anything but relaxing. What in the world had she just done?

  …

  The fundraiser was located at the Billings Mountain Hotel, and the grand ballroom sparkled like something out of New York. Chandeliers lined the ceiling, and real crystal decorated the tables.

  Juliet willed her nerves
to stop jumping.

  Just inside the main doors, Sophie Lodge grinned and looked her up and down. “You are gorgeous. Now stop being a chicken. I let you drive in with me earlier so you could avoid Quinn, but your time is up.”

  Juliet smiled to keep from frowning at her friend. “First of all, we had to come to the city to choose the music for your art show next month. Then, apparently, you needed to shop like you’d won the lottery.” It had been fun to shop with a friend again. Although her life had been odd, at one time, she’d had friends she’d enjoyed shopping with. Cool, cultured friends who minded their own business.

  Not Sophie. Nobody in the town of Mineral Lake minded their own business. Shopping with Sophie had been more like an inquisition into Juliet’s feelings for Quinn.

  Sophie flipped her wispy, blond hair over her shoulder. The mass framed her pixie face perfectly. “The menu we chose from the caterer was ideal, too.”

  Yes, it was. Unfortunately, the deposit for the food included the last dime Juliet owned. Now she had to go through with the sheriff’s charade no matter what. It was way too late to turn back.

  Sophie teetered on her heels. “It was nice of the hotel to let us change in one of the guest rooms.”

  The hair prickled on the back of Juliet’s neck. Was somebody watching her? She cased the room, and too many shadows slithered around the corners.

  “I really like your dress,” Sophie continued chattering.

  For goodness’ sake. Juliet needed to get a grip. Nobody was watching her. She glanced down at the sparkling green dress she’d brought when she moved to Montana. “I think I should’ve worn basic black.”

  “Why?” Sophie smoothed her hands over the blue fabric hugging her hips and the very slight baby bump. She’d wanted a fun pregnancy dress, but at only two months pregnant, everything had been too big. Her dress had spaghetti straps, a cinched waist, and great lines. “We work hard and deserve a break. Every woman should sparkle.”

  The last thing Juliet wanted to do was stand out. “This was such an incredibly bad idea.”