Tanna Barker is a world champion barrel racer. But her personal life has been less of a success, and she’s feeling adrift. After her mother’s unexpected death, her father has remarried, and sold the Texas ranch she called home. Now a rodeo injury has left the restless spitfire holed up in Muddy Gap, unsure what her next move should be.
Until she meets her match in a wild, wild cowboy
Veterinarian August Fletcher has always put his job first. He’s never found a woman who could handle his on-the-road lifestyle. But when sassy, sexy Tanna blows into town, he finally finds the woman of his fantasies. And there’s something between them, but she claims she’s been burned by love ’em and leave ’em road dogs before. How can Fletch prove that he’s in it for the long haul, and that their sizzling relationship is better than winning any rodeo medal? It’ll take some sweet persuasion to convince Tanna that Muddy Gap is where she belongs.
Here’s an excerpt for you…
He rested his massive shoulders against the back of the booth. “So, what’s your name besides Hot Trouble?”
Tanna shook her head. “How about if we keep it simple and don’t exchange names?”
He didn’t even blink. “Because you’d probably give me a fake one anyway.”
“Yep. I see this ain’t your first go-round in this type of rodeo either, cowboy.”
“I’m good with no names—I like ‘sugar twang’ better anyway—but there are a couple of basic questions I’ve gotta ask first.”
“Shoot.”
The twinkle vanished from his eyes. “You’re not married and out on the town looking for one night with a stranger to cure your marital boredom?”
“No sir. I don’t cheat. So no boyfriend either.” She pointed with her beer bottle. “Back atcha.”
“No significant other in my life. Or in my bed on a regular basis.”
“That clears that up. Next question.”
His eyes flicked to the bandage on her forehead. “What happened there?”
“Nothin’. It’s a prop to garner sympathy, start conversations and con men into buying me drinks.”
That seemed to amuse him rather than annoy him. “What brings you to Rawlins, Wyoming?”
“Just passing through on my way to start a new job.” Not exactly a lie. “What about you?”
“I’m on the road a lot too.” He let his bottle dangle a couple of inches above the table and swung it like a pendulum. “You’re not really on the run from an ex?”
Tanna snickered. “Nope. I’m just killing time in a honky-tonk before I move on.”
“So you’re not looking for Mr. Right?”
“More like looking for Mr. Right Now.”
His handsome face remained skeptical.
“Let’s cut to the chase. I like sex. There isn’t a substitute for the way naked flesh feels sliding together in the heat of passion. There isn’t a substitute for a long, wet kiss. There isn’t a substitute for a heart-pounding, blood-pulsing orgasm. There isn’t a substitute for sex. Period. I’m not supposed to admit I get antsy and snappish if I go too long without it. I’m not supposed to admit that satisfying the craving for intimate physical contact is all I want. I don’t want messy emotional entanglements. Just. Hot. Sex.”
He leaned forward and took her hand, staring deeply into her eyes. “I think I love you.”
She laughed.
“In all seriousness, it’s refreshing that you’re so up front about what you want.”
“Or what I don’t want.” Tanna swallowed a mouthful of beer. “So, you interested in taking me for a tumble?”
“Oh yeah.” His smile turned decidedly predatory. “But I’m not gonna shake your hand like this is a business arrangement.” He lifted their joined hands and kissed the inside of her forearm, from her wrist to the crook of her elbow. “I’m gonna seduce you.”
******************************************************
Whoa! Hot right?!?
About the Author:
When USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James isn’t squirreled away behind her laptop in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, she can be found reading, shootin’ her .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour, and running a kids’ taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles. Visit her online at www.loreleijames.com, www.facebook.com/lorelei-james, and www.twitter.com/loreleijames.
Tamie Xo
Filed under: Book News, Excerpt, Romance Tagged: Book news, Excerpt, Hot Cowboys, Lorelei James, Romance, Turn and Burn
