Hell on Heels (Hotel Rodeo #1)(52)

“So you’ve seen him?” Monica asked.

“Yeah. He left a few hours ago with some VIP that his ex brought in.”

“His ex? Ex what?”

“His ex-wife, Delaney. They all went to watch the bull riding.”

Monica started in disbelief. “Ty was married?”

“I’m sorry. I thought you knew,” Gabby added with a rueful look. “They didn’t last long, and she took him to the cleaners.”

That revelation explained a number of things about Ty. Monica recalled an especially bitter remark about a rattlesnake bite. She suddenly understood that he might have had valid reasons for keeping women at a distance. He’d been hurt, just as she’d been wounded by her family, and they’d both reacted the same way—by putting up stone walls.

“Did you want a drink?” Gabby asked.

Monica dropped her purse onto the bar. “You know, I think I do. How about a Grey Goose martini up with a twist.”

“Are you staying for the party tonight?”

“What party?” Monica asked.

“Ty didn’t tell you about it?”

“No, he didn’t.” Monica frowned, hurt that he hadn’t even mentioned it. “He only said he had some important business to see to today.”

“He’s throwing a bash for some of the riders and the VIP Delaney brought in. I hear he’s a Houston oil man, but she comes from big money too. Then again, everything’s big in Texas, right?” Gabby quipped and proceeded to mix the drink.

“So his ex is a Texan?”

“Yeah. A former beauty queen. She was Miss Yellow Rose or something like that.”

“Why did they split up?” Monica couldn’t help asking.

“She claims he cheated on her.”

“Is it true?” Monica asked.

“Ty denies it, but there were some pretty suggestive pictures on Flickr.”

Monica snorted. “Then it’s probably a good thing he doesn’t do relationships.”

“Don’t let him fool you,” Gabby said, reading her thoughts. “That player image isn’t who he really is. Or at least who he wants to be.”

“Well, he’s pretty damned convincing ’cause he sure fooled me.” Monica gave a dry laugh. “When do you expect him back? I need to talk to him.”

Gabby glanced at her watch. “Any time now. He said between ten and eleven. And it’s almost ten. That’s when the party officially starts.” Gabby slid the drink in front of her. “I’m surprised Ty didn’t invite you. But he probably didn’t think you’d be interested.”

“Why would he assume that?” Monica asked.

“I don’t know.” Gabby shrugged. “Maybe because you’re so different from most of the folks that come here.”

Or maybe because she’d never expressed even remote curiosity about his world? Gabby was right. Why would Ty think she’d be interested? She’d done nothing to try to fit in.

A group of people entered the bar, chattering and laughing. She recognized the first cowboy as Kade, the guy who’d hit on her the other night. The second cowboy she assumed was his brother, the bull rider. A couple followed them in, a curvy brunette in skintight jeans and a tall, lean cowboy with his arm draped around her shoulders as he guided them all to a table. He glanced across the bar and their eyes met.

Her throat knotted. It was Ty. And he was with Cassie.



Shit. The last person Ty had expected to see tonight was Monica.

Her eyes widened with surprise and then narrowed again as they swept over Cassie. He knew that look all too well. “Pardon me a minute,” he excused himself from the group and made his way across the bar. He tipped his hat. “Didn’t think I’d see you here, but since you are, would you like to join us?” He nodded to the table.

“No, thanks,” she replied tight-lipped, clearly seething. “You move lightning-fast, don’t you, Ty? Me just this morning. And now Cassie? Is that why you were in such a big hurry to leave? One woman a day isn’t enough for you?”

“I said why I had to leave.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I told you I had business to take care of. Important business. This ain’t what you think, Ms. Brandt, but even if it was, I told you I answer to nobody. I’m not about to tell you how to live your life, and I don’t cotton to anyone dictating mine. Now, if you’d like to come and join us, I’ll be happy to introduce you around.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’m leaving.” She stood. “Goodbye, Ty.”

Something about her tone and demeanor suggested far more than just “good night.”

“Goodbye? What do you mean?” he asked.

“It means I’m done, Ty. Done with Las Vegas. Done with this hotel. And especially done with you.”

He watched her walk out with his hands clenched at his sides, fighting the urge to go after her. But what would he say? Apologize for something he didn’t do?

Fuck that.

Once again she’d jumped to conclusions when he’d done nothing wrong. He was sick and tired of her thinking the worst of him, and what was the point of explaining himself when she didn’t give a shit about his world anyway? He turned back to the table with a pasted-on smile.