5. Nash
NASH
“You have about five seconds to explain yourself before I do just that.” She challenges me with a glare that is supposed to scare any other mere mortal, but all it does is make my cock ache.
What I’d give to have her flat on her back…
Or maybe she’d have me flat on mine. Either way, I wouldn’t complain.
“I heard the news,” I say, reaching out to stroke the mare’s head. “And it’s shitty, but we’re figuring out what Lanzetti is really up to. I don’t buy his wind farm story, in fact—”
“We?” Her tone is incredulous. “There is no we, Calloway.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way.”
“Really? So, you didn’t have Duncan arrest us?”
“Duncan was doing his job, and I maintain what I said before; things have to change around here.”
She narrows her eyes, then swings one leg over and slides off her horse. “I’m done with this conversation.” She leads the mare into the stables, but I follow her.
“Actually, where do you get off?” she demands, turning to look at me. “According to you, our ‘antics’ won’t be tolerated. And whenever the Stilettos are involved, mayhem follows, remember?” She uses her pointer fingers on both hands to emphasize her point.
“I’m here to talk about Lanzetti, the bastard’s a creep. I know that now.”
Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “You get two minutes, but I have to see to Gypsy first.” She turns and walks her horse back to her stall. Once inside, she removes the bridle, then the saddle.
“She’s a fine-looking animal,” I observe.
“She’s an American Quarter Horse. The best thing I ever did was rescue her.”
This is what Diamond Velente does. She rescues things. She takes them under her wing and puts them back together. Deep appreciation and understanding wash over me.
This is a woman who cares deeply about people and animals. She just doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve. Instead, she throws arrows, but I’m starting to see through her armor.
“You looked great out there.” I don’t know why those words slip out of my mouth.
The same reason I don’t know why my eyes roam over her sexy silhouette, and all I can think about is pushing her against one of the haybales and fucking her.
Calm the fuck down, Calloway.
“Didn’t know you were an expert,” she tosses back.
“I ride,” I tell her. “Or I used to.”
“Y-you do?”
“Well, it’s been a few years. I want to get back into it again. My daughter…” What in the fuck am I doing?
“Your daughter?” she repeats when I stop suddenly.
I clear my throat. Okay, it’s no secret around town I have a daughter. Diamond may already know, but I didn’t mean to just blurt it out. “Charlotte,” I continue. “I’d love to give her some lessons; she’s been harping on about getting a pony.”
“Ponies aren’t cheap,” Diamond says, kissing Gypsy on her nose. “But you know we offer lessons here, don’t you? Hell of a lot cheaper, and you can see whether she likes it or not before you commit.”
That I didn’t know. Charlotte would be in seventh heaven coming to the ranch. We’re renting a small place in town until we’re settled, then I’ll look for something bigger.
“You’re a woman of many talents.”
She stares at me. “Not just a pretty face, Sheriff.”
“Nash, no need for formalities when I’ve got horse shit stuck to my shoe.”
Her lips twitch as she fights a smile. “Shoulda come better prepared.”
She’s right. I should have.
“What did Lanzetti want?” I already know the answer, but it’s a formality.
“You know what he wants. My land. The son of a bitch offered me five million dollars to sell.”
My eyes widen. “For real?”
“For real. The same way he sweet-talked the Davidsons into turning their farm over when the kids didn’t want to take over. Money talks, clearly.” She shakes her head. “I had no fucking clue that he had his sights set on my property, but it isn’t for sale, not at any price.”
“That’s a lot of money, Diamond.”
Her fierce gaze meets mine. “At any price, Nash.”
It’s the first time she’s used my name, and if my cock wasn’t already hard as fuck, it is now.
I feel myself straining in my briefs. This woman is fucking glorious.
“So it’s never crossed your mind?” I’m provoking her, I know that.
“About selling?” she asks, shocked. “No.” She frowns a whole lot more. “Wait, did he send you here? Are you in on this, too?”
I move closer to her, but she steps back.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about. I’m not in anyone’s pocket.”
“No? So there’s no new boys’ club around Saddle, Sheriff? Because after Benson retired, things sure as shit changed for the worse. The mayor sold out. The cotton farm gone. Realtors aren’t even getting properties listed before Lanzetti buys up.”
I back her into a corner. “I’m on your side. You don’t have to be suspicious of me.”
She presses her palms against my chest, and I love the warmth radiating through my shirt. “Right, because not all men are bastards, right? I got the memo on that.”
“You might think I’m here to stir trouble, but I’m not. I’m here to do a job.”
“Really? So, what part of the job is this?”
She has me there, but I don’t answer. Why am I here?
She glares at me, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s something in her eyes other than anger… Her nipples pebble under the thin fabric of her tank. What I’d give to rip that material to one side and taste those perfect buds.
“I’m here because I moved to this small town to raise my daughter in peace and quiet. I don’t like Lanzetti. I have a hunch, and my gut never normally lets me down. I came to see whether you were okay.” I cage her in, and I relish the way her eyes skim down my body. It makes me even harder.
“You’re just here to save the day, is that it?”
I cock my head to one side. “Always a fucking smart mouth.”
“You could be a good sheriff and show me what that mouth can really do, but I’ll bet you’re just a do-gooder who only plays at being bad cop, right?”
My lips part slightly as my powers of speech are surrendered. She didn’t.
Oh, but she did.
I stare right into her icy depths. “Is that a challenge, Princess?”
Diamond
The way his huge frame towers over me makes me shiver. As do his eyes. The way they wander over my body makes me want to drop to my knees and worship him. And I don’t worship anyone. The way every cell in my body responds to him. My nipples pebble at the idea of him touching me.
“Maybe it is.”
“I didn’t come here to seduce you,” he says.
“No?”
He shakes his head. “I came here to warn you.”
“I know. To stay away, don’t cause trouble, stay off his property, blah, blah blah. Do you see what I’m talking about now? The prick has it coming, I swear—”
He places a finger over my lips, and my already wet panties practically dissolve.
This fucking man. “We both know that mouth is gonna land you in trouble, and that isn’t what I meant.
I came here because I heard about Lanzetti’s offer.
Duncan told me. I might not know the exact details, but I do know something. ”
My eyes widen. “What do you know?”
“If I tell you, it stays between us, and only us.”
I frown. “Why are you telling me?” I can’t help the suspicion in my tone. “Sharing trade secrets seems off for you.”
His top lip curls in a sneer. “You act like you know me.”
“I know enough.”
Now it’s his turn to look surprised. His eyebrows shoot up. “Such as?”
“Maybe I underestimated you.”
“You don’t know what I know yet.” He cages me in, and I like it.
“Dangling the carrot?”
“I heard a rumor, and I thought it was just that.” I clear my throat. “Lanzetti wants to build a luxury resort.”
My eyes widen and my blood boils at the same time. “He what?”
This day just got so much fucking worse.