Alone with You. Debbi Rawlins
do you want?”
Her smile widened. “My rental is right over here.”
“Can’t you just spit it out?”
“I’d rather not,” she said, her gaze sweeping the swelling crowd. “This is business, and discussing it out here would be inappropriate.”
Unease itched the back of Tanner’s neck. Maybe he was in trouble. If Sundowner really wasn’t kaput he should still be wearing their logo on his shirt. He had on a belt they made and wondered if that counted.
Hell, his brother had brought the deal to him. Right after Doug had passed the bar exam, he’d negotiated the contract with a Sundowner bigwig. It hadn’t amounted to much. But Doug had been eager to show his appreciation for Tanner’s financial help so Tanner had rolled with it.
“All right,” he said. “Lead the way.”
She nodded, shifted the gigantic purse to her other hand and turned. “It’s the white sedan right over—” She made a full circle, her gaze bouncing from one white car to the next. “This is absurd.”
“Take it easy. It’s a rental. Could happen to anybody.”
“What could?”
“I’m assuming you don’t know which sedan is yours.”
She whipped off her sunglasses. “I’m wondering why so many people would buy bland white cars.”
Tanner chuckled. “You remember the make?”
“It’s domestic. I think.” She looked at the plastic encased tag attached to the key. “Here’s the plate number. Right?”
He took her wrist and turned her hand so he could see better. Her skin was really soft and she smelled awfully good. “Tell you what...let’s go to my trailer, talk, have a beer. By then the lot will have thinned out and you can take whatever car’s left.”
Narrowing her gaze, she yanked back her hand. “I’m glad you find this so amusing.”
He grinned. “No sense getting worked up over it. I have a fifth wheel sitting across the street. It’s got plenty of room.”
“First, what’s a fifth wheel? And plenty of room for what?”
“Not what that warped mind of yours seems to have conjured.” It tickled him the way her cute little nose went up in the air. “But I’m sure we can come to an agreement.”
“Oh, we already have, Mr. Tanner,” she said, suddenly all sweetness. “For the next ten days, I own your ass.”
3
SURPRISE WASHED OVER Tanner’s face, and Lexy tried not to react. She needed to take control of the situation and not waste the lifeline Norma had thrown her. Time was important. She was operating on a tight schedule and an even tighter budget. The longer it took her to drag his butt down to Houston for the photo shoot, the more money it would cost her. Money she didn’t have. She didn’t even have a credit card with wiggle room as backup. All because of her idiotic pride.
“Well, that explains it,” he said, rubbing his shadowed jaw, his hazel eyes lit with amusement. “I saw you checking out my ass earlier. Seeing as how you think you own it, I understand why you felt the need to inspect it so closely.”
She allowed for a small smile. If he thought he could ruffle her, he was in for another surprise. She slowly circled him, making a show of ogling his broad chest and muscled forearms. For good measure, she tilted her head to the side while she studied the seat of his worn jeans. “Yes, you’ll do.”
Watching her from over his shoulder, he lifted a dark brow. “You having fun?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t call it that.” She continued all the way around while he tracked her with his interesting gold-and green-flecked eyes.
He had a strong chiseled jaw the camera would love, with or without the few days’ stubble. His brown hair was a bit long, touching the collar of his blue Western-style shirt. But it was a decent haircut and he had a great smile. It was possible she’d have to take him shopping before they showed up at the photo shoot, but by then her corporate credit card would have been issued. If not, she’d have to swallow her pride and hit up Norma for some cash. Something Lexy should’ve done in the first place.
She heard someone wolf whistle and looked up to see Tanner’s mouth tighten. A pair of cowboys were walking by and laughing, the taller of the two giving Tanner a thumbs-up.
“Okay, that’s enough,” he muttered, tugging his hat lower. “We either finish this conversation in my trailer, or we can part company right now. The latter being my preference.”
“Your trailer it is, then.” She briefly reconsidered. A crowded parking lot might be the better option. Tanner was bound to give her a hard time. Probably flat out refuse to have anything to do with the calendar or the fragrance line. Just like most of the other rodeo cowboys. But unlike them, Tanner would be in breach of his contract if he refused to play nice. Unfortunately, she had the feeling a guy like him wouldn’t care.
He started walking and she fell into step beside him. “Tell me straight up,” he said, giving her a sidelong look. “Am I in hot water with you people?”
“Not that I’m aware. Why? Did you violate the indecency clause?” Dammit, she was warm.
“No. Maybe.” He didn’t look too happy, perhaps even a bit guilty. “Explain what that means and I’ll let you know.”
Lexy hid a smile. “How about you tell me what questionable behavior is bothering you and I’ll let you know.”
He snorted. “I might be a simple cowboy but I’m not stupid.”
“I was teasing.” Good to know he was concerned about violating his agreement. She had no idea if there was a decency clause, but she saw no reason to share that with him. No sense handing him ammunition to wiggle out of his contract.
“Oh...so that’s you joking?” He mocked her with a pitying look. “You don’t cut loose much, do you?”
Ha, she could shock him in that department. Playing loose was partly why she was here, overheated and wearing a suit she hated, worried about her maxed-out credit cards and holding her breath every time the warm breeze carried a whiff of horse dung. And now she was being punished instead of sitting in a cushy corner office on the top floor.
They stopped twice for Tanner to sign autographs for kids who bombarded him with questions. The women seemed to like him, too, flashing him smiles and giving him suggestive looks that he fielded like a man accustomed to feminine attention. That was good, excellent. Lexy had seen several headshots of the men already lined up for the calendar. Tanner would have some stiff competition.
While he signed, she thought about taking a couple pictures of him against the stunning background of the Rockies. The hills leading up to the snow-capped peaks were as green as emeralds and would really show off his eyes.
Before she could get out her phone, he finished with the boys and was promptly intercepted by a cowboy trying to get Tanner to join a late-night poker game. He shook his head and kept walking until they reached a trailer parked behind a late-model motor coach. In fact, all the other RVs in the park were much nicer than Tanner’s. He opened the trailer door and didn’t even flinch at the annoying creak.
“I can’t recall how I left things. So enter at your own risk,” he said, yanking off his Stetson with a sweeping gesture for her to go first.
If he was trying to scare her off he’d be disappointed. She’d spent time in too many frat houses to worry about when she’d gotten her last tetanus shot. The first step was a tad wobbly, but she ignored the hand he offered and made it inside.
The place was roomier and neater than she’d expected. Though the kitchen and living areas were small, they were well laid out with appliances, cabinets and built-in