Cowboy Payback Read Online Free PDF Page B

regret the decision. He was turning into a mighty pain.
    As the mighty pain leaned around her to open the door, Trisha’s mind registered heat and strength, while her body enjoyed the brush of hard, solid muscles. Squashing those thoughts, she stepped into the cabin and gasped. The outburst was drowned out by the thud of her bag hitting the floor, followed by the sound of the door slamming shut.
    “I’m gonna kill Finn,” the captain growled from behind.
    She staggered forward, and gazed around the beautiful log room with a vaulted beamed ceiling and tasteful, rustic decor. A carved wood seating area with plush, hunter green cushions faced the stone fireplace situated directly across from an open, modern kitchen. In front of the fireplace sat a table set with red linen, a vase of roses, and the most delicious smells coming from two entrées.
    The cabin was warm and inviting, but that wasn’t why she’d gasped—there were nearly a hundred lit candles scattered throughout the place, along with a trail of rose petals leading to a bed.
    One.
    Very.
    Big.
    Bed.
    Trisha’s pulse tripped. She wasn’t going to think about the big bed. Or her captain in the big bed. Naked. Wearing nothing but that darn sexy-as-sin brown Stetson. Nope. She wasn’t that stupid.
    Instead, she turned her attention to the nightstand where a bottle of champagne sat chilling on ice with two flutes, and close by, amongst the rose petals on the bed, sat a basket with a big red bow.
    Great, her attention was back on the bed again.
    She needed to have a heart-to-heart with her restraint. Still, she had to admit, the whole scene was very romantic. Too bad it was wasted on them.
    She turned to her silent C.O. and promptly burst out laughing; she’d never seen Captain Brennan look so put out. He was usually the one in control. The one playing jokes. Giving commands. Leading the way.
    My God, his brother is too much.
    As her laughter bounced off the beams, the captain stared at her like she’d flipped her lid, which only made her laugh harder.
    Trisha grabbed her stomach and sank onto the nearest chair. It had been one heck of a roller coaster day, but this was the icing.
    She wiped her eyes and tried to stand. Her legs shook, but she managed. “What in the world did you do to your brother, sir? And don’t sugarcoat it.”
    The captain blinked. “What?”
    “Come on, sir. I have four older brothers, remember? I practically have a degree in sibling rivalry, and I know Finn would not have gotten this elaborate over a small prank you pulled on him.”
    Her fake fiancé opened his mouth, then clenched his jaw and shook his head. “It was nothing.”
    “Liar.”
    His gaze shot to her. “Surely, you’re not calling me a liar, Corporal .” In three strides, he stood toe to toe, glaring down at her like she was a new recruit in need of discipline. “I don’t lie.”
    She’d seen many a soldier break under the Brennan brand of intimidation. Her insides quaked, but she stood her ground. She was no new recruit.
    Shoulders straight, chin lifted, she spoke her mind. “Then you’re lying to yourself, sir. Apparently, whatever it was you did to your brother was bigger than you thought it was.”
    Confusion clouded his gorgeous blue gaze.
    “Okay.” She chuckled. “I’m not sure what I just said, but I do know what I meant, and I think you do, too, sir.”
    He ripped his hat off, rubbed a hand over his high-and-tight military haircut, then sighed. “It’s not the same,” he finally said, jamming the Stetson back on his head, mouth twisting in disgust as his gaze swept through the cabin. “Come on, Corporal, help me blow out the candles before they burn the damn place down.”
    Trisha nodded and spent the next several minutes dousing flames, wishing it was as easy to put out the ones the captain had started deep inside with that expert kiss. Every time her gaze landed on him, or the bed, they sparked back to life.
    “That should just about to do