When fifth-generation Idaho cattle rancher Hunter McFall agreed to meet with a lawyer representing a fancy-pants New York City real estate developer, he had no intention of parting with even an inch of McFall land. He planned to hear the fellow out, tell him no, pat him on the head, and send him on his way back to the city.
Only he’s a she, a smart redhaired spitfire named Poppy Chastain, and now, all bets are off. Maybe it’s time this heart-hardened widower took another chance on love.
But is she playing him to get what she wants–a parcel of McFall land to build a road to the exclusive new resort her company is putting on the mountain overlooking his ranch?
Here’s a snippet from HUNTER’S PRIDE, Redheads & Ranchers Book 2.
Golden sunlight streamed through the windows of the cabin, creating a brilliant space that was in stark contrast to the dark box from the previous night. Hunter sighed to himself as he watched Poppy spoon another bite of oatmeal past her perfect lips. She looked across the table at him and smiled softly.
They were dressed in their clothes from the previous day, now dry thanks to the fire. The only difference was that Poppy had added the flannel shirt over her white t-shirt, wearing it like an oversized jacket.
Throughout the morning as they’d restored order to the cabin and made breakfast, they’d worked quietly, occasionally exchanging knowing glances and subdued smiles.
Hunter sipped his coffee, and his mind drifted to the previous night. After the blowjob that had to have registered on the Richter scale, they’d gone to bed, where they’d ended up making love twice more before finally succumbing to exhaustion.
Mentally, he shook his head. Five orgasms in one night. That was far and away his all-time personal record. And he’d seen to it that Poppy had enjoyed a few more than that.
She met his eyes again and smiled. A thought had been swirling around in his head since they’d lain breathless after that last time. It was still there when he’d awakened, Poppy curled into him with her red hair framing her sleeping face.
He hesitated, though. Maybe she does this all the time, he thought. The idea bothered him, but then, who was he to judge? He had no kind of claim on her. Three days ago, he’d assumed P.K. Chastain was a man.
When she tilted her head curiously, he realized he’d been staring.
“What’s up?” she smiled.
He shook his head slightly. “Nothing really.”
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “You just seem to have something on your mind.”
Stalling, he swiped a hand across his mouth and leaned forward on his elbows. “I was just thinking…” He frowned slightly. “How much longer are you in Idaho?”
“I fly back to New York on Sunday.”
He shifted his jaw. Nothing ventured…
“I was just thinking that maybe you might stay with me, at the ranch, rather than at the motel in town.” He watched her closely. “There’s a lot more I’d like to show you around here, and my house is a hell of a lot nicer than the Deer Creek Motor Lodge. Plus…” He trailed off.
“Plus?” Amusement twinkled in her eyes.
He exhaled sharply. “Plus, I think we’ve got an incredible connection. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I don’t do this on a regular basis.” He gestured toward the bed.
Her eyes widened. “I don’t do this on a regular basis,” she said. “Are you asking if I do?”
“No, God, no! I didn’t mean to imply… Shit.” He ran a restless hand through his hair. “I just mean that I feel like we have something here. And for the first time in a long time, I’d like to explore it and see where it leads.”
Feeling like he’d overstepped, he backtracked. “Maybe you’re more comfortable in town. I get it. And I imagine you have work to do. Don’t worry about it, it was just a random thought.”
Wordlessly, Poppy pushed back from the table and came around to him. She straddled his lap and took his hands in hers.
“Hunter, I like you. A lot. All this,” she nodded her head toward the bed. “That’s all you. I’ve never had a night like last night. Obviously, we have physical chemistry going on here, but I agree with you.” She smiled up at him. “I think it’s more than that. And I’d love to see where it goes.”
She kissed his cheek and slid off his lap. “I didn’t want to complain, but the motel is a pit. I’d lots rather stay with you.”
He felt his lips curl in a guarded smile. “Really?”
Poppy nodded, a slight frown wrinkling her brow. “I mean, it’s a little complicated, isn’t it? I’m supposed to be negotiating an offer from my company. But I suppose we’re still discussing it, right? It wouldn’t do for the office to know that I’m staying with you, though. It wouldn’t look very professional.”
“Will it be a problem?” For the first time, Hunter tried to factor Slade & Howell into the situation.
She grinned mischievously. “Not if they don’t know about it.”
Suddenly, Hunter wanted nothing more than for Poppy to be with him at the ranch for the rest of her time in Idaho.
“So, does that mean you’re staying with me?” He stood and walked toward her.
“That’s exactly what that means,” she smiled.
He released the breath he’d been holding as a smile spread across his face. “Great! Fantastic!” He rested his hands on her hips and leaned down to press a kiss to her lips. Reaching around his neck, Poppy steadied herself, tangling her fingers in his hair.
Reluctantly, he ended the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. “I’d better stop before we end up back in bed. I’m already having a hard time walking today.”
Poppy giggled. “I’d never complain about being sore, as long as it’s for all the right reasons.”
HUNTER’S PRIDE by Pandora Spocks
Pandora Spocks 