The Bull Rider's Manager Read Online Free PDF

so.” She held her hand out for Jesse to see the ring.
    “He’s got good taste. How are you going to keep him from divorcing you now that we’ve done the nasty?”
    “But we didn’t.” Barb threw a pillow at him.
    Jesse let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, I’ll tell him our relationship is purely platonic. But don’t expect me to tell anyone else. I’m seen as a rodeo god with a hot chick for a manager.”
    “Jesse Sullivan, you better not be telling people we’re sleeping together.” Barb narrowed her eyes at her bull rider.
    “I’ve never said that. But I can’t be held responsible for what other people think.” Jesse smiled. “Especially when it comes to me and you.”
    • • •
    “Idiot,” Hunter muttered.
    The hotel clerk looked at him, eyes wide. “I’m sorry, sir, sometimes these computers take a little time to finish the process.”
    “No, I mean, I’m sorry, I was talking about myself.” Hunter shook his head.
    The young girl at the desk frowned, her hand hovering near the phone, ready to call security if this crazy man tried something.
    Hunter put on his marketing smile. “You ever give your heart away too early in a relationship?”
    The girl’s shoulders dropped and she nodded. Grabbing the printout from the printer under the counter, she gave him a pen to sign the bill. She smiled up at him. “All the time.”
    Hunter signed the paper, took his copy, and folded it into his jacket pocket. He nodded to the clerk. “Then I’m in good company.”
    “I hope the rest of your weekend goes better.” The girl said. “Too bad you’re leaving so soon. The rodeo’s in town. That’s always a good time.”
    Unless Barb Carico was in the same town with Jesse Sullivan. Hunter smiled at the girl and headed to the taxi stand. He’d called the airport and there was a flight to Boise later this afternoon. He could have stayed in his hotel room, but once he’d seen Jesse crawl out of Barb’s shower, he didn’t want to be in the same town as the creep, let alone the same hotel. Jesse had taken advantage of a very drunk Barb that Hunter had gently poured into her bed last night, untouched.
    And from the look on Barb’s face when she first saw him in the hallway, she hadn’t known whom she’d slept with last night. She must have figured Hunter was the one taking a shower when he’d knocked on her door.
    If he hadn’t been a complete and utter gentleman last night, he could have been that man. He was her husband after all. At least until his lawyer could get this mistake annulled. But he hadn’t wanted to take advantage of the oh-so-drunk Barb, even though their chemistry and her kisses shot him from zero to sixty in one touch. He’d wanted her. And from the way she’d kissed him, the feelings were mutual.
    So why was Jesse in her hotel room right now instead of him?
    “Because you’re an idiot,” he said again. This time, no one was around to hear him. He waved down a taxi, shoved his bag into the trunk, and slipped into the back seat. “Airport.”
    The cabbie nodded and Hunter leaned back on the seat, not looking at the hotel disappearing from view.
    • • •
    Four P.M. and Hunter was on his fifth cup of coffee. He’d picked at a lunch he’d bought at one of the chain restaurants in the airport, not wanting to eat, but he didn’t have anything else to do. His plane didn’t leave for another two hours. He’d bought a book at the gift shop, picking up Kati a stuffed horse with Las Vegas stitched on the blanket. Kati was horse crazy and already taking riding lessons. He’d thought she’d want ballet or piano, but when he asked, all she’d wanted was her own horse and saddle. At seven, the girl was focused and determined. And slow to smile. But when she rode, her face relaxed and she really, truly smiled.
    He’d been right to put Kati first. The girl needed stability. Not women traipsing in and out of his life. Especially women like Barb whose job took her out of town