For Love's Sake Only (6 page)

“Is there a problem?”

“You could say that.” Ty pressed a hand against the window and leaned in close to her.

“I’m really disappointed in you, Charlotte.”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Charlotte returned Ty’s glare with one of her own.

“Sorry, cowboy, I gave it my best shot. If last night didn’t do it for you, I don’t know what will.”

“Last night was wonderful, as you well know. It’s your morning-after attitude that needs some adjusting.”

“Lucky for you, you won’t have to worry about it any longer.” Ducking under his arm, Charlotte walked a few steps away. She needed to clear her head, and fast.

“Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte,” Ty tsked, walking up behind her. Brushing gently past her, he took off his hat and dropped it down on the table, casually sitting down next to it. “I never took you for a coward.”

It was one thing for Charlotte to call herself a coward, but quite another thing for Ty to do it -- no matter how right he was. Walking around him, Charlotte grabbed her briefcase off the table. “This meeting is over.”

40 Lena Matthews

Reaching out, Ty grabbed her arm and halted her exit, ruining her perfect parting line in the process. Bastard.

“Far from it, darlin’.”

“Listen, cowboy ...”

“No, you listen. I’ve met some stubborn women in my time, but you, my dear, take the cake. Leaving like you did, Charlotte, was cowardly and low.”

“You’re just mad because I left before you had the opportunity to.” That didn’t even make sense to her, but it was better than saying, I’m scared.

Ty released her arm and stood back up. “Is that what you really think?”

“Look, I’m sorry if I broke some morning-after courtesy. I figured it would be easier all the way around if I just left when I did.”

“Easier for whom?”

Finally, the million-dollar question. “For both of us. I just don’t want to make this into a big deal. We had a good time last night.”

A soft smile passed across his face, causing Charlotte’s heart to kick it up a notch. “Just good?”

“Okay,” she admitted, with a smile of her own. Who was she kidding anyway? “A very good time, but that’s all it was.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

Was he crazy? Hell, was she? Because Charlotte was more than tempted. “Ty, we’re from two completely different worlds.”

Chuckling, Ty brushed his callused hand against her cheek. “Last time I checked, Charlotte, Los Angeles was still on Earth.”

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“Are you being obtuse on purpose?” Why couldn’t he have been like every other man on God’s green earth, and be happy that she’d snuck out? Without even thinking, Charlotte leaned her head into his hand. It felt so right. “You know what I’m saying.”

“I hear everything you’re saying. I just don’t buy it.”

“You don’t have to. All that matters is that I do.” She was going to remain firm on this.

He was so capable of breaking her heart. After one night she was already in pieces because of this man.

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why?”

“I mean, why are you trying so hard to push me away?” There was something very, very dangerous about this man. If he wanted, Ty could have her eating out of his hand, and Charlotte was afraid he knew it. “It was a one-night stand.”

“It doesn’t have to be. Last night was one of the best nights of my life. Sex aside, I really like you, Charlotte.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough.”

Rolling her eyes, she stepped away from his caress. “Like what?”

“Like I want more.”

Ty watched the doubt flitter across Charlotte’s face, partially frustrated and partially amused. She was as stubborn as she was beautiful, and that was really saying a lot. And she was hell-bent on driving him insane.

“This will never work,” she repeated, as if he didn’t understand her the other times she said it. He understood her, all right, and part of him, be it ever so small, even agreed. But just 42 Lena Matthews

being in the same room with her again was causing his gut to clench. Charlotte had a pull over him, and she was worth it.

“How do you know?”

“Because ...”

“Not good enough,” Ty interrupted. He had never had to beg a woman in his life, and he wasn’t going to start now, but he’d be damned if he let her walk out of his life without even giving them a chance.

“What do you want from me?” Charlotte’s fear was as apparent as her need.

Everything, but Ty knew if he said that, she would hightail it out of the room so fast his head would spin. “Come with me. Now.”

“Where?”

“To my home. Give me tonight.”

“I’m leaving for home tomorrow.”

“That’s tomorrow. I want tonight.”

Charlotte eyed him warily, as if she still didn’t quite trust him. She was like a skittish mare, in need of a firm yet tender touch, and Ty was just the man to provide both.

“This is crazy.”

“I’m willing to concede that,” he admitted with grin. Despite how persistent he was being, Ty knew that this was fast. Hell, he was even amazed at the speed in which he was going, but he couldn’t help himself. Call it strange, call it fate, call it insanity, Charlotte was the one for him.

“I have to leave in the morning.” Charlotte repeated, stressing the word morning.

Holding out his hand to her, Ty asked, “Is that a yes?” Sighing, Charlotte placed her hand in his. “Yes.”

* * * * *

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After two phone calls and a quick meeting with her boss, Charlotte was strapped in his truck and on the way to his ranch. Normally Ty would have stayed to the very end of the rodeo, but for once, he had his own bucking beauty to ride.

They had to make another quick stop at her hotel room, where he insisted she check out. There was no way in the world he was going to let her go back there tonight, especially if this was to be their last night together. He insisted that she leave her car, but only because he didn’t want her to sneak off in the dead of night. Ty wasn’t going to put anything past Charlotte.

Ty’s spread had always been his pride and joy. The Dollar Ranch had been in his family for three generations, and if God was willing, it would be in his family for another three to come. He loved his land and he wanted Charlotte to love it, too.

Pulling up in front of his home, Ty hopped out of the truck and walked around to open the door for Charlotte. Smiling her thanks, Charlotte took his hand and stepped out.

Stepping away from the truck, Charlotte stared at her surroundings with a look of amazement and awe on her face. “Ty, it’s lovely.”

“Thank you.” Ty had always thought so, but he was probably biased. The Dollar was set back on one hundred and fifty of the best acres God had ever created. His brick house was flanked by several outbuildings, and pastures stretched as far as the eye could see. It was his home and he loved it.

“You’re a lucky man to have all this.” Turning around in a semi-circle, Charlotte put her hands up to her eyes, framing them from the sun’s fading rays.

“I’ve always thought so.” Grabbing her bag from the back of the truck, Ty placed his hand on the small of her back, and led Charlotte up the walk to his home.

Ida, his housekeeper, met them at the door with a smile on her face. “I see we’re having company,” she said as she opened the door for them.

“That we are, Ida, I’d like to introduce you to Charlotte.

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The older lady stuck out her hand to Charlotte, with a warm welcoming smile on her face. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you as well.” Charlotte’s voice held a hint of surprise in it, as if she was shocked by the warm welcome.

“Shall I ready the guest room?”

“No,” Ty said, ignoring the glare Charlotte sent him. “She’ll be staying in my room.”

“Very well,” Ida replied, with a twinkle in her eyes. She might have been from a different generation, but she was familiar with Ty’s ways.

Charlotte’s fuse was a lot longer than Ty gave her credit for. She actually lasted until Ida left the room before she turned on him. “I can’t believe you said that.”

“Said what?” Ty asked, setting her bag down by the stairs.

“That I’d be staying in your room. She’s going to think ...”

“... That I’m a very lucky man,” Ty interrupted, placing his finger against her full lips.

“We don’t stand on ceremony around here. Ida and her husband, Sly, who you’ll meet later, have been on this land longer than I’ve been alive. They’re not the judging type.”

“Still ...”

“Still what?” Pulling her into his arms, Ty smiled down into her upturned face.

“Something tells me you’re just looking for a fight.”

“What if I am?”

The challenge in her smile almost made him laugh out loud. Charlotte was a handful, and he loved it. “Then I’m just the man for it.”

“Ty,” Ida said, coming back into the hall. “Mr. Zellerman called. He wants you to call him back ASAP.”

“Damn, honey, I have to take this call.”

“I can show her to your room, while you make your call.” Spurs & Mistletoe: For Love’s Sake Only

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“Is that okay?” Ty asked, not wanting to put Charlotte on the spot.

Charlotte rolled her eyes at him. “I think I’m capable of being alone in your house for five minutes.”

Ida’s laughter sounded like a roar of approval. She had been known to be quite feisty in her day, as well. “I think I like your lady.”

“Behave,” Ty warned, looking at the two apples of his eye.

“Who are you talking to?” Charlotte asked.

“Both of you.” With a wink, Ty headed down the hall to his office, with the sound of Ida’s laughter in his ear.

By the time he finished his phone call more than five minutes had passed. Following the smell of dinner down the hall, Ty skipped his bedroom in lieu of the kitchen. The mouthwatering smell of pot roast wasn’t the only reason he headed in that direction. Ty could hear Ida and Charlotte’s laughter all the way down the hall. It was a sound that brought a smile to his face, and a warm sensation to his heart.

Ty would have never believed he would have fallen so quickly, but here he was, standing outside his kitchen with a stupid grin on face, all because of Charlotte’s laughter. If the guys could see him now ...

He could hear Ida speaking as he entered the room, “And by the time his father made it over the fence, Ty was chin-deep in mud, squealing like a little pig.” Wincing, Ty wished he had been a few seconds earlier, he might have saved himself some embarrassment. “You’re fired,” he teased, walking all the way into the room.

Ida waved her hand at him. “Well, if you’re going to fire me, then I’m going to have to tell her about the time Sly caught you and little Ann ...” Rounding the island, Ty placed his hands over Ida’s mouth, silencing the laughing woman. “Forget it. You’re rehired and with a raise.” 46 Lena Matthews

Ida winked at Charlotte as she pulled Ty’s hand down from her mouth. “That’s what I thought. Dinner is ready. Let me set you two up, and I’ll take Sly’s and my dinner out to our house.”

“What? No!” Charlotte cried, looking at Ty to intervene. “Please don’t do that on my account.”

“You guys don’t want to be saddled with us old folks.” Charlotte scurried down from her stool and around the counter. “Please join us.” Ida looked to Ty, who nodded his head in agreement. He was a bit shocked that Charlotte insisted, but glad just the same. Ida and Sly were more family than employees, and they had been eating with him since his parents passed away ten years ago. “Just think of all the embarrassing stories you can tell her over dinner.” With a faint blush, Ida conceded, “And what I can’t remember, I’m sure Sly will fill in.”

“Wonderful.” Charlotte turned to look up at Ty with a huge smile she couldn’t hold back any longer. Bending forward, Ty took her sweet lips under his, much to Ida’s amusement and Charlotte’s embarrassment.

Sitting out on the porch later that evening, Ty held Charlotte in his arms as they rocked on the swing.

“It’s so very peaceful out here. I can see why you love it. And Ida and Sly have to be two of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

“They really like you.” Leaning down, Ty kissed the top of Charlotte’s head, feeling happier and more content than he had felt in awhile.

“You know this is never going to work.” Charlotte voice broke the comfortable silence.

“It already is.”

Her soft laughter made him smile. “It doesn’t work because you say it does. We have too many differences to make this work.”

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“But we also have something more.” Ty tilted her chin up so they were looking eye to eye. “Tell me you don’t feel it.”

“I feel it, all right,” she teased, running her hand up his thigh. “But I’m still going to drive home tomorrow.”

“And maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll give me another day.” And another. And another.

“It was just a one-night stand.”

“Then why are you still here?” Ty asked, loving the way her brown eyes narrowed at the corners. She was going to fight this all the way.

“Because,” she replied stubbornly, looking back out into the distance.

Ignoring her lack of reason, Ty pushed off the ground with his foot, sending the swing rocking again. “That’s what I thought. Now sit back and enjoy the view.”

“Sit back.” Charlotte’s eyebrows drew together. “Did I miss the part where you became the boss of me?”

Chuckling, Ty pulled Charlotte over onto his lap until she was straddling him. His cock hardened under his jeans instantly at the feel of her on top of him. “You must have, darlin’, but let me refresh your memory.”

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Chapter Five

“I’m leaving today, and I mean it, Ty,” Charlotte warned, wagging her butter-coated toast at him.

“Sure you are,” he teased. Grabbing her hand, he brought the toast to his mouth and took a bite. “That’s what you said two days ago.”

“I know, but I really mean it this time.” Like she’d meant it the other dozen times she’d said it over the last week. “I really have to get back to the office. If Nathan wasn’t so far gone himself, he’d have fired me days ago.”