Her Bareback Cowboys Read Online Free PDF Page B

tremor ran though her at his touch. “Lassos?”
    He stopped mid-stride and turned her to face him. “Hell, woman, don’t tell me you have no idea what a lasso is?”
    She shook her head. “Hmm-mm, remember I’m a South African city girl. What I know about horses would leave space on the surface of a microchip.”
    He threw his hands theatrically in the air. “Good Lord, we’ll have to demonstrate their uses when we’ve worked them a bit.” His eyebrows wiggled suggestively and a slow smile spread over his lips.
    Adrian’s insides turned to jelly. “Okay.” She ducked from under his embrace and walked to the porch. “You must be tired by now. Dinner will be ready by six if you want to take a nap.”
    Maverick reached for the handle and held the door open. “Nope, I found the best way to acclimatize is to get into the daily rhythm of the place you’re at. If I sleep now, my body will tell me I need to keep sleeping for at least eight hours. So, let’s get something to drink, light the fire in the lounge and get to know one another a little bit better.”
    It was the getting-to-know-one-another part that scared the light right out of her camera’s flash. The more she learned about them, the harder it would be to resist their charms. Maverick followed her into the house, the heat from his body scorching her and tingling her senses. In the narrow, dimly lit passage, his scent enveloped her, making her want to inhale deeply to store the smell like she saved her photos on the memory card.
    Damn, Adrian, you’re pathetic.

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    They found Wade crouching in front of the fireplace. A wisp of smoke curled lazily into the chimney while he stacked bigger logs on the heap of tinder. The smell of eucalyptus drifted into the room. Maverick strolled to the bar and examined the contents as Adrian walked to the window. With the sun low on the horizon, the temperature had dropped significantly and she hugged her arms across her breasts.
    “What can I get you guys?” Maverick asked.
    Wade didn’t hesitate. “Whisky for me, please.”
    Adrian turned away from the window. Wade had finished building the fire and the flames licked greedily at the dry wood. He’d dragged the couches closer to the flames and joined Maverick at the bar.
    “Adrian?” Maverick enquired.
    She waved her hand. “Any red wine will do, please.”
    After receiving her drink, she sat on the couch closest to the fire. The men settled in the folds of the oversized chairs and stared into the fire. They appeared pensive, like they were homesick. She’d like to know what made them happy, what angered them—all in order to plan her photos, of course. She pointedly ignored the voice in her head whispering that she was fooling herself. After toeing off her shoes, she pulled her feet under her.
    “Tell me about your life in Houston.”
    Wade leaned in his seat, his discomfort evident. “We’re normal cowboys who happen to be lucky on the rodeo circuit.” He nodded in Maverick’s direction. “Maverick’s family owns a ranch outside Houston while my parents now live in town. I’m an only child. Both Maverick and I are unmarried.”
    “Where did your parents live before they moved to town?”
    Wade chuckled. “You’re not missing anything, are you?”
    She shook her head. “You said they live in town now , so I assume it wasn’t always the case.”
    “They only moved to town about two years ago. Dad was a foreman on Maverick’s family’s farm, but he decided to retire when he turned seventy. I’m sure he wanted to work until he keeled over, but he was afraid it would look as if Maverick’s dad took advantage of an old man.” He pointed to Maverick. “His dad is running for senator and any whiff of a scandal could be detrimental to his career.” The smile in his voice removed the sting from his words.
    That’s why the men knew each other so well. She could picture them growing up together and wreaking havoc on the farm.