Valentine's Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page A

She didn’t need to see this state of his. But it definitely intrigued her that she couldn’t seem to stop looking that way now. This wasn’t right! He’s wrong! Wasn’t he ? She tried to dig deep into her mind for an image of a naked woman. She needed something to distract her from the sinful, delicious thoughts of what this handsome alpha male could do to her. Nada. All she could picture was the sheet slipping from Sam Thompson’s firm grip. What everything south of that sheet would look like. Oh, and she’d seen it only moments ago. How could she have forgotten? Well, she hadn’t. And that was the problem.
    “Maybe you should go get dressed.” She met his gaze and hoped he would race from the room to do so. She didn’t need this temptation any longer.
    Of course, being a typically stubborn male, he didn’t move. Instead he faced his sister. “What’s the plan for today?” he asked casually.
    Shelby glanced from Sam to Valentine, something mischievous sparking in her eyes. She reached out a hand to help Valentine off the sofabed. “I’ve got a replacement key for you. So, before we discuss the plans for the day, you can go back to your condo. Get cleaned up, get dressed, down a dozen or so cups of coffee.”
    “Coffee! I’d kill for a cup of coffee,” Valentine said on a sigh. “And a full bottle of aspirin. Or a hit man for the guy using a jackhammer in my head.”
    “I bet you would,” Sam said with amusement in his tone. “I think I’ve got some Tylenol.” He walked off to his bathroom.
    “He’s really not so bad,” Shelby said, in an attempt to defend her brother.
    Valentine nodded, which made her headache worse.
    He returned, tapped out a couple of pills, and handed them to her. Her palm tingled where his fingers touched it. He sucked in a surprised breath and grumbled, “You might consider staying away from mai tais in the future.”
    “I might.” Valentine’s gaze darted to where his sheet had inched down to belly button level. She swallowed hard.
    “Still think you’re…” He didn’t finish the question, merely raised an eyebrow, and tugged the sheet higher. They both knew what he implied.
    Unable to answer, face on fire once again, she raced with her new condo key in hand for the door.
     
    * * *
     
    Sam sat in one of the chairs around a small white wrought iron table on his balcony a short while later and looked unhappily at his sister. His stomach churned from stress. Stress he’d been dealing with for months now, more stress from their current conversation.
    “We don’t want to move back to Kansas. We don’t want to take over the ranch,” Shelby stated firmly. She picked up half of a bagel and spread cream cheese over it. “I wish you’d stop hounding me about it every time we see each other.”
    He tried to calm down by looking at the putting green below his building. Other guests up early like him attempted to putt small balls into various holes on the green. “Such a stupid game, golf. Complete waste of time.”
    She laughed, earning a frown from him. “You think all sports are stupid. You think anything that doesn’t have to do with working practically 24/7 is a waste of time.”
    When he opened his mouth to protest, she shook her head. “I understand where you’re coming from, Sam. I know you’ve had to work hard most of your life, and I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better big brother.”
    He shifted uncomfortably in the patio chair. He wasn’t used to praise from anyone. He simply did what had to be done. He’d always functioned that way. Feeling awkward, he sipped on the coffee she’d made them while he’d called the ranch to check in. As usual the men were working hard. Jake had assured him everything was okay and told him to forget about his responsibilities for once in his life, as if he could. His friend had all but ordered him to just relax and have a good time.
    Staring at the people laughing