Two To Wrangle (Hotel Rodeo #2)(28)

“What about the boss lady?” Gabby asked when she returned. “How does Ms. Brandt feel about all this?”

“I’m trying to convince her that this place is worth the gamble.”

“Really? And how’s that working out?” she asked dubiously.

He shrugged. “Dunno yet, but at least I got her to come back.”

“You did?” Gabby asked with surprise. “Where is she?”

“Upstairs in the owner’s suite.”

“You aren’t taking her with you tonight?” Gabby asked.

“Nope. I asked her, but she declined. You know she’s not into any of this.” He tilted his head in a gesture meant to encompass the whole saloon. “She’s a New Yorker, a city girl through and through.”

“Yet you still think you can convince her to be your partner?”

“Dunno,” he said. “But I’m gonna try. I need someone who’s better with the financial side of things than I am. I might have control now, but as Tom’s daughter, Monica is still a partner in this place, whether she likes it or not. I just need to convince her that she likes it.”

“Well, speak of the devil.” Gabby nodded toward the swinging doors.

The moment Ty spun around, he experienced a dizzying rush of air leaving his lungs. Holy shit! Was that really Monica? Catching sight of Ty, she flashed a smile that made every man in the place stare. Ty eyed her slowly up and down again as she sashayed up to the bar.

“Buy me a drink, cowboy?” she asked with a look that gave him an instant semi.

“Right about now, I think I’d buy you anything your little heart desires. You are really rocking that look, sugar.”

“Glad you approve,” she said. “I changed my mind about going tonight.”

“Did you now?”

“Yup. When in Rome . . .”

“Martini, Ms. Brandt?” Gabby asked.

“Not tonight, Gabby. I’m feeling a bit more adventurous,” Monica said, never taking her gaze from Ty’s.

“That so?” Ty asked.

“Yeah. I think maybe I’ll try a shooter instead. What’s the special, Gabby?”

Gabby grimaced. “You might be sorry you asked. It’s Buckle Bunnies and Cowboy Cocksuckers.”

“Maybe not that adventurous,” Monica laughed. “Could they make the drink names any filthier? How about you surprise me?” she said to Gabby.

“Sure thing, boss lady,” Gabby turned away to mix a drink.

“Maybe you’d like to try a Cowgirl Clit Licker instead?” Ty murmured low in Monica’s ear.

“That offer’s hard to refuse,” she replied. “But I thought you had important business tonight.”

“I can only think of one kind of business right now,” Ty replied, sliding his hands up to grip her waist. “And I’m half ready to throw you over my shoulder and go take care of it. I can’t get enough of you in that outfit, sugar. All you need now is a pair of fanny fringe chaps to complete my fantasy. I gotta ask, what brought this all about?”

“Curiosity mostly,” she replied. “I did a little research today. It seems the bull-riding championship generates close to fifteen million in non-gaming revenue in Las Vegas. I’m a numbers girl, and figures like that are hard to ignore. So I decided to see for myself what all the hype is about.”

“So this is just about business?” Ty asked.

“Only in part,” she confessed. “I also hoped to see that priceless look on your face.” She added with a quirk of her lips, “I admit it was worth every penny I spent.”

“It’ll be worth every penny when I get you upstairs,” he promised darkly.

“I’m counting on that, Ty. So tonight is the big finale?”

“Yeah. There were thirty-five cowboys initially,” Ty explained, “but they got narrowed down to fifteen for the final round.”

“How much is this championship worth?” Monica asked.

“Two hundred fifty thousand, cash money,” Ty replied.

“Wow. No wonder it’s so competitive.”

“It’s the fastest-growing sport in the US,” Gabby interjected.

“I met a young cowboy the first week I was here,” Monica said. “His name was Kade Mc-something. He reminded me a little bit of Brad Pitt. He said he knew you. He told me his brother is one of the riders.”

“Yeah,” Ty said. “His name’s Kade McDaniel. I heard the snot-nosed little shit tried to pick you up.”

“He never stood a chance, Ty.”

“Good thing,” Ty said. “I’d hate to have to beat the bejeesus out of my best friend’s brother. What’s the news about Zac?” Ty asked Gabby as she set a glass in front of Monica. “Did he make the cut?”

“Only by the skin of his teeth,” Gabby replied. “He’s number fifteen.”

“Who’s first?” Ty asked.

“Guilherme Alvaro,” Gabby replied. “Plenty of cowboys had hoped to take him down a few notches, but he’s in the lead by almost five hundred points.”

“Damn.” Ty blew out a breath and shook his head. “With that kinda lead, Alvaro doesn’t even have to show up to win. Zac doesn’t have a snowball’s chance. He’s a real good rider, but he’s been at this too long. There’s lots of younger cowboys eager to win that purse, not to mention the Brazilians, who have kicked our American asses for far too long. I just hope Zac makes the whistle. Going home with empty pockets would only be salt in the wound.”