Rogue Cowboy
Bad Boys of the Rodeo
by Sinclair Jayne
Book Blurb:
She knows he’s wrong. He’s convinced he’s right. He’ll prove it with a kiss that reignites their past.
Texas Cowboy and former Special Forces soldier Cole Jameson isn’t just in Marietta for the Copper Mountain Rodeo to close a family business deal. He’s there to win the heart of the cowgirl he married in secret before deploying. He wanted to keep her safe and give her time to follow her dreams. But he always intended to return and make their marriage sizzle.
Horse Trainer Riley Telford always knew her hero, her fantasy Mr. Perfect, and savior would return and politely demand his freedom. She’ll graciously let him go because she can’t be the wife he deserves. Riley’s miles away from the vibrant, adventurous girl he fell in love with during a whirlwind weekend. But Cole’s confidence, relentless charm and soul-searing kisses fill her with a dangerous longing and a desperate hope.
It was a marriage of convenience, but as the rodeo competition races to the end, can Cole convince Riley their marriage can shine, or will her doubts and fears forever keep them apart?
Excerpt:
“There’s no us,” Riley hissed.
“We’re married. That’s a hell of an us,” Cole countered. And he wasn’t skulking away, especially when Riley was holding on to her pain like it was a damn security blankie.
“We’re not really married,” she insisted, paling. “You only married me because there was a slim chance of a child.”
She sounded so sure. And Cole had been in protector mode, but after, when he’d had some time and distance, he didn’t regret his decision. Not ever. Would it help to tell her? Unlikely. He felt like he was picking his way to a mine field to find a safe position to set up for a mission.
“You didn’t want to marry me.” She nodded her head, dashing away her tears and pulling her feet out of the river and crossing her legs.
“I don’t say or do things I don’t mean.”
She looked at him like he was crazy. Yeah. Should have kept his mouth shut, but better to pull off all the Band-Aids. They could heal from here.
“I don’t even have a ring,” she said like that meant something. Maybe it did.
“You want a ring?” He had one. His mother’s. He’d not known if that would have creeped her out considering, so he’d never picked it up on one of his visits home.
“No,” she said, her voice leaked frustration. “Because we’re not really married.”
“We are. That’s why I’m at the rodeo. Courting.”
“Why now?” She still hadn’t taken a bite of her food, and his sharp gaze noticed she was thinner now than she had been as a teen. Ranching was hard work, but he was beginning to doubt she was taking care of herself.
Should have come sooner.
“You were young. In a tough spot. We made choices under pressure. I wanted to give you time to recover and figure out what you wanted from life, and I owed the government another four years that turned into five and then another six months.”
It had seemed double that.
“You stayed away from me for almost six years because of logistics?”
She sounded offended, and that gave him hope.
“I keep my word, Riley. To my family. To my government. To you.”
“I’m not not noticing that I was third on that list.”
He laughed and pushed the last bite of the bagel sandwich into his mouth, savoring the taste.
“You’re my wife. I suppose I should bump you up to the top of the list.”
She looked adorable, as if her face couldn’t figure out what to do—go with frustration or humor.
“I told you not to use that word.”
“I made a vow.”
“Shshshsh. Button it. I told you don’t use the M word or the W word and definitely not the V word.”
Riley looked around wildly as if someone was going to jump out of the bushes and gotcha them but considering how close they were to the downtown and the fairgrounds, it was surprisingly peaceful with the sound of the water and birdsong mixing with the wind through the grasses and trees along the creek that ran on the backside of the courthouse and Crawford Park. In the distance he heard a horse whinny and another answer.
He could only push her so far so fast.
“That’s a lot of letters,” he said thoughtfully. “Lotta words to remember to not say. Vow? Married? Wife?” He kept his face expressionless, maybe just a hint of innocence, just to rile her a bit to see that flash of fire.
“I know you’re trying to get a rise outta me. But I’m serious. Those words are off the list. Forbidden. I mean it. Zip it.”
She even did a zipper movement across her lips that was adorable, and Cole felt everything in him ease. They were not as far apart as he’d imagined. And she needed him. He hadn’t expected that. He should probably feel bad that he wanted her to need him. He’d never be the most advanced, self-actualized man. But he’d take the narrow opening and bust through.
“We’re married,” he pushed his point. “Not saying the word doesn’t make it not true.”
“We’re not really the M word.” She scowled, dipped her feet in the river again, to get the dust off from the rock, and waved her feet in the air, scattering luminescent drops that sparkled in the sun. He took her socks out of her boot, unrolled them.
“The M word,” he mused. “Muscular. Munching. Marvelous.”
“You are such a comedian,” she said. “I never saw this side of you before.”
They’d had so little time. And initially, she’d been off-limits—too young and his Special Forces teammate’s sister. Then she been hurt, and he’d been determined to protect and avenge her and stay out of prison. Not that he’d tell her any of that.
“My socks.” She held out her hand.
“Mmmmmm,” he agreed. “More M words. Mandatory. Mountain. Mystify.” He caught both of her feet in one hand. Even her feet were beautiful. Delicate. He took out another bandana from his pocket and dabbed her feet dry while she stared at him with huge eyes. He rolled on one sock and then the other.
“Mission accomplished.”
He held out a hand, pleased when she grabbed on, and he pulled them both to standing.
“Cole,” she said urgently. “You deserve your freedom.” Her voice was choked. “We barely knew each other, and then I screwed it all up.”