Montana Medic’s Match (Montana Made #3)

Chapter One

C onnor McFarland knew he’d regret bringing Candy Armstrong to Las Vegas. Sure, she was gorgeous but she was also flaky. Still, he’d ignored her general flakiness and asked her anyway because she was a lot of fun. And he’d been having a good time since they arrived that afternoon.

Until she dumped him for another man.

Connor liked women. He enjoyed dating them, even though the vast majority—some would say all—of his relationships were short-lived. All but one, and that one had died a long time ago. As far as anyone from around his hometown of Marietta knew, he’d never been serious about a woman. And he liked it that way. Both of his brothers were married and happy. He was glad for them but not particularly envious.

Even so, that didn’t mean he was good with being dumped for another man. He’d have been really angry but that was more trouble than it was worth.

So here he was, standing at the craps table—alone—and wondering how long it would be before he lost the money he’d earmarked to gamble with. Connor liked to gamble but he really hated losing money. Whenever he gambled, he allowed himself a certain amount and once that was done, so was he. If he lost, he considered it entertainment; if he won, he considered it even better entertainment.

Candy had left him at the baccarat table. He wasn’t doing any good there, so he wandered over to a craps table that was rocking. Someone was winning big. He worked his way up to the table until he discovered who the big winner was. He managed to grab a place close to her. When the sea of people around her parted, he stared at her, completely stunned.

She was gorgeous. Long, dark hair falling in waves past the middle of her back. Plump, red lips. High cheekbones. Beautiful complexion. But her eyes were what drew him. They were a clear, light blue, the irises encircled by navy. No surprise, she was smiling. Who wouldn’t be winning like that?

What did surprise him was she seemed to be alone. There were men standing beside her, naturally, but she paid them absolutely no attention. Connor played but he didn’t bet much. He was far more interested in the woman who was cleaning up. Finally she cashed in—up, he judged, by many thousands. Connor cashed in too, down a couple of hundred. He watched the lady leave and nearly swallowed his tongue. Whoa, baby. She wore a black turtleneck, tucked into a short—very short—red skirt, and thigh-high black boots. Sexy and classy.

What in the hell was a woman like her doing alone? In a place like Vegas yet.

He lost sight of her and shrugged mentally. Clearly not his lucky night. He wandered over to a blackjack table that only had a couple of people playing and took a seat. He won a little, lost a little, and just when he’d decided to look for a more interesting table a female voice asked, “Is this seat taken?”

He looked up. It was her. The hot woman from the craps table. “It is now. Have a seat.”

She smiled and sat, cashed in one of her hundred-dollar chips, and placed a bet. She won steadily for the next few hands, increasing her bets each time. After that she lost occasionally, but more often won. Before too long she had a large stack of chips in front of her. “You’re watching me awfully closely. Are you with the casino?”

He laughed. “No way.”

“I’m not counting cards.”

“I didn’t think you were. I saw you winning at craps earlier.”

“I saw you too. You were watching me closely there as well.”

“How could I not watch a gorgeous woman win like you’ve been winning?”

“Apparently tonight is my lucky night,” she said with a smile.

In between hands, they talked. “Why did you leave the craps table?”

She shrugged. “I wanted to see if my luck held with another game.” She looked at her winnings, which had been steadily growing. “Looks like it did.”

“I wasn’t doing that great here until you sat down.” Since then he’d been winning. Maybe it was an omen. Good or bad, he wasn’t sure yet. “My name’s Connor.” He held out a hand.

“Sierra,” she said as she put hers in his and shook with a firm grip. “I’m having a run of ‘lucky in cards, unlucky in love.’”

“You? You’re kidding.”

“No.” She shook her head and placed another bet. “This is my ‘celebrate my divorce being finalized’ trip.”

Shocked, he blinked. “What kind of fool would divorce you?”

She smiled again. “Thanks. One who fell in love with another woman.”

“What a dumbass.”

She laughed. “Yes, he is. You must not be having the same problem.”

It was his turn to laugh. “Until you sat down I was unlucky in cards and love. At least the luck in cards has changed.”

“Unlucky in love, huh? Are you divorced?”

“God no. I’ve never been married. But the lady who came with me? She dumped me for another guy. At the baccarat table. According to him she was his lucky charm.”

“Good God. What a line. She must be a fool.”

He shrugged. “It didn’t break my heart.”

“That’s good.”

“Did he break yours?”

“My—my ex-husband?”

Connor simply nodded.

“Why do you ask that?”

“Your eyes are sad.”

She scowled. “Damn it, I don’t like looking pitiful.”

“Believe me, pitiful is the last thing anyone would think seeing you. I’m sorry you’re hurting, though.”

She waved aside his words. “Tonight is my last night here. What about you?”

“First night.”

She studied him for a moment. “I’m going to cash in. I’ve heard the water show at the fountains is great. There’s one starting soon. Have you seen it?”

“Yes, but it’s been a while. From what I remember it’s pretty spectacular.”

“Want to go with me?”

“Sure.” Was she kidding? He’d have gone anywhere she suggested, as long as it was with her.

*

They reached the fountains shortly before the show was scheduled to begin. “From what I read, it says there are more than a thousand fountains, and the show is set to music and lights,” Sierra said.

“Yes. I think it covers this entire lake.”

“How long ago was it that you saw it?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Four…no, five years I think. I was on leave from the army. I don’t remember it that well, to tell you the truth.”

She laughed. “Let me guess, you had a really good time with the free drinks at the tables.”

“You got it. Contrary to popular belief, there can be too much of a good thing.”

“Are you still in the military?” Now that he said it she could see it, but she hadn’t pegged him as military right off.

“No, I did two tours but I’ve been out now for several years.”

She started to ask him what he did now, but then she might have to talk about her work. This trip was not only a celebration of being single but also a hiatus from work.

“Oh, look. It’s starting.” The water shot up and the music started, something with a fast beat, a singer she’d never heard before. The water danced to the music, matching its highs and lows. She and Connor exchanged a look.

“Awesome,” he said, his eyes sparkling.

“It truly is. Isn’t it cool how the fountains and lights match the music?” she asked.

“Awesome.”

For the rest of the show they didn’t talk but the music and the lights and the dancing fountains were more than enough. The show didn’t last all that long but it certainly lived up to its reputation. As the last of the notes died away and the fountains subsided, Sierra said, “I loved it. Thanks for going with me.”

“I was happy to. It was amazing.” He looked at the water and shook his head. “I bet the arial view is unbelievable.”

“I imagine so.” Sierra studied him a moment before she spoke. He was damn good-looking, with his blue eyes and disheveled dark blond hair. Charming too. She wondered what was wrong with his date that she’d dumped him. Maybe he wasn’t as nice and charming as he seemed. Or maybe the woman was just a dumbass. Whatever, she wasn’t ready for this…flirtation? to be over yet. “Let’s go get a drink. Someplace we can talk.”

She held her breath, wondering what he’d say. Whether he’d suggest his room, in which case, she was outta there. She really did want to talk.

“The Baccarat Bar is really nice,” he said. He reached for her hand. “Come on.”

He held her hand all the way to the bar and only let go when they chose a booth. He let her pick and she chose one that was a little secluded. He let her go first then slid in beside her.

So, he’d passed the test, taking her to a public place rather than his room. Which left her free to decide…what? She was actually thinking about having a one-night stand. She never had before and, honestly, wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. Or even if she was sure that’s what she wanted. But really, it shouldn’t be that hard to figure out, should it? He was nice, good-looking, not pushy, and she didn’t get a bad vibe from him. Not to mention, she’d never see him again. Sounded like the perfect man at the perfect time.

“You seem a little tense,” he said after they ordered, and the waitress brought their drinks. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Not really.” The truth? Or avoid it? She went with the basic truth. “It just hit me that this is the first time I’ve been with a man since my ex and I separated. When it wasn’t business or work-related, anyway. For fun, you know?”

He looked surprised. “You haven’t been on a date? How long have you been separated?”

“About ten months. But he didn’t file right away. It wasn’t final until a week ago.” Which was really quick for a divorce to be finalized but then, she hadn’t fought it. There was no point when Phil’s mind was made up and she’d known when he filed that he wouldn’t change his mind. She could be honest with Connor. After all, she was unlikely to ever see him again. “I kept hoping he’d come back. I know it makes me sound like a fool to take him back after he left me for another woman, but I…I think I would have.”

He patted her hand that was on the table. “You don’t sound like a fool. You must have really loved him.”

She had. Sometimes she thought she still did. But he’d made it clear his life was with the other woman now. Tamera Baker. The younger woman who was a surgical nurse who worked with him at the hospital. Phil liked them young. After all, she’d only been twenty when she’d fallen head over heels for him and married him. And the marriage had worked. For a while. Until she became more independent. Especially after she became a flight nurse, the marriage had begun to unravel. Sierra needed to get on with her life. Which was why she was moving, far away from Dallas and her failed marriage.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing worse than being with someone who’s talking about their ex.”

“No apologies necessary. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger.”

“I know. That seems weird, doesn’t it?” She took a big sip of her wine. “So, are there any broken hearts in your background?”

After patting it, he’d kept hold of her hand and was now stroking her palm with his thumb. It shouldn’t have been sexy, but somehow it was.

“Nope. Both my brothers are married, but I only came close once, and that was a long time ago.”

“You’re a player.”

He winced. “I’ve been called that but everyone I’ve gone out with knows I don’t do permanent. I’ve never hidden it.”

“No one has tried to change your mind?”

“Once or twice. I think I’m doomed to remain single.”

Tilting her head, she said, “Somehow I don’t see you thinking of that as doomed.”

His smile was downright devastating. Irresistible to a lot of women, herself included. Oh, not seriously, but for fun? Yes, she could see that.

“Busted.”

“Hey, at least you’re honest.”

“Usually.” He didn’t say anything else, but he still held her hand. And looked at her.

“What?” She couldn’t read his expression.

“I’d really like to kiss you.”

“Funny. I was thinking the same thing.” He released her hand to cup her face in his hands.

And then he kissed her. He took his time, traced the seam of her lips with his tongue until she opened her mouth to invite him in. Their tongues touched, retreated, touched again. She abandoned herself to the feelings he inspired. The kiss was…perfect. Absolute perfection. He didn’t jam his tongue down her throat or make the kiss excessively wet. He sipped, like he was tasting fine wine. And he tasted of wine. Wine and man. He kissed her gently but thoroughly. He dropped his hands and looked at her.

“I haven’t kissed a man in over a year. I’m glad I waited for you.”

He smiled, put his arms around her, and kissed her again. Slow and spine-tingling. It was, if possible, even better than the first time.

“I’ve been winning since I got here,” she said. “The hotel comped me and upgraded me after my first night.”

“Are you normally a high roller?”

“I don’t know. This is my first time here.”

“And you cleaned up? Your first time?”

“Told you, lucky at cards, unlucky at love. Anyway, I have a big beautiful suite on one of the top floors. Would you like to come up and have a drink?”

He smiled, slow and sexy. “I’d love to.”