Page 6 of My Cowboy Valentine

I nod. Despite disenchantment over doing everything myself these days, excitement crackles in the air. I finally get to see two-dimensional ideas on paper transformed into three-dimensional realities. “This goes without saying,” I add, eyeing the design team Shelley heads up. “But for once, thisismy first rodeo. So, I’d appreciate it if you could help me know what to look for while quality checking.”

The team laughs in hushed tones. Shelley lifts her chin, a fake smile plastered across her face. “Absolutely. We did the tech pack right, so providing thorough comments with the first sample should translate into second samples that perfectly align with our vision. That said, factories tend to rush first samples, so expect some inevitable errors.”

I nod again, and Shelley calls for the first model to enter. The process continues for hours as we pour over every detail, from how buttons lay to how seams come together and the quality and esthetic of individual materials. I’ve never examined clothing as closely in my life, and I feel uneasy, especially when I see some concerning details that Shelley approves without question.

But she reassures me everything is to specs. I’d really like to have the opinion of my disappearing partner right about now. After scrutinizing each garment and adding comments, we ask the models about fit and comfort. Although a tedious process, I’m determined to get it right the first time. We’re wasting money until we officially launch the brand and stock store shelves.

The design team mills around, side-eyeing me as I look over everything again. Some of the samples don’t meet my expectations, but Shelley reassures me everything looks great.My eyes flicker to the clock on the wall. It’s already half past four. Looking at the faces seated at the conference table, I dismiss them begrudgingly. “Thank you, everyone. I have a lot to think about?—”

A redhead bursts unexpectedly into the room, trailed by my PA, Natalie. Natalie apologizes breathlessly, “I tried to stop her before?—”

My eyes snap to the lithe woman with long, curled, scarlet locks that bounce and dance mid-back as her head bobbles between me and the design team. She wears large black sunglasses, and my eyes settle on her generous red lips, awakening a twinge in my cock that shocks me more than the way she burst into the room.

Her simple black blazer with tucked-in white button-down shirt and blingy, useless belt buckle tempt my eyes lower, tracing her curvy legs from the top of her waist down to her ankles, ending in a pair of hand-tooled cowboy boots that have never seen a day’s work.

For a long moment, the redhead stares at me, her mouth hanging open and her cheeks burning. The atmosphere sizzles, knocking the wind out of me. Kind of like being punched by surprise in the gut, only far more pleasant. As warm coils of want wrap around my heart, I swallow hard.

“All of this needs to stop now,” she orders emphatically, motioning with her arms and looking straight at me. She lifts her sunglasses, narrowing her jade-colored eyes at me, and fluttering her eyelids several times to enhance her long, lush lashes. My heart does a weird flip-flop. Goddammit. Despite not seeing her in nearly four years, I’d know those snappy eyes and snooty voice anywhere—Lesley “Red” Cash.

“What in the hell are you thinking? You can’t barge in here like you own the place,” I scold.

“That’s the thing. Idoown the place now. At least in part.” I stare at her outfit in disgust. Worse than a city girl playing country, she’s a country girl turned snooty big-city wannabe who’s forgotten her roots. The few times she’s come home over the past two decades, she causes chaos with her fucking know-it-all, metropolitan ways. Even worse, her general absence has left her mama heartbroken. No mother should have to beg for her children to come home for family holidays. Lord knows I’d give anything to be in her shoes. My mama died when I was nine.

My stomach drops, and bile rises in my throat. My thoughts drift back to the last uneasy conversation I had with Billy, where he alluded to the fact Lesley might be able to help us.

“You know this woman?” Natalie asks, furrowing her brows. All eyes are on me.

I scrutinize Red long and hard—the curve of her lip, the flush of her cheek, the tantalizing fullness of her breasts. Want and hate wage an inner battle, as always. “Unfortunately.”

Red frowns deeply, shooting me an aggressive look. My heart bangs against my ribs, and I explain flatly, “She’s Billy’s older sister. Can y’all give me a few minutes with this…”Witch? Bitch? Demoness? Succubus? Cunt?“…woman.”

I’ll be damned if I let her traipse in here, pretending my company is hers. And over my dead body, will she provide input on any level. Over the years, she’s made it clear how little she wants to do with Alpha Ridge Creek or her family. Now, I aim to keep it that way by kicking her ass out of here.

The air solidifies between us, thick with the kind of tension that tempts me to put my fist through the wall. The design team looks back and forth at each other, confused, and Natalie hunches her shoulders, resigned. I wonder if she and Red had words before entering the room.

“Are you sure, Mr. Jameson?” Natalie asks, her eyes flooding with concern. “I can call security if you’d like?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Red hisses.

“I’ve got her handled,” I answer with a frown. “Why don’t y’all get out of here and spare yourselves whatever this is shaping up to be.”

Shelley shifts her weight, remaining after everyone else shuffles out. I glance in her direction, raising an eyebrow. She asks obediently, “Are we resubmitting everything with the revised tech pack to Texplanet? Or would you like a little more time first?”

“Nothing happens until your boss and I chat,” Red replies through gritted teeth.

Bossy. Aggressive. Rude. Red’s always been all these things, but more than two decades in New York have amplified these traits to epic proportions. Thankfully, not much scares me. Except what happens next…

Despite myself, my eyes sweep over her, and the soul-deep yearning starts again. The yearning that puts a lump in my throat and a sharp, persistent ache in my heart. The yearning that stings the back of my eyes and steals the flavor from life, infusing everything with bitter dissatisfaction.

One fucking look and I’m ravenous for the only woman I can’t have. In her absence, I almost convince myself these feelings stem from a misplaced childhood crush. But damn, then I see her again, and all the pain and need resurface. And before I know it, I find myself wanting her with every cell in my entire being. Fuck, this sucks.

“That’s fine,” I grumble to Shelley, fantasizing about throwing Red off the property myself. I need her out of my vicinity before I do something stupid. “Let me handle this, and I’ll find you afterward.”

Shelley nods, her face awash in too many emotions to read. As she walks away, I take a couple of deep breaths, feeling morelike I’m in the chute about to ride a bull than talk to my best friend’s sister.

Chapter Four

ROWDY

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