effects of spanking her bottom. I resisted grinning as I thought about the experience, realizing I hadn’t been this excited in years. Maybe ever. The obnoxious girl still did something to me even if she was a handful.
Annoying.
Nosy.
Bossy.
Shit. I wanted to spend the rest of the day taming her, but I had work to do. What I didn’t know is what the hell she was doing here. Her accusations had stuck in my craw, leaving me questioning what she could be getting at. Let alone who else had told her I was dangerous? I chuckled at the thought since it had been the very word I’d used. While I’d yet to mention the down and dirty at the auction with Hawk, I could be forced to soon if she didn’t spill what she knew.
“Okay, sunshine. Out with it. Why the hell are you here?”
She finished fastening her jeans, taking her time before looking me in the eyes. “This was a mistake.”
I snorted, uncertain whether she meant being caught red-handed or the incredible round of sex. If I had to guess, I’d say both. I fastened my belt then yanked my boots off the floor. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. You still thinking I’m involved in some criminal activity?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Why the hell do you think that? Who are you anyway? Some animal lover determined to stop the beef industry, like tying yourself to a steer to keep it from being slaughtered?”
The flash in her eyes was like a blizzard occurring on a summer’s day. “Hardly. While I do care for animals, all animals I might add, I’m not the kind of woman to do crazy shit like that, thank you very much.”
“So, accusing just about everyone involved at the auction wasn’t crazy?”
Her nostrils flaring, she jerked on her boots then moved as far away from me as possible. “I had a tip from an anonymous source. That’s all you’re going to get. I don’t know you and I certainly can’t trust you.”
A laugh erupted from my gut before I could stop it. “You mean the hot sex we had didn’t make us bosom buddies?”
Another flush shot up both her cheeks.
“Can I leave now?” she demanded. “I think you’ve taken your pound of flesh.”
I thought about her request, as well as the statement she’d issued. What kind of tip had this girl received? “You know what? Let’s cut this thing off at the pass. I’m going to venture a guess that you’re looking to see if the Big Meadow Ranch is harboring injured animals for some sick reason. Am I right? Maybe you’re thinking some level of fraud?” I knew about the shit happening in the industry. I was well aware there were some bad seeds out there, determined to exploit good people out of their hard-earned funds. What I’d never heard was anyone putting Big Meadow on some kind of radar. That made me angry as well as raised red flags.
She gave me a hard look before nodding.
“All right. Then come with me. Maybe I can prove to you otherwise.” When she hesitated, I lifted my eyebrow. “I ain’t gonna bite. At least any more than I already have. Although, I do think you enjoyed our… second meeting.”
As she swept her hair over her shoulders, I realized my cock was already twitching again.
“All right. Maybe I’ll be the one doing the biting,” she huffed, wincing as she walked toward the stairs.
This time, I couldn’t keep the evil grin off my face.
She gave me another hard, cold stare, her eyes searching mine condescendingly. The woman was definitely a brat, but formidable in all kinds of ways. Hmmm…
When I opened the passenger door of my truck, she exhaled in an exaggerated manner. I couldn’t help but notice she seemed confused at the sight of my truck, as if expecting something else. She raked her hand through her disheveled hair before climbing inside, her jaw clenched. I’d obviously pissed her off all over again. While I’d been working on my patience since returning from Afghanistan, this woman was yanking every single chain.
The passion had been amazing, but not enough to continue allowing her bad behavior or her unfounded accusations.
Remaining quiet, I roared onto the road that intertwined the various areas Hawk’s brother had already established before his death. Even as I attempted to ignore her, at least at first, I couldn’t take my eyes off the gorgeous cowgirl. She certainly made my blood boil.
“Something special about my truck?” I asked as quietly as possible.