Bull By The Horns [Wayback Texas]

Lavender Prouty has always lived in the Texas town of Wayback . Everyone in her family fled , leaving her with her ailing grandmother. She’s so accustomed to denying herself , she doesn’t know how to react when a handsome cowboy flirts with her during a field trip to the fairgrounds.

Taylor Craig hasn’t always been a steer wrestler, but he doesn’t talk about his past. He's made enough money to buy a spread near Big Bend, and he loves the cowboy life. Rodeoing answers his need to wander.

When he meets Lavender, those needs shift. He likes how she treats her class, likes her humor, is intrigued by her shyness. Women are always throwing themselves at him , but now he'll do the chasing.

Taylor’s charm lowers Lavender’s defenses before a series of events, including her mother’s return and the revelation of his past, put her back on guard.

Miniature
(110 pages)Spicy

Excerpt:

His scent surrounded her, his taste filled her, his body, so lean and strong, pinned her. Again and again she saw the flex of his muscles as he threw that steer to the ground. She wound her arms around his neck to comb through his hair and still he didn't touch her. She thought about sliding her hands down his arms and bringing his hands to her body, but realized he was savoring her, taking his time, as if they had some.

So she would do the same, enjoy every minute, every touch, every sensation he awakened in her.

No telling how much time had passed before he eased away, his breathing heavy, eyes a little glassy. She wanted to drag him back but stopped.

"You want to get something to eat?" he asked.

And ruin the perfectly good taste of Taylor in her mouth? Not likely. Ooh, a Taylor diet. Now that held appeal. With a shock, she remembered she was supposed to meet Roxie for a dance lesson. What had she been thinking, an hour away from Taylor? Of course, she hadn't known they'd be making out in his horse's stall.

"I can't. I have to be somewhere."

Disappointment dimmed his grin. "Gertrude?"

"Actually, no. Something else." With every ounce of will she had, she eased toward the stall door, wondering just how debauched she looked. "Will you be at the Blue Bug later?"

Surprise lifted his eyebrows. "Will you? I got the impression you didn't really like it there."

"I'll make an exception for you." She unhooked the latch on the door. "And I'll even let you lead."