Texas Hot (2 page)

“I shut the damn door so you wouldn’t notice right away what a mess I am,” he said. “Couldn’t afford to have you running off before giving us a chance.”

“Pfft. What’s an unmade bed here and there? I don’t scare that easily.”

“That’s good to know. Now that you’ve committed to the job I’ll feel free to show all my dirty little secrets.”

She moved a few feet into the space and squinted at the wide bank of windows and a pair of French doors along the far wall. “Is that a patio?”

Mitch nodded. “Every bedroom has one. I’m of the firm belief that sitting outside with that first cup of coffee every morning is the best way to start the day. Life doesn’t get much better than that.” He took her elbow and steered her across the room. She ignored the dirty clothes littering the floor and went with him straight to the double doors that led outside where a grouping of outdoor furniture sat upon the flagstone patio. Despite the size of the area, it still managed to seem cozy and intimate, stretching from one bedroom to the other. Bright pink bougainvillea grew in wild abandon across the solid stone fence and pots of geraniums and hydrangeas grew in stone or iron urns scattered here and there.  The view beyond the patio was no less spectacular. Green hills dotted with bluebonnets and other wildflowers stretched, it seemed, to the brilliant blue horizon. 

“This is so lovely, Mitch!”

“Glad you like it. There are normally so many cowboys coming in and out that it’s nice to have a private place just to get your thoughts together. Everyone deserves a quiet spot and this is one of my favorites.” He pointed to another set of French doors. “This leads to your room. Want to see it now?”

“Yes, please.”

Instead of walking back through his messy bedroom, Mitch led her across the patio and stopped at a second pair of doors. Gina’s face burned as she realized she’d be sleeping right next door to the boss. If he were the kind of man to have wicked ideas about using her body in one-hundred delicious ways, things could get interesting if she were weak enough to succumb to the sex appeal of the handsome rancher. Mitch was about as healthy and red-blooded as it got but for all she knew he had a serious woman in his life. It was for the best that she wasn’t trolling for a new relationship, no matter how tempting the man. 

Mitch opened the door to her room leaving Gina to table her thoughts for another time as they stepped into the spacious room. She caught her breath. The space was decorated in various light, neutral tones and no expense had been spared in furnishings. Along with a lovely four-poster queen bed was a grouping of comfy chairs, a small table and a dresser. Off in the distance, she spotted the open door leading to a private bath that she longed to explore. The Leoni’s weren’t poor, but neither had they lived luxuriously and her marriage to Anthony had certainly not been lavish. Far from it.

“Like it?”             

Gina gazed around, taking it all in, and then faced him with a grin “Have you ever landed a plane in here?” She laughed as she continued to take it all in. “I’ll be more than comfortable. I’ve never had a bedroom this nice or this big.”

Mitch looked as if he’d say something then seemed to check himself. “Well, just make yourself at home while you’re here. Later, I’ll send one of the hands to bring your bags in and you can get settled.”

“Can I see the kitchen now?”

After a nod, Mitch led her to the back of the house and to the kitchen and dining areas where she would spend her time while employed here. Gina strolled around the massive space, noting a giant rustic dining table with room for ten that sat near the sparkling chef’s kitchen. Bronze granite lined every countertop and copper pans gleamed from hooks placed over a center preparation island.

The space was perfection.

“I’ve never worked in a kitchen this nice.”

“Glad you like it. We had it remodeled a few years ago. Feeding a big crew is just part of running the ranch. If we need new equipment, we get it. That being said, if there’s anything you want to pick up in town that’ll make your work easier, say the word.”

“I will, Mitch, but looks like this kitchen and I will get along just fine.”

“Glad to hear it.” He nodded and pointed out another set of French doors. “These lead outside to the patio and backyard area. Explore at will.”  He speared her with a glance and she wondered if a sexier man had ever been born. Gina didn’t think so but it was probably a good idea to get those thoughts out of her mind immediately. She was proof positive that some women never learned. This was a temporary job and getting involved with a hot cowboy should be the dead last thing on her mind.

She dragged a heavy breath into her lungs. “All right. I’ll do that. Will you want to me start with dinner tonight?”

“Do you need time to settle in?”

“Not at all. I’m ready to get to work. I’ll rummage through the freezer and get an idea for tonight. Is there any particular time you’d like dinner?”

“Hm. I guess seven will work fine. Nothing fancy, mind you. You don’t need to kill yourself impressing us. We’re simple men.”

Gina highly doubted there was anything
simple
about either of the McBride men but she didn’t argue the point. Instead she nodded. “Okay, then. I’m ready to get my feet wet.”

Just off the kitchen sat what Mitch had called a mud room. Looked to her like a big laundry room, considering the washer, dryer, and stacks of folded clothes in a plastic basket, but who was she to quibble? He walked into it then came back into the room gripping a big, black, Stetson. He set it firmly on his head then checked his watch again. “Guess I’d better get back to work before the hands revolt,” he said, giving her a solemn nod. “I’m glad you’re here, Gina. We can really use the help. I’ll see you tonight at dinner.” When Mitch walked out into the sunny afternoon, Gina moved to doorway and watched him go. His boots kicked up small puffs of dust as he made his way to a row of neatly painted outbuildings. The black plaid shirt he wore hugged him across broad shoulders and worn jeans lovingly hugged his backside. His legs were sturdy and strong and for the first time she truly understood the term
horseman’s thighs
. This man was the epitome of what she’d always imagined a real cowboy would be, tough, strong and maybe just a little rough around the edges, the kind of man who might feel things deeply but would never let a woman see.

Gina licked suddenly dry lips and turned away from the sight before she did something completely stupid and start running fast and far from a good paying job. She’d left New York searching for some peace of mind and to escape the threats of her violent ex. As they said in the south, she had more trouble than you could ‘shake a stick at’ and she certainly didn’t need any more.

Mitch McBride was off limits.

Sad.

If her circumstances were different, she’d be begging this sexy-as-sin cowboy to take her on the ride of her life. What was it they said about rodeo bull riders? Eight seconds? Gina had no doubt her time in the saddle would take longer…a whole hell of a lot longer.

Hours and hours later, Gina lay in the strange bed in this new place finding it almost impossible to turn her mind off. The day had ended on a great note following her first dinner for the McBride brothers. Satisfaction swam through her system as she thought back to the evening meal. Her herb-crusted baked chicken, mashed potatoes and crunchy steamed vegetables had been devoured in a heartbeat, seconds served, and praises heaped on her head.

A very good start to her employment.

The ranch kitchen had everything needed for preparing food for a small army including double ovens, a huge built-in grill, and ample counter space. Cooking was one of her great loves and she’d always hoped that one day, when her parents retired, that she would take over the family business. Considering the way her marriage had ended, it was no longer possible as long as Anthony still lived in Brooklyn.

She could never go back.

Shoving memories of her ex to the back of her mind, Gina struggled to get comfortable in the big bed in the room she’d been given. Restless from the stress of finding employment, settling in, and becoming acquainted with the new environment, she wanted nothing more than to finally turn her brain off and get some rest. Plantation shutters covered a big bay window and the door leading outside. They were slightly cracked allowing shafts of moonlight to cast striped designs across the fluffy comforter on her bed. New places were always a bit disconcerting, but even she had to admit this was so much better than the steady stream of cheap motels she’d encountered on her travels. Now as she lay here thinking back on the day, Gina realized that she felt truly safe for the first time in weeks. She didn’t know the McBride brothers but it was hard not to believe they’d fight heaven and Earth to protect anyone under their big roof. Of course, neither had a clue she was running and she hoped like hell these guys would never find out.

Too restless to sleep, Gina sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed before padding to the door leading to the patio. A breath of clean air might do her good. She opened the door and stepped into the night. She eyed the padded chairs but sitting didn’t appeal so she walked to the low stone wall, leaned against it, and folded her arms on the cool ledge. A huge, white moon hung heavy in the sky. It was surrounded by a million scattered stars and so beautiful she forgot, at least for a while, that she was a stranger in a strange land.  A sense of homecoming washed over her, a feeling of belonging that she’d never felt before. Gina dragged a breath into her lungs but jumped at an unexpected sound. Gasping, she turned, and placing her hands over her thumping heart, stared at the sexy, half-dressed cowboy.

“Mitch! You scared the hell out of me!”

His laughter was low and raspy, a little rough-around-the-edges. “Sorry about that. What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?”

If she’d had trouble sleeping before, it was a foregone conclusion that any hope of it disappeared the moment she got an eyeful of all that bare, bronzed skin painted by silvery moonlight. The mountain-sized man, obviously fresh from a shower, wore his jeans low on his hips and her gaze helplessly focused in on the lines of his washboard abs.

Gina’s fingers twitched and her mouth went dry.

She’d seen plenty of gorgeous men in her thirty years but never anyone remotely resembling this guy. He was hard and ripped like a linebacker and more man than she’d ever seen before.  Drops of water clung to his dark hair and dotted his naked chest.  Gina’s libido went on red hot alert. She licked her lips then mentally gave herself a shake when she saw him frown.

“I’m sorry. I’ll just go in. Don’t want to bother you,” he said and Gina realized she’d, no doubt, made him uncomfortable with all that dumb staring.

Hoping to make amends, Gina took a step forward and forced a smile. “No, no, don’t leave. You just startled me.” She shrugged. “I think I’m just a little restless tonight.”

Mitch nodded and the tension seemed to leave his shoulders as he leaned against the stone wall. He watched her quietly. “I can understand that. You’re in a new place with strange people. I get it. Actually, I’m the same. Never could get a fair night’s sleep in a hotel.”

Gina rolled her eyes. “Believe me, this is so much nicer than the no-tell motels I’ve stayed in lately. This is like a little piece of heaven but it’ll take a little while to settle in here.” Needing something to distract her from the sight of Mitch McBride in all his half-naked glory, she turned to face the countryside. “It’s beautiful here.”

“It is.” His voice was low, almost hypnotic and she felt him move closer, his body heat apparent despite the warmth of the night. He reached out and tucked a loose bit of her dark hair behind her ears and Gina looked at him. His green eyes took in the lines of her face and paused only briefly on her lips. A thick tension hovered between them but then he stepped back. “You fixed a nice dinner tonight. Why didn’t you eat with us?”

“I’m an employee. It’s not proper.”

“Fuck proper. We aren’t formal people and there’s no need for you to eat all by yourself. Dawson and I want to get to know you. Can’t speak for my brother, but hell, I don’t bite.” He grinned suddenly, his teeth flashing white against the darkness. “At least not too hard.”

Laughter burst free, surprising and spontaneous . “You’re a bad man.”

“I
can
be.” He moved another increment closer and a shiver of excitement raced over her flesh, down her bare arms and legs and straight to her belly. Impulsively, needing to put space between him and what could be a huge mistake, she stepped back.

“Um.”

Mitch back away and shook his head. “I’m sorry. Not a good thing to encroach on your personal space.”

She paused. “It’s okay. Really. I’m just a little jumpy these days.”

“Care to tell me why?”

“I’d rather not, if you don’t mind.” She sucked a deep, cleansing breath into her lungs and looked straight into his eyes. “Let’s just say that I’m very happy to be here, I’ll enjoy my time, and then, I’ll move on down the road. I can’t even begin to think of this place as permanent with all the craziness in my life but I
am
relieved that I have a place to land for a while.”

“It’s a shame you can’t stay, little yankee, and I’m man enough to admit you are damn sure the most interesting woman I’ve met in a long time.”