A Very Tempting Texan (Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Missing Mogul) by Janice Maynard Page A
Authors: Janice Maynard
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Shannon had been courted once in the past for her family’s land. She didn’t want to repeat the humiliating experience. But that didn’t stop her from falling head over heels for the fascinating, sexy Rory. Though she had gone out with him numerous times in the last half a year, it wasn’t until recently that he had coaxed her into bed.
Paradoxically, that experience had prompted her to break up with him. Because the sex had been so incredible, she’d almost crumbled when he asked to buy her family’s ranch. That was a sin she absolutely could not commit, even if Rory mesmerized her like a snake charmer.
The Bar None Ranch was her sacred responsibility...a part of the Morrison legacy left to her by her parents at their untimely deaths. No sweet-talkin’ Texan was going to influence her to do something she would later regret. Even if he did make her melt with longing when he touched her.
Today, he looked better than ever, if that was possible. He was tall and lean and muscular. His ebony hair, sculpted cheekbones and deeply tanned skin framed eyes that were the black of a moonless night.
Despite the fact that he could charm the diamonds off a rattlesnake with his generous smile and smooth manners, he projected an air of utter masculinity. No one would ever call him a “citified” guy, though he now wandered the halls of government in the Texas capital.
Rory Fentress was a man’s man through and through. His intelligence and charisma had propelled him on the political fast track, but beneath his sophisticated persona lay an alpha male who was virile, driven and good with his hands—whether than meant stroking a woman or gentling a horse, handling a firearm or wrestling a bronco.
Rory was the real deal. A Texas maverick. A rule-breaker. And an amazing lover.
Feeling her cheeks heat, Shannon moved restlessly, suddenly too hot in her khaki work shirt and well-worn jeans. Taking care not to sit up, she flipped the ignition long enough to roll down both windows. The spring morning that had started out with a gentle breeze was heating up rapidly. Much like her quivering insides.
Surely Rory would move on in the next few minutes. The day was wasting away, and she needed to get back to the ranch. But the only means of exiting the one-way street was to drive smack in front of the man she absolutely could not face.
Determined to wait him out, she fished her phone from her purse and perused her email. Pickup trucks were a dime a dozen in Royal, so she wasn’t worried about him recognizing her vehicle. He was probably in town to shake down some of Royal’s wealthiest citizens for backing of his upcoming political campaign or to purchase whichever piece of property he had decided to buy after Shannon turned him down. Trouble was, Royal didn’t have a very mobile population. Huge ranching operations remained in families for decades. Available real estate, at least the kind Rory would want, was slim pickings.
She had finished checking email and was playing a silly video game when a shadow fell across her left shoulder. Startled, she jerked upright, dropped her phone and bumped her elbow on the door handle.
A low, all-too-familiar voice spoke in tones more suited to a cloistered bedroom than a public street.
“Hello, Shannon. How are you?”
* * *
Rory Fentress knew a thing or two about political maneuvering. A man who could facilitate compromise had it in his power to make things happen. Important things. Dealing with a woman was similar, but far trickier.
At the moment, Shannon Morrison’s cool stare could have frozen molten lava. “What are you doing here?” she asked, the words tight and breathless. He hoped that his unexpected reappearance in Royal had shaken her.
“Business.” He shrugged, resting his right hand on the windowsill, wondering if she would buy that excuse. The lady was one smart cookie, and despite her bright, sassy hair and pale blue eyes, the voluptuous Shannon was no blonde
Shannon had been courted once in the past for her family’s land. She didn’t want to repeat the humiliating experience. But that didn’t stop her from falling head over heels for the fascinating, sexy Rory. Though she had gone out with him numerous times in the last half a year, it wasn’t until recently that he had coaxed her into bed.
Paradoxically, that experience had prompted her to break up with him. Because the sex had been so incredible, she’d almost crumbled when he asked to buy her family’s ranch. That was a sin she absolutely could not commit, even if Rory mesmerized her like a snake charmer.
The Bar None Ranch was her sacred responsibility...a part of the Morrison legacy left to her by her parents at their untimely deaths. No sweet-talkin’ Texan was going to influence her to do something she would later regret. Even if he did make her melt with longing when he touched her.
Today, he looked better than ever, if that was possible. He was tall and lean and muscular. His ebony hair, sculpted cheekbones and deeply tanned skin framed eyes that were the black of a moonless night.
Despite the fact that he could charm the diamonds off a rattlesnake with his generous smile and smooth manners, he projected an air of utter masculinity. No one would ever call him a “citified” guy, though he now wandered the halls of government in the Texas capital.
Rory Fentress was a man’s man through and through. His intelligence and charisma had propelled him on the political fast track, but beneath his sophisticated persona lay an alpha male who was virile, driven and good with his hands—whether than meant stroking a woman or gentling a horse, handling a firearm or wrestling a bronco.
Rory was the real deal. A Texas maverick. A rule-breaker. And an amazing lover.
Feeling her cheeks heat, Shannon moved restlessly, suddenly too hot in her khaki work shirt and well-worn jeans. Taking care not to sit up, she flipped the ignition long enough to roll down both windows. The spring morning that had started out with a gentle breeze was heating up rapidly. Much like her quivering insides.
Surely Rory would move on in the next few minutes. The day was wasting away, and she needed to get back to the ranch. But the only means of exiting the one-way street was to drive smack in front of the man she absolutely could not face.
Determined to wait him out, she fished her phone from her purse and perused her email. Pickup trucks were a dime a dozen in Royal, so she wasn’t worried about him recognizing her vehicle. He was probably in town to shake down some of Royal’s wealthiest citizens for backing of his upcoming political campaign or to purchase whichever piece of property he had decided to buy after Shannon turned him down. Trouble was, Royal didn’t have a very mobile population. Huge ranching operations remained in families for decades. Available real estate, at least the kind Rory would want, was slim pickings.
She had finished checking email and was playing a silly video game when a shadow fell across her left shoulder. Startled, she jerked upright, dropped her phone and bumped her elbow on the door handle.
A low, all-too-familiar voice spoke in tones more suited to a cloistered bedroom than a public street.
“Hello, Shannon. How are you?”
* * *
Rory Fentress knew a thing or two about political maneuvering. A man who could facilitate compromise had it in his power to make things happen. Important things. Dealing with a woman was similar, but far trickier.
At the moment, Shannon Morrison’s cool stare could have frozen molten lava. “What are you doing here?” she asked, the words tight and breathless. He hoped that his unexpected reappearance in Royal had shaken her.
“Business.” He shrugged, resting his right hand on the windowsill, wondering if she would buy that excuse. The lady was one smart cookie, and despite her bright, sassy hair and pale blue eyes, the voluptuous Shannon was no blonde
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