Thunder Canyon Homecoming / A Thunder Canyon Christmas

Corey snapped his phone shut when Erin came back with her jacket and boots.

“Everything’s arranged,” he told her.

“What is everything?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“I don’t like surprises,” she warned, following him out the door.

“Everyone likes surprises,” he insisted.

She shook her head as she turned her key in the lock, engaging the deadbolt.

He slid an arm across her shoulders and steered her toward his truck. “What happened, darlin’? Were you traumatized by a clown jumping out of your cake on your fifth birthday?”

“Nothing so dramatic. I just like to have a plan, and I don’t like when things interfere with my plans.”

He opened the passenger-side door for her. “Didn’t John Lennon say something about life being what happens while you’re making other plans?”

“Maybe that worked for him,” she acknowledged, “but it’s a strange philosophy for a management consultant.”

“It’s not my business philosophy,” he told her. “But when I’m out of the office, I don’t like being shackled by rules and schedules.”

She stepped up into the truck, obviously thinking about his response. He closed her door, then went around to the driver’s side.

“My aunt died,” she finally said.

He paused in the act of inserting the key into the ignition. “Today? Is that why you called into work?”

She shook her head. “No. A few months ago.” She folded her hands, staring down at the fingers linked together in her lap. “You asked why I don’t like surprises. Her death was a surprise. And she gave me some information just before she passed that was…unexpected. I had so many questions that I never got to ask her.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know how hard it is to lose someone out of the blue, feeling as if you’d left something unresolved.”

She looked at him, as if surprised by his response. “Who did you lose?”

“My father.”

“I didn’t realize—” She frowned. “I should have. When you introduced your mother and her husband, I just assumed your parents were divorced.”

He shook his head. “My dad died in an explosion on an oil rig when I was eight. The last time I saw him, before he went to work that day, he swatted my butt for talking back to my mother. When he walked out the door, I was happy to see him go.”

She touched a hand to his arm, and when she spoke, her voice was gentle. “You were eight,” she reminded him.

“I know. I got over the guilt a long time ago but only after I’d carried it around for a lot of years first.” He frowned.

Her hand dropped away. “What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking that it’s mighty easy to talk to you.”

“It is?”

“I haven’t ever told anyone that story. Not anyone outside of the family, anyway.”

“Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone who isn’t close to a situation.”

He turned into the long, winding drive that led to the Hopping H Ranch. “And sometimes a man just doesn’t have the sense to hold his tongue around a beautiful woman.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I might be a California girl, but I’ve heard plenty of stories about you smooth-talking cowboys to know that I’d be a fool to trust even half of the words that slide off of that glib tongue.”

He pressed a hand to his heart as he pulled into a vacant parking spot. “Now you’ve wounded me.”

The look of patent disbelief that she aimed in his direction changed to something more akin to wariness when she realized where he’d brought her.

Chapter Four

“This is Melanie and Russ’s ranch.”

Though it wasn’t a question, Corey nodded anyway.

“What are we doing here?”

“I would have thought that was obvious.” He got out of the truck and came around to her side.

This time Erin hadn’t jumped out ahead of him. In fact, she didn’t look like she had any intention of getting out at all. She hadn’t even unfastened her seatbelt, so he reached across to release the clasp for her.

“This isn’t a good idea,” she said.

“Why not?”

“Because I already missed work today. I don’t want to miss tomorrow, too, because I’m in a body cast in the hospital.”

“You can’t ride?” He deliberately infused his tone with both surprise and disbelief and a hint of challenge.

“Of course, I can ride,” she said, then added, “waves.”

“Waves?”

“I grew up on the coast, not in cowboy country,” she reminded him.

The mention of surfing had distracted him with thoughts of Erin clad in a skimpy little bikini, her hair slicked back, her skin wet and glistening as she balanced on a longboard. He knew it was more likely that she wore a wetsuit and figured she’d probably look just as enticing in a full bodysuit of neoprene that hugged her feminine curves, but a man was entitled to his fantasies and Erin in a bikini was definitely one of his. Peeling the little scraps of fabric from her damp skin was another.

“Well, you’re in cowboy country now,” he said, forcing the all-too tempting images from his mind.

“I’m aware of that,” she said, just as Russ came out of the barn.

The rancher came over to shake hands with Corey and Erin.

“Thanks for accommodating us,” Corey said.

“Always a pleasure,” Russ assured him.

Erin remained silent, wary.

“I’ve got Lucifer and Jax all saddled up and ready to go, but you just let me know if you need anything else.”

“Will do,” Corey promised.

And Russ disappeared into the barn again.

“Lucifer?”

Corey pointed out the spirited black stallion in a nearby enclosure. “And here—” he guided her to a closer paddock “—is Jax.”

She hesitated a few feet from the fence.

“You’ve never ridden before?” He couldn’t imagine going through life without experiencing the exhilarating freedom of racing over the open fields on the back of a horse.

“No, I have.” Her gaze flickered cautiously toward the horse again. “Twice.”

“When you were a kid?”

She shook her head. “A few weeks ago.”

His lips twitched as he fought a smile. “What happened?”

“Haley convinced me that I couldn’t live in Montana if I didn’t know how to ride, so I decided to take some private lessons.”

“And you had two?”

“I suffered through each one and decided the bruises on my butt were never going to go away if I kept them up.”

Corey shook his head. “You don’t strike me as the type of woman to give up so easily.”

“You don’t know me,” she reminded him.

“I’m working on it.”

“And accepting that something isn’t working doesn’t equal giving up.”

“It sure sounds like giving up to me.”

“If you came here to ride, go ahead,” she said. “Don’t worry about me.”

“And what will you do?”

“I can watch.”

He curved an arm around her shoulders and guided her closer to the docile bay gelding. He whistled softly, and the horse ambled over to the fence.

Erin looked at Jax.

It was an innocuous-sounding name, and the animal seemed well behaved, but he was just so big. Okay, not quite as big as Lucifer, and certainly not anywhere near as menacing as the powerful stallion that was pawing impatiently at the ground and tossing his head from side to side, but still pretty intimidating. But there was something about those big dark eyes that encouraged her to trust that, though he was big and strong enough to toss her around like a rag doll, he wouldn’t.

She started to reach toward the horse, testing herself as much as the animal, then hesitated.

Corey caught her wrist before she could withdraw and guided her hand the rest of the way, until her palm was flat against the horse’s neck. She felt the muscles quiver beneath her touch, and the gelding blew out a quiet breath that sounded distinctly like a sigh of pleasure.

Corey’s hand dropped away, but he remained close while she continued to stroke the animal.

“I think he likes me,” Erin told him.

He smiled. “Of course he likes you. He’d like you even more if you took him out for the run he’s saddled up for.”

Still, she hesitated.

“It’s okay if you’re afraid.”

Her shoulders stiffened. “I’m not afraid.”

His lips curved, just a little, and she knew that she’d fallen straight into his trap. He vaulted easily over the fence, then put one foot in the stirrup and swung himself into the saddle, then he held out his hand to her. “Come on.”

Erin remained rooted where she was. “I thought you were going to ride Lucifer.”

“I am,” he said. “We’re just going to take a walk around the paddock together, until you’re comfortable with Jax.”

Still she hesitated. “You expect me to get up on that horse with you?”

“You won’t fall off,” he promised.

“Won’t we be too heavy for the horse?”

“We’re just going to take a few turns around the paddock. He can handle it.”

Erin remained skeptical.

“Trust me, darlin’, I know what these animals are worth and I wouldn’t do anything to risk harming any of them.”

“Maybe I’m more worried about harm to me,” she told him, but climbed up onto the fence—keeping a wary eye on the horse—and over.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” He smiled. “Not anything that you don’t want to happen, that is.”

It was as much an enticement as a warning. She felt her cheeks flush but chose to ignore the innuendo.

She thought she was going to fall off before she ever managed to get on, but eventually she managed to climb up, straddling the horse’s back behind the saddle.

“Put your arms around me and hold on,” he told her.

She did so, all too aware of his solid warmth and masculine strength. His jacket was unzipped and she could feel the ripple of his muscles beneath the soft fabric of his shirt. Her mouth went dry—although whether it was from fear of the horse or awareness of Corey, she wasn’t certain.

He nudged Jax into motion, and as Erin felt herself starting to slide, she fisted her hands in Corey’s shirt and held on for dear life. He only chuckled. As the horse made its way around the paddock and she realized how easily he was controlling the powerful animal with the hard muscles of his thighs, her grip on the flannel gradually loosened.

Her own muscles felt watery; her limbs were weak. And her heart was pounding so hard inside her chest she was surprised he couldn’t hear it. The rocking motion was somewhat familiar, and the familiarity made her tense. Her butt was definitely going to be sore tomorrow, and the knowledge made her wish that she’d never responded to Corey’s knock on her door. She really did want to learn to ride, but maybe she just wasn’t cut out to be a horsewoman.

“Relax.”

She did and realized that when she stopped trying to anticipate the horse’s movements, she didn’t jolt up and down so much. In fact, she could almost enjoy the steady, easy rhythm. Lulled by this discovery, she closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against Corey’s back, breathing in the heady scent of leather and horse and man.

She felt the familiar stir of desire low in her belly, and a tingling warmth between her thighs. Obviously as her worry lessened, her awareness heightened. With every step the horse took, her breasts brushed against Corey’s back, and she was suddenly aware that her nipples had tightened into hard points that were straining against her bra, aching for much more intimate contact.

She wanted his hands on her, stroking over her bare skin, touching her everywhere.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Ready for more?”

She wondered, for a moment, if she’d said something out loud, but then she realized that he was referring to the horse’s pace, and she nodded.

A nudge of his knees against the horse’s flank and the animal moved from a jog to a canter—if she was remembering the terms correctly—and suddenly every nerve ending in her body was on high alert. She’d never found the experience of being on horseback anything but scary and awkward and painful, but with Corey it was exhilarating and incredible and sensuous.

It had been obvious to Corey that Erin had some apprehension about getting up on a horse again, so riding with her seemed like the perfect way to ease her worries. It had worked with his sister, Rose. When she was little, she’d fallen off the back of her pony and had been terrified to climb back up again. But she’d trusted her big brother, and riding with Corey had given her the courage to overcome her fears.

It didn’t take a minute for Corey to realize that sharing a horse with a grown woman was a very different experience than doing so with his six-year-old sister. And when that woman was soft and sexy and snuggled up behind him, it was sheer torture.

Only for a few trips around the paddock, he promised him self, then she would be ready to handle Jax on her own—or Jax would be ready to handle her. The horse had a gentle nature and was well-trained, both essential qualities for the mount of a novice rider. He didn’t know where Erin had gone for her lessons, but for her to have thrown in the towel after only two sessions, she’d either been given a difficult horse or had a horrible instructor. He was determined not to let that memory prevent her from enjoying the day.

He wanted to share this experience with her, to introduce her to pleasures that no one else ever had. And he wasn’t just thinking about what they could do on horseback.

And while he tried to keep a tight rein on his thoughts, it was next to impossible. He was all too aware of her arms around him, of her soft breasts pressed to his back, rubbing against him. Though he was sure he couldn’t actually feel the hard nubs of her nipples through the layers that separated them, he imagined that he could. He wanted to touch her, all of her. He wanted to strip away her clothes and—

He managed to lasso the runaway fantasy before it took him to the point of no return and, after another torturously slow turn around the paddock, he said, “Let’s see what you can do on your own.”

They headed out at a leisurely gait. Surprisingly, after half an hour in the paddock with Corey and Jax, Erin felt a lot more comfortable on the back of the horse than she had at any time during her two lessons. She had a moment of panic when they headed away from the barn, but Jax was so strong and steady beneath her that it was gone as quickly as it had come.

Lucifer wasn’t nearly as complacent, and though Corey didn’t have any trouble controlling the spirited stallion, it was obvious that the animal was eager to run. His feet danced impatiently and he tossed his head excitedly, but Corey held him in check and continued to keep pace with Erin and Jax.

When they broke through a stand of trees to yet another open field, Erin said, “Why don’t you let him run?”

Corey looked over his shoulder. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“Well, I would appreciate it if you came back.”

He grinned at her dry tone. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I’m sure,” she said. “And I’m guessing that you crave the speed as much as he does.”

He didn’t deny it. “We’ll be back.”

She knew they would. And truthfully, she didn’t mind letting them go. In fact, it was a pleasure to watch them streak across the fields. Horse and rider—two beautiful beings—so closely attuned to one another they moved as if they were one entity. As they raced off into the distance, Erin sighed.

What was she doing? She had no business being here with this man, no reason to think that getting involved with him could end up in anything but heartache. He was from Texas, she was from California, and it was only a coincidence that their paths happened to cross in Montana. She didn’t even know how long he planned to stay in Thunder Canyon—or even how long she did.

But why couldn’t she enjoy his company so long as he was here? For once in her life, why couldn’t she be impulsive and irresponsible and just let things happen?

She heard them returning before she saw them. The thunderous pounding of the stallion’s hooves in the distance made her turn just as they plunged through a copse of towering pines. The horse raced ahead, wild and reckless, and the man on its back looked every bit as dangerous. But it wasn’t fear that made Erin’s heart pound in her chest—it was excitement. Anticipation. Lust.

She wanted him. It was ridiculous to continue to deny it. It was also ridiculous to imagine that she could ever have him for anything more than a very hot, very short-term fling.

And what would be so wrong about that? her clamoring hormones demanded to know.

As he drew nearer, her heart pounded even harder.

What would be wrong, she reminded herself sternly, was that she didn’t even know the man. Aside from the fact that he was Dillon’s brother, she knew almost nothing about him. And she wasn’t in the habit of falling into bed with men she didn’t know.

Corey reined in the horse, reducing his pace to a canter, then a trot and finally slowing him to a walk as they approached Erin and Jax. She turned her mount around and began to head back, but she was less successful in redirecting her thoughts.

“You both look as if you enjoyed that,” Erin said.

“I don’t think there’s anything I love more than exploring the great outdoors on horseback.”

“This is beautiful country,” she agreed.

“The prettiest in the whole world, apart from Texas, of course.”

“Of course,” she agreed drily.

He grinned. “Although I hear the West Coast has some good stuff, too. Like California girls.”

“Are you going to break into song now?”

“I only ever sing in the shower,” he told her, “so if you want to be serenaded—”

“Not necessary,” she assured him.

Corey chuckled.

“So what did you think?” he asked a few minutes later. “Not just of the ranch, but the ride.”

“I think I could learn to like this,” she admitted.

“I knew you would,” he said confidently.

There was that arrogance again—but it definitely suited him.

“You’ve probably been riding since you were little,” she guessed.

“Since I was knee high to a grasshopper, to hear my mama tell the story.”

She made a point of tilting her head way back to look up at him. “I can’t imagine you were ever knee high to a grasshopper.”

“I was,” he surprised her by admitting. “In fact, I was short and scrawny almost all the way through high school. I couldn’t even get a date to my junior prom.”

“And your senior prom?”

He grinned. “Well, that was a different story.”

“I’ll bet.”

“How about you? Did you go to your senior prom?”

She thought back, smiled. “Yes, I did. I went with Thomas Anderson. He was president of the chess club, editor of the yearbook, valedictorian of our graduating class.”

“The first boy you ever slept with?” he prompted.

She shook her head. “No. But he was the first boy to break my heart.”

“Where is he now? Want me to go beat him up?”

She laughed. “That’s not necessary. I got over him a long time ago.”

“Glad to hear that,” he said. “How about more recently?”

“More recently what?”

“Have you been dating anyone in Thunder Canyon?”

“No. And I’m not looking to start, either.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “I’ve been working a lot.”

“You know what they say about all work and no play,” he warned her.

“I don’t play games.”

“Some games are fun, darlin’.”

She smiled at that, but her smile quickly faded. “I was dating someone in San Diego for a while.”

“Did he break your heart, too?”

She shook her head. “But I think I might have bruised his.”

“And you’re still feeling guilty about it,” he guessed.

“Maybe. I don’t know. I didn’t think our relationship was that serious. We hadn’t been dating very long, but he was looking to make a commitment and I wasn’t.”

“Because you’re not ready to settle down? Or because you didn’t want to settle down with him?”

“I just didn’t want to settle,” she said and winced when she realized how the words sounded.

But Corey nodded, understanding. “There was something missing.”

“A lot of somethings, actually,” she admitted.

“How is that your fault?”

“Well, according to my mother, I didn’t give him a chance, my expectations are too high, I need to understand that chemistry takes time—” she broke off, her cheeks burning. “Well, that’s getting a lot more personal than I meant to.”

“So, there was no chemistry with this guy, huh?”

She ignored his question because she knew the answer would lead her down a treacherous path.

They were at the barn now, and Corey dismounted before turning to help Erin down. She was grateful for his assistance, because as relaxed as she’d begun to feel in the saddle she wasn’t at all confident in her ability to get out of it. She put her hands on his shoulders and slid down, the front of her body brushing against the front of his.

Like flint rubbing against rock, sparks flashed, heat flared. Her breath caught, her pulse pounded. His hands stayed on her hips, holding her close.

And suddenly she was smack in the middle of that treacherous path she’d been so determined to avoid.

“Did you guys have a good time?” Russ asked.

Erin jumped back, her cheeks burning.

“Oh, yes,” she said. “It was wonderful. Thank you.”

“Not a problem,” Russ said. “Melanie’s just about to put dinner on the table. There’s plenty of food, if you wanted to join us.”

“Oh.” She wasn’t sure how to respond to the invitation. She’d met Russ and Melanie a few times and didn’t want to refuse his generous offer, but she wasn’t sure she’d feel comfortable sitting down at a table with people she barely knew.

“Thanks for the invite,” Corey said, coming to her rescue. “But Erin and I have other plans.”

“You’re sure?” Russ pressed.

“Positive. But please thank Melanie for us.”

His friend nodded. “I will. And I hope you’ll find your way out here again before you head back to Texas.”

“You can count on it,” Corey said, shaking his hand firmly.

The rancher tipped his hat to Erin, then led the horses into the barn.

* * *

“How are you holding up?” Corey asked when they were back in his truck and heading away from the ranch.

“Not too badly,” she said.

“You should take a hot bath before you go to bed tonight,” he suggested. “It will help ease any soreness in your muscles.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” She tipped her head back and closed her eyes as if she was imagining herself sinking into a tub filled with bubbles.

Or maybe he just assumed that was what was on her mind because it was on his.

“And if it doesn’t work, I’ll call Stefan in the morning and see if he can squeeze me in for a quickie during my lunch.”

“Stefan? A quickie?”

She laughed. “A quick massage,” she clarified.

“Oh.” But his frown deepened. “Don’t they have women who give massages?”

“Of course. But Stefan has the most amazing hands.”

“And you let him put them all over your body?”

“I pay him to put them all over my body.” She didn’t usually engage in this kind of flirtatious banter, but Corey’s reaction to her statement was so typically and possessively male, she couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “And he’s worth every penny.”

“I could do the same thing—for free.”

She lifted a brow. “Show me your diploma, cowboy.”

“Well, no one’s ever called it a diploma, but—”

She laughed. “I was referring to a professional accreditation. Stefan trained in Sweden.”

“I graduated from Texas A&M,” he said, flicking on his indicator.

Instead of heading in the direction Erin lived, he turned the opposite way.

“Where are we going?” she asked, more curious than concerned.