Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(76)

He turned away from the door, intending to ignore it and go shower, but the bell sounded again in rapid succession. His uninvited caller was damned persistent. Ready to unload on whoever disturbed his peace, he padded barefoot and shirtless to the door and flung it open to find Nikki standing there.

“You?” He glowered in disbelief.

“Yeah. Me. Can I come in?”

He hesitated, arms across his chest. “Why’d you come here? Looking for another good-bye f*ck? Is that what you want from me?”

“No, Wade.” Her eyes flickered at his confrontational demeanor but her tone remained even. “Please, we really need to talk.”

“There’s nothing left to say. I’m not interested in picking this back up, Nikki. I told you I don’t believe in long-distance relationships.”

He’d made his feelings for her clear once and she’d walked away. Although he’d known the minute he laid eyes on her again that he wasn’t over her yet—not by a long shot—he still couldn’t put himself through that agony again.

“That’s not why I’m here.”

His gaze narrowed. “Then what are you here for?”

“I want to discuss a business proposition.”

“What kind of business?” he demanded.

“Your brother wants to lease my pastureland, but I came to see if I can negotiate a different kind of deal with the Flying K.”

“Shouldn’t you be talking to Dirk about this?”

“Evans is already presenting my proposal to Dirk, but you’re still involved in the business side of the ranch, aren’t you?”

“I s’pose, but only until Dirk buys me out.”

“Then you are part of this too. Can I come in?”

He stepped aside with an exasperated sigh, arm outstretched in reluctant invitation. She followed him inside, shrugged out of her coat, and handed it to him. Apparently this was not going to be the brief conversation he’d hoped for.

Involuntarily, his gaze tracked over her, lingering on her curves. Shit. She was wearing the black dress again. Had she worn it just to torture him? If so, it was working. It pissed him off royally that she’d wear that same dress, and even more that he was responding to it.

Preferring to avoid temptation, he didn’t join her on the sofa, but sprawled in an overstuffed chair opposite her. The dress was damned distracting. He wondered if she wore the thigh-highs. His mind wandered back to the last time she’d worn that dress and how she’d looked at him when he got her off in the parking lot, then how she’d ridden him in the SUV. He was getting hard just thinking about it.

Her skirt rose when she sat down, but not enough that he could tell what was underneath. Then she crossed her legs, giving him a better view. Yup. Sure as hell, she was wearing the damned thigh-highs.

“What kind of deal?” he asked, carefully modulating his voice. This was business. She was just another client. He’d treat her with strict professional courtesy, nothing more, no matter how hard she made his dick.

“Cattle, Wade.”

“Cattle?” he repeated blankly.

“Yes, I came to talk about ranching.”

“You drove to Helena to ask me questions about cattle ranching?”

“Yes, you advised me to make some investments and your brother’s looking to expand.”

“—against my advice.”

“Why would you be against a perfectly good business opportunity?”

“Because it means taking on more debt. He could lose everything.” He shook his head. “I’m done. If he falls on his face I’m not bailing him out.”

“He wouldn’t have to go into debt if he had an investor.”

“Who’d be fool enough—”

“Me.”

“You?” He stared at her as if she’d sprouted a second head. “Don’t you recall anything I told you about ranching?”

“I remember everything, Wade. Look, I have a business degree that I worked six long years for, but haven’t put to any real use. I also own a thousand prime acres in Montana. Why shouldn’t I invest in cattle? It makes perfect sense—”

“It doesn’t make a lick of sense! You don’t know shit about cattle.”

She jutted her chin. “You don’t know anything about what I do or don’t know about cows! As I recall, you didn’t think I knew the backside of a horse either. Besides, I can learn, can’t I?”

“You’re out of your ever-lovin’ mind if you wish to pursue this.”

“But it was you who introduced me to the meat, after all. Do you remember that night, Wade?” How could he ever forget? He shifted in his chair. “It was tender and succulent.” She ran her tongue over her lips.

His attention riveted to her mouth. He recalled the feel of her lips on him, surrounding him, and wanted like hell to feel them again.

“What I sampled with you was the best I ever had, Wade, and I haven’t wanted any other since. Problem is,” she continued, “I haven’t found anything like it in Georgia, so who’s going to satisfy my craving, Wade? It seems I have little choice now but to satisfy myself.”

Was he imagining the sexual innuendo? Either way, he was getting as hard as a f*cking post.