Rodeo Queen (9 page)

Scott took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, clenching his jaw, and effectively ending the conversation. Clay changed the subject, discussing plans for an upcoming rodeo. Scott tried to keep his mind focused on his work instead of letting it stray to Sydney, who was waiting at the rodeo grounds. He glanced at his watched and realized that it was already past two o’clock. He hadn’t planned on being gone so long and stood to leave.

“I’ll walk you out,” Clay offered.

Scott knew that Clay had something he needed to get off his chest as they walked to the truck. “What’s the problem?”

“That obvious, huh?” Clay rubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw.

“Not really, I just know you. You don’t usually walk me to the truck unless something’s up.” Clay looked like he was trying to figure out how to best approach bad news. “Just get it out. Don’t worry about sugarcoating it.” Scott wondered what Derek had done that had Clay this worried.

“Liz is coming home.”

“What?” Scott felt as if someone had stuck a knife in his gut. Mike hadn’t even heard from her in the last three months. “Are you sure she just doesn’t want Mike to send her more money?”

“I wish, man.” Clay looked uncomfortable. “But she called Mike today and I knew that with everything that happened, you deserved a heads up. Besides, I’m a little worried that with this new girl staying in the house, there might be some trouble.”

“You mean Liz won’t like Sydney stealing her spotlight?” Scott guessed.

“Exactly.”

Scott laid his hand on Clay’s shoulder. “Thanks for letting me know.” He climbed into the truck. “As if this wasn’t going to be difficult enough.”

Scott started the engine, unsure if he meant dealing with Liz or having Sydney in such close proximity all of the time.

Chapter Six

S
COTT CURSED HIS
luck. He’d already been late leaving the house to get back to the arena, but then a flat tire on the trailer had made any chance of getting back to the ranch tonight an impossibility. He hadn’t even been able to call Jake or Sydney because his cell phone battery was dead and his car charger wouldn’t work. Finally, just as he was about to turn off of the freeway, traffic slowed to a stop due to a big rig that had dumped its entire load on the freeway, shutting down all but one lane of traffic. What should have been a two-hour drive back had now taken him almost five hours. If nothing else, the long drive had given him plenty of time to think about what Mike said at lunch.

Sydney was strong and honest and determined, but she was so much more than Mike even realized. She was passionate, with a temper that rivaled his own, but she also had a soft vulnerability that he couldn’t ignore. He was beginning to see that Sydney was nothing like Liz. She’d had plenty of opportunities to use him, Jake, or Mike to get what she wanted. Mike’s job offer had come as much of a shock to her as it had him, and she’d been undervaluing her horses and her training. He had to admit that he’d been wrong about her, and he had never been so relieved to be wrong.

When Scott finally pulled into the rodeo arena, he just wanted to get something hot to eat and to fall into a deep sleep. He parked the truck and went to check in with Jake to see how the day had gone for them, then he glanced in on the horses to see them relaxed and fully cared for by Sydney and Jake. Finding everything in order, he headed for the small trailer where he hoped to find Sydney waiting.

Walking into the trailer, he was surprised to find her asleep on the couch that served as his bed. He made his way to her sleeping form and squatted on the balls of his feet. She lay curled up, facing the door with her hand tucked under her chin. He saw that the small table was set and a chicken dinner had grown cold. A pang of guilt for abandoning her all afternoon crept up. Scott brushed her cheek with his fingertips. Soft and pink, with her curls falling around her face and down the side of the couch, she appeared so innocent.

“Sydney,” he whispered, trying to rouse her.

She leaned into his warmth, and her hand covered his on her cheek. Scott was unable to help himself when faced with her sweetness. He leaned down and lightly kissed her pouting lips. At the touch, a soft sigh escaped her throat, relaying her pleasure at his caress.

“Sydney,” he whispered again, this time along her jaw. “Wake up, princess.” He traced his thumb along her cheek and ear before allowing his lips to explore both.

“Scott?” She blinked, her eyes still clouded with sleep, and smiled up at him as she cupped his cheek. “I was worried about you.”

Her eyes widened as she came fully awake, realizing what she had just revealed. The blush that colored her cheeks made her look even more appealing. Scott arched a brow before placing a quick kiss on her protesting lips. “Long drive and my cell died. I see I missed dinner?”

“Wait, before you say anything I have something I have to tell you.” She sat up on the couch, but Scott stayed squatting in front of her, remaining eye to eye.

Scott took her hand and placed a kiss on her palm, feeling the pulse in her wrist speed up. “Go on.”

She drew her hand back as if it were on fire. “I . . . um . . . I just wanted to say,” she stammered. He knew their kisses were affecting her the same way they affected him. “Just that I know we didn’t meet under the best of circumstances and I hope you don’t think I’d normally treat someone the way I’ve treated you.”

“Thanks.” He smiled. “I think.”

“No, I mean . . . I don’t mean it like that.” He could see she was getting frustrated, so he rocked back onto his heels, giving her a little room to breathe and think. “What I mean is that I’ve been rude to you, and I’m sure you haven’t deserved all of it.” She gave him a coy smile. “But I hope you’ll accept my apology and we can be friends.”

Scott stood and made his way to the cold meal on the table, preparing to warm it up. “Friends?” he asked, letting the word slide off his tongue.

“Sure. I mean since we’ll be seeing each other almost daily, it would make it easier on us both.” Her curls bobbed around her face as she nodded.

“Just friends?” He arched his brow again and gave her his most rakish grin.

“Well,” she stammered. He chucked as she struggled to find the answer she thought would work before giving him a scolding glare. “You’re doing this on purpose,” she accused.

“What am I doing, princess?”

“You’re trying to make me feel . . .” He could see she was searching for a safe word.

“Uncomfortable.”

“Touché,” Scott chuckled as he grabbed one of the chairs and set it down in front of her. “Okay, since you want to lay everyone out on the line, I’ll take a turn. I did a lot of thinking today and I agree, we didn’t get off to the best start. I also apologize for the shabby way I’ve treated you. I’ve let past experience cloud my judgment without giving you a chance. You didn’t deserve that and I think a clean slate is in order.”

Scott reached for her hand and she allowed him to take it. “I know that it took a lot for you to be that honest with me, so I’m going to be honest with you. I’m all for us being ‘friends’, sweetheart, but that’s not all I want from you.”

“What do you mean?” Her breath caught as he cupped her cheek with his hand and stroked the silken skin.

“I mean that I want you. I have from the first moment I laid eyes on you, more than anyone I can remember.” He watched as her blush returned, but her eyes flamed with smoldering desire before she tore her gaze from his. “I’m not a romantic guy, I don’t believe in love at first sight, but I do want you. I want you going into this ‘friendship’ with your beautiful golden eyes open.”

Sydney chewed at her bottom lips as if unsure how to respond. “Don’t worry; I don’t expect you to say anything to that little revelation.” Scott chuckled, lightening the anxiety of the moment, and rose from the chair, pushing it back under the table. “How about if we warm up this chicken? Now that I’ve satisfied my appetite for you.” Scott wiggled his eyebrows. “For the moment at least,” he clarified. “I’m starving.”

Scott laughed as Sydney’s cheeks grew even more pink as she stepped over to the stove, placing the chicken in the oven to reheat it. Reaching into the refrigerator, she pulled out a pitcher of iced tea and poured him a glass. As she placed the glass in front of him, Scott reached out and captured her wrist, pulling her to his lap.

“Come here.”

She smiled. “I thought you said you were hungry.”

“Oh, I am,” he agreed, his eyes ran over her face, hungry to taste her lips again. “Besides, I missed you today.”

“I missed you too,” she admitted. He was lowering his head to take possession of her mouth when the timer went off.

Scott growled as he let her up. “Saved by the bell.” Sydney retrieved the chicken and dished up two plates, putting a green salad on the table. “So, ready to meet everyone tomorrow?”

“A little nervous,” she admitted. “But other than that, I think I’m ready to get going.”

“What can I do to help you feel more comfortable?”

She laughed slightly and tipped her head to the side. “Are you serious?” Scott nodded. “Because that was not your concern a few days ago. You didn’t want me to even take the job.”

Scott sighed, realizing how difficult his stubborn ego had made this challenge for her. “That was a mistake on my part. You’re going to do a great job; you’re an amazing trainer. I’m more worried that you might get hurt.”

“Scott,” she said, shaking her head at him. “I’ve been breaking horses since I learned how to ride. I grew up in the saddle. I’m more comfortable there than on my own feet.” She took a bite of her salad.

Scott took a bite of his own food. He wasn’t worried about her getting hurt on horseback. He was worried about the damage he might cause to her heart, or what Liz could do.

S
COTT WASN’T SURE
what woke him but he was upright on the couch. Something had broken through the haze of his subconscious and grabbed his attention. Then he heard it: Sydney’s voice, so full of pain that he ran to the bed. She was caught in a nightmare, tossing her head on the pillow as tears rolled down her cheeks. He grasped her shoulders.

“No, please,” she begged. “Don’t.”

“Sydney,” Scott reached for her wrists as she fought against him, scratching his cheek in the process. “Sydney, wake up. You’re dreaming.” She opened her eyes and stared at him, dazed. “You were dreaming,” he explained, letting her wrists loose.

“Scott!” He could hear panic in Jake’s voice from outside the door.

“It’s okay, Jake. We’re fine,” he assured him.

“You’re not killing her, are you?”

Scott raised his eyebrows at Sydney expectantly. “He’s expecting your voice.”

“I’m fine, Jake. Just a bad dream.”

They heard Jake leave the steps, muttering as he made his way back toward his bed. Scott lay beside her, pulling her onto his chest protectively. He looked down at her and smoothed a curl from her cheek. “You want to talk about it?”

She shook her head as a tear slid down her cheek and landed on his chest. She refused to meet his gaze. “I don’t remember.”

He knew she was lying, but wasn’t sure why. He stroked her head, not wanting to force her but concerned. “You were telling someone to stop and you fought me like a wildcat.” He brushed his thumb across the tear streak. “You can talk to me,” he coaxed.

“I . . . I can’t,” she whispered, her fingers curling against his chest.

“Okay.” He wrapped his arms around her, tucking her head below his chin. “When you’re ready, you can tell me. But you’ll be safe for tonight, I promise.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her breath warm against his bare chest.

Scott felt his pulse rage as desire shot through him. He willed himself to think of anything other than the soft, warm temptation lying in his arm. She needed his comfort right now, and that was what he would give her. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and heard her breathing grow deep and even. Her fingers twitched on his chest. She was falling back to sleep. Now if only he could do the same, he thought.

S
COTT AWOKE THE
next morning as the sun peeked through the curtain across from him, but it wasn’t the rays that woke him. It was Sydney’s rear, pressed firmly against him as he found himself curled around her back with his hand cupping her breast. He stifled a groan, settling instead for a sigh, and forced himself to scoot away from her on the bed. He didn’t want to think what would have happened if she’d wakened to his fondling, and he hated himself for his weakness.

He rose onto his elbow and looked down at her profile. She looked like a child, with her hand curled into a fist under her chin as she slept. Scott leaned forward and lightly placed a kiss on her temple. “Sydney,” he whispered as he kissed her jaw. “It’s time to get up.”

“Hmm.” She sighed, stretching her torso and raising her arms above her head. She rolled over and landed on his bare chest.

A soft groan escaped his throat. She was putting him through hell without even knowing it. “Come on, sleepyhead. You have a long drive ahead and a busy day.”

Sydney opened her eyes and, realizing they were in bed together, tried to pull away from him. He wrapped his arms around her back and held her close. “Good morning.”

Her smile was shy as she looked at him. “Morning,” she mumbled. “Want some breakfast?” She appeared ready to flee at the first opportunity.

“Sure, in a minute,” he said, enjoying this moment of holding her against him. He tipped her chin up and touched her lips with his. Her mouth tasted so sweet he wanted to deepen the kiss, but he didn’t want to imagine where that might lead him this morning. “I wanted to say good morning properly.” Her smile was relaxed and her eyes liquid, which had been his intention.

“Now, would you like me to fix breakfast?” she asked.

Scott loosened his arms and began to stroke her back. “Unless you want me to fix it.”

“No, I think I’d better do it. I remember cleaning up your mess last time.”

Scott reluctantly moved away from her and left the bed to find his shirt near the couch. “Why don’t you get started and I’ll go feed the horses? We’ll be loading up and pulling out after we eat.”