The Cowboy and the Angel (23 page)

Apprehension immediately flooded her eyes at his serious tone, and he hated himself for causing the reaction when she’d been so carefree only moments ago. He put his hands on either side of her waist, his fingers splaying most of the way around, and pulled her toward him.

“What? What happened?” Her eyes sought his, worry darkening them.

“I need you to tell me the truth. What’s going on with Joe?”

She frowned and looked away from him. “Joe? That’s what you want to know about? I’ve known him since I was a kid. We went to college together.” She bit her lower lip before continuing. “We both studied communications, and he became my boss. Why?”

“That’s it?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure what you want to hear.”

Derek stared down at her, sure that she wasn’t telling him the entire story. Joe was far too possessive to be nothing more than an “old friend.” She was hiding something, but before he could push her the man in line behind them nudged Derek, letting him know the line was moving.

Derek tabled the conversation with Angela and introduced himself to the woman taking tickets, explaining that they needed twenty-three plates and pointed toward the table where the others waited, looking hungry and pathetic.

“I’ll get some help and bring them all over there,” she assured him as she counted out the dinner tickets for the entire crew, slipping them into her cash box.

“We’ll help,” Angela offered.

“Honey,” the woman scolded sweetly, patting her shoulder, “you’ll spill all over the front of that pretty dress.”

“Pshh.” Angela blew her lips and waved the woman off. “I’ll just borrow one of those aprons.” She reached for an apron at the top of a small stack set aside for the workers. “Is that okay?”

“Of course it is, dear!” the woman exclaimed. “But you don’t have to do this. We can bring it to you. You’ve been busy all day.”

Angela tossed an apron to Derek. “Don’t just stand there, cowboy. We have twenty plates to get over to your starving crew before they gnaw their arms off.” She shook her head at him. “You don’t want me to report the way you abuse your crew, do you?” she teased. Derek was finding it hard not to laugh at the humor in her voice. This was not the same woman who showed up trying to flirt her way to an interview less than a week ago. That woman hadn’t thought about anyone but herself, and she certainly wouldn’t have gotten dirty serving “manure jockeys.”

Watching her now, her eyes lit with playfulness and excitement, he was having difficulty reconciling the hard-hitting reporter with his Angel. The fact she could switch roles so quickly made him second-guess his judgment more than anything else had. He couldn’t allow himself to be so hung up on a woman that he couldn’t recognize if he was being played for a fool.

As Angela approached the table with two plates, Sydney jumped up and took them from her, passing them to the cowboys seated at the far end. Angela hurried back to the barbecue and grabbed more, not stopping until everyone had a plate in front of them. Little beads of sweat glistened at her temples as the sun began its descent and a breeze caressed her face, lifting strands of her hair gently. He followed her back to the barbecue one last time and took the apron from her hands, laying it on one of the nearby tables.

“What’s gotten into you?” He brushed a tendril of hair back from where it stuck on her face. “Slow down.”

“I’m having fun, Mr. Chandler, for the first time in a very long time.” Her face was flushed from the warm evening and the exertion, but her eyes gleamed with elation.

One of the crew passed them on his way to get a drink, saying, “Thanks, Angie.”

When did everyone start calling her that?

She gave him a bright smile. “You’re welcome.”

“Better watch out, boss, or one of us is going to steal her away,” the crewman warned. Angela laughed, but Derek glared at him. The cowboy held up his hands. “I’m just kidding,” he said as he hurried back to the table.

Her laugher died when she saw his expression. He wasn’t usually the jealous type, but this woman seemed to bring out traits he hadn’t realized he possessed. His family might come first, but he wasn’t about to give her up without a fight—not to one of his crew or to Joe.

Derek slid his arm around her waist and pulled her to him, feeling her breasts against his chest. Desire pulsed through him as steady as his heartbeat, and he moved her into the shadows, where they were hidden from sight. He covered her mouth with his, sliding his fingers into her hair. His kiss was meant to brand her, making sure she realized what they had was special, but it backfired on him. Yearning raged through him like a wildfire. Derek groaned deep in his throat, his tongue plunging into her sweetness, tasting her. The scent of her drove him mad. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders, pulling him down to her, and knowing she shared his longing was enough to still the doubts circling his mind. Derek’s lips found her neck and she arched against him with a soft whimper of delight. He needed to get control of his rebellious body, and she was making it incredibly difficult. His lips stilled and he sighed against her neck.

“I’m debating dragging you down to one of those trailers without letting you eat dinner.” He lifted his head to look at her.

Angela’s eyes were dark with desire, glittering like jewels, and she gave him a coy smile. “I’m not really hungry anyway.”

Derek groaned and closed his eyes. “You’re killing me. You know that, right?”

She laughed softly and kissed his jaw. “Actually, I’m teasing. I’m starving.”

He shook his head and brushed her hair back from her temple. “Don’t take too long to eat. I’m kinda looking forward to having you in my arms tonight.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really? You’re awfully confident, aren’t you, cowboy?”

“Dancing,” he clarified. “After the barbecue, the band will . . .”

Derek noticed the man approaching the table where Robert and Mike were chatting. He narrowed his eyes, trying to place where he knew him from, when he saw the camera bag over his shoulder. Joe.

“Shit.” He saw Robert point toward where he and Angela stood together. “What are they doing here tonight?”

Confusion marred her brow as Angela slipped out of his arms. “Who?”

Derek put his hands at her shoulders and spun her to face the table. “The news crew.”

She looked back at him. “They’re early. Joe told me they were coming in the morning. I . . .”

Derek didn’t wait for an explanation. Spinning on his heel, he moved to leave. Angela grasped his forearm. “Derek, I have no idea why they’re here now.”

He left her standing in the shadow of the trees, staring after him, and stormed back to where the news crew was talking with Mike.

“Thought you were coming tomorrow?” Derek didn’t bother to hide his animosity as Joe met him partway.

Joe shrugged. “I told Angela. I assumed she let you know.”

Derek glanced back at her, still standing by the tree, looking slightly dazed. “Did you? Must have slipped her mind.”

“Oh, I’m certain you’ve kept her busy with plenty that might cause her mind to be slippery.” Joe glared at Derek, making him wonder again at their relationship. “Don’t worry, cowboy. She’s a pro. She’s probably already finished the story and has it all ready for me. Now she’s just enjoying the spoils of her victory.”

“Excuse me?”

“You really think you’re the first guy she’s used to get a story? Come on, you’ve got to realize you’re not exactly her type, and we all know reporters tend to use whatever means necessary.” Joe laughed quietly and glanced at Angela, who was now heading toward them. “I remember this one politician she seduced. She got him on a story of falsifying documents. You’re not the first guy to fall for her, but you would be the first one dumb enough to have her move in and give her full access. I knew cowboys were known for their brawn, but you must have no brains at all.”

A
NGELA STARED AFTER
Derek, wondering what had just happened. One minute, they were having a good time, sharing a kiss—and that kiss! She still felt her entire body tingling, as if she had touched an open current and still had electricity running through her veins. The next minute, he was storming away to face off with Joe. She looked toward the table, where Skip sat with her father while Joe made a beeline for Derek.

“What the hell?” she muttered, forcing her feet to catch up to the two men. Joe glanced her way as she reached them.

“Don’t worry, we’ll stay out of your way, maybe just film a few things here and there tonight for our B-roll. You know, background footage,” he explained condescendingly.

“Like hell.” Derek growled, his fists clenching at his sides. “You can come back in the morning.”

“Joe, what are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow.” Why didn’t he call her before coming? She certainly wasn’t camera ready. She looked at Skip’s camera bag on the table. There weren’t any lights. He couldn’t be getting any video tonight without lighting. None of this was making sense.

Joe waved her off. “I told you we were coming on the phone, remember? This way we can get every bit of tomorrow’s rodeo, from sunup to sundown.”

“There’s nowhere for you to sleep,” Derek interrupted.

She looked from him to Joe. The two men stood facing one another, and she was sure one of them was about to throw a punch any second. She wasn’t sure why they disliked each other so much since they’d met only once, but the tension between them was palpable.

Joe eyed Derek and smiled confidently. “We’ll manage. We’ve done it plenty of times before. We don’t need your charity.” He looked at Angela expectantly. “Unless there’s no story?”

“It’s not the story I originally thought we’d have.” She stalled, looking from Joe to Derek. With his arms crossed and his eyes darkened with fury, Derek’s entire demeanor let her know their evening had come to an abrupt end.

“Good, then let’s pack up and head home. We’ll figure out something else and get you back on the air.” Joe reached for her arm and pulled her toward him. “Chalk this up to a few wasted vacation days.” He smirked at Derek.

Angela slipped her arm from Joe’s grasp, and Derek took a step toward him. There was far too much testosterone in too small an area.

“No, I’m not going anywhere yet.”

Joe’s brows shot to his hairline in disbelief. “If there’s no story, why are we wasting any more time here?”

“Wait a minute.” Sydney rose from the table while heads spun toward her. “Angela told me about her new idea. I think it’s even better than animal cruelty. Rodeo: America’s Most Dangerous Sport. It would have people glued to their seats and show how dangerous rodeo really is.” She laughed and reached for Angela’s hand. “It’ll make Shark Week look like child’s play.”

Mike’s face brightened. “I love it! You can interview the cowboys and see why they do it, what motivates them.” He smiled at Joe.

Angela could have kissed Sydney. It was a brilliant idea. People loved tuning in to see blood, guts, and gore. Rodeo events certainly fit that description, providing more danger to the cowboy than any of the animals. She looked to Derek, hoping he would give her an indication of his thoughts, but he only narrowed his dark eyes and crossed his arms over his massive chest, looking impervious. His jaw clenched and she could just make out the pulse in his temple.

Mike ignored Derek and concentrated on Skip and Joe. “You are both welcome to come stay at the ranch. Jen and Clay have an extra room.” He sounded like a kid planning a sleepover. “As for tonight, you can stay in our trailer. Derek and Scott can sleep on the couch in yours, right?” He looked at Sydney.

She returned his grin. “We’ll figure something out.”

Joe glared at Derek before turning his dark gaze on Angela. “Come here,” he ordered, pulling her aside, out of earshot. “Is this the story you want to do? You really think
this
is going to get you noticed by another station?”

“It’s a great idea, Joe. It’s worth taking the chance.”

“No, it’s not. You’re already on thin ice at the station. They are tired of you rocking the boat, Gigi. If you stick with this nonsense and the story doesn’t get ratings, the station is going to let you go. You realize that, right?”

Angela took a deep breath, trying to think rationally. She looked over at her father, who was seated beside Mike. For the first time in years he looked content, and so far the change in scenery and companionship had kept him out of trouble, stirring a hope in her she’d never felt before. It wasn’t the first time Joe had issued the warning, but it was the first time she’d ever been this close to putting their past behind them. But if this story didn’t pan out and she had to return to their apartment, or worse, if she got fired . . . Angela didn’t even want to consider that alternative.

Sydney and Mike looked at her expectantly. They’d gone out on a limb for her, something no one but her mother had ever done for her. Even Scott had showed her more kindness and support than Joe. She couldn’t understand why he was balking at this story. It was far better for her career than the mall openings and puff pieces she’d been doing for the past two years. She frowned, looking at Derek, realizing he was the reason Joe was pushing her to drop the story.

Joe followed her gaze. “What’s going on with the two of you?”

“Nothing,” she assured him, tearing her eyes away from Derek. Glaring at her and Joe, Derek looked callous and uncompromising; the tender man she’d been kissing only moments before was gone.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Joe, you gave me a two weeks to bring back a killer story. The station owners agreed to that.”

“You know I can’t stay at their ranch or do several of these.” He waved his arm at the crowd of people waiting for the band to start playing. “I have a station to run, and other reporters who are bringing me regular stories that go on the air every day.” He glanced back at Derek and reached for her hand, drawing her into an awkward embrace. “It’s not the story I’m worried about. I’m worried about you getting your heart broken by some redneck cowboy with a girl waiting for him at every rodeo. He probably has a few here tonight.”