hooking his ankles.
Ty stumbled, but kept his footing. “Nice try.”
He grinned at her once she’d straightened and faced him. “Are you going to tell me why you’re still a virgin at…what are you? Twenty-six?”
They each circled, looking for a weak spot.
“Yes, I’m twenty-six and why I’m still a virgin is none of your damn business.” Evan lunged at him, trying to take him off balance.
He used her momentum against her and before she knew what had happened she was flat on her back on the rug. Ty’s body covered hers. He had her pinned.
Evan tried to use her legs to shove him off her, but Ty wrapped his legs around hers, locking them in place. His naked chest pressed against her thin T-shirt, making her very aware of his heat and his sexy smell.
The amused look fled his face, replaced by a serious one when he met her annoyed gaze. “You can tell me now.”
“It’s not important. Let me up.”
Ty peered into her eyes for a long moment as if he debated whether to push the issue. “Not until you say Uncle.”
Annoyed he’d so thoroughly bested her, Evan began to squirm in earnest to be released. Did he have to rub it in?
He just held her tighter. “Go ahead, Evan…say Uncle.”
“No,” she yelled, exerting herself once more.
Ty was amazed at Evan’s tenacity and the stubborn streak that ran through the woman. She felt so good underneath him. Why the hell did she have to be a blasted virgin?
“You’re so damn stubborn. Concede. Say Uncle.”
Anger flushed her face. She shook her head and started to speak as if she were going to say “no” when something in her eyes changed and she said, “Daddy!”
Ty chuckled. “I might be ten years older than you, but ‘Uncle’ will do.”
Then he heard someone clear his throat behind him. Ty glanced over his shoulder to see a tall, broad-shouldered, salt–and-pepper-haired man in his fifties. He stood there with his arms crossed and a deep scowl on his face.
And then Ty saw the morning sunlight reflect off the sheriff’s badge on the man’s chest. If the situation weren’t so damn tense, it’d be funny.
“There better be a damn good reason you have my daughter held to the floor.”
Ty quickly let go of Evan and stood, pulling her to her feet. “Good morning, Sheriff,” he said, extending his hand.
The sheriff ignored his hand and pinned his gaze on Evan. “What are you doing here, Evelyn?”
She walked into her father’s open arms and gave her dad a hug, then peered into his face. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“I’m here on business.” Her dad frowned. When he flicked his gaze to Ty, his frown deepened.
“Me too,” she shot back with a grin.
Ty almost choked when the sheriff’s gaze narrowed.
Evan looked at Ty and then her dad. “Ty, this is my father, Jake Masters. Dad, this is Ty Hudson, Jena’s brother.”
“I know who he is,” her dad said, looking at Ty. “I’m here to tell you we’ve found your stolen rental car. I’ll take you to town, and we’ll get all the paperwork straightened out and release your belongings to you.”
Glancing at his daughter, he continued in a suspicious voice, “Why are you here so early in the morning?”
“Because I’m st—”
“She’s here to look after Harm’s horse,” Ty intervened in a calm tone. The last thing he needed was a sheriff arresting him for living in sin with his daughter.
The sheriff cut his gaze to Evan. “You are?”
She nodded. “I promised Harm I’d look out for Flash until she’s able to go back with the other horses.”
“I hope he’s paying you double-time,” her father grumbled.
She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “But of course.”
The sheriff’s dark brown gaze returned to Ty where he assessed Ty’s half-dressed appearance with clear disapproval. He started to speak again when Evan said, “Why don’t you get dressed, Ty. Then you can follow Dad to town in your rental car and collect your stuff.”
The
Katherine Alice Applegate