Two To Wrangle (Hotel Rodeo #2)(22)

“How do you figure that?” she asked.

“Mathematically,” he replied. “I’ve given that place almost eight years of my life. I can never get any of that back if this whole thing goes south. It’s not just about money. It’s about who I am. This is about my whole life. So you see now? This is treacherous ground for both of us. I’m in as much danger of drowning in the quicksand as you are.”

There it was again, that flash of vulnerability in his eyes. He was just as scared about this deal as she was, but he was right. He had far more to lose. The Hotel Rodeo was little more than a piece of real estate to Monica, but it was Ty’s identity. How could she walk away without at least giving him a chance to try and make a go of it? She had no doubt what Tom would have wanted her to do.

Monica drew a breath and then released it in a long sigh. “All right, Tyrone Jefferson Morgan. You’ve got a week.”

“A week?” He gave a short jerk of his head. “What do mean?”

“If you really want me to be your partner, I’ll give you seven days to convince me.” And she planned to enjoy every second of it. His gaze dropped to her hands as she grabbed hold of his belt buckle. One brisk tug jerked it free. “And the clock starts now.”





Chapter Seven


Monica awoke to a rustling sound and inhaled a tiny gasp. A thump and a mumbled curse told her there was someone else in the room. Whoever had entered didn’t bother with the lights. She realized it could only be Ty. Her heart hammered a rapid tattoo as one callused hand stroked her arm. “Monica, you awake?”

“I am now.” She sat up abruptly and pulled the chain on the bedside lamp. “What is it, Ty? Is something wrong?”

“Couldn’t sleep knowing you were just two doors down.”

“So you thought I could help you with that?” she asked, letting her gaze rove appreciatively over his lean, muscular frame as stood over her bed. Ty in his hat and boots was always tempting, but Ty barefoot and shirtless in low-slung jeans was like sex on a stick.

“Not exactly.” The corners of his mouth curved into a seductive smile. “I just decided you shouldn’t sleep either.”

“How considerate,” she said dryly.

“Just thought I shouldn’t waste any persuasion opportunities.” He leaned down, brushing warm soft lips over hers. The kiss, a surprising combination of tenderness mingled with desire, warmed her insides and set off warning sirens in her head. Sex was one thing, but tenderness intimated something more, something she wasn’t sure she could handle. He released her slowly, his hazel eyes asking for the invitation she had no will to refuse.

The moment she peeled back the covers, his mouth claimed hers again, but this time in orchestration with his hands. Both moved over her body with a slow and masterful deliberation that was too potent to resist. He slid a calloused palm between her thighs.

She moaned and reached for him, caressing his hard length through his jeans.

“Don’t stop there, sugar.” He groaned and helped her to free his cock.

Together, they peeled off his jeans. He wore nothing underneath but a proud pillar of manly flesh. Flesh that begged to be touched, stroked, kissed . . .

“Let me be on top this time, Ty,” she murmured between fevered kisses, but he resisted as she tried to push him backward onto the bed. Ty liked to be in charge.

So did she.

“Please, Ty.” She met his gaze as she took him in hand and slowly wet her lips. Earlier today, his magical mouth had taken her places she’d never been. Now she wanted to do the same for him.

His pupils flared with immediate understanding. He dropped back onto the mattress with a groan of surrender. She kissed him deeply as she straddled him and then broke away to work her greedy mouth down his delicious body. He surprised her by grabbing both of her hips in his hands.

“Turn around.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I want you to turn around when you do that—on your elbows and knees.”

Comprehension made her freeze. A hot flush rushed up her neck to invade her face. She was no prude about sex and thought she was well beyond blushing, but she’d never put herself so completely on display before. “But Ty . . . ,” she protested.

She should have known better. Ty was anything but passive in bed. He’d allow her to be on top, but that didn’t mean he was going to just lie there and take it like a good boy.

“Indulge me, sugar,” his voice urged even as his hands guided her into position. “I promise you’ll like it.” With any other man, riding on top was the only way she could get off, but Ty had seemingly made it his mission to make her come any damned way he chose. Maybe her brain resented the power coup, but the rest of her body tingled with anticipation.

“I can’t even tell you how much I love your ass, Monica . . .” His big warm hands slid over the globes. “So I’m thinkin’ I need to show you.”

His suggestive words and stroking hands melted her, making her insides as liquid as warm honey. It took everything she had to get her mind back on task—Ty’s pleasure.

Taking him in both hands, she lowered herself, breasts resting on his belly until his purple head stared her in the face—big, thick, and intimidating. Her position was awkward as hell, but she wasn’t about to let him unravel her, a vow she almost choked on at the first sensation of Ty’s searing tongue probing her slit.