Rough and Ready Read online

  Robyn tiptoed around the room, looking for anything off limits. She didn’t know what she expected to find, but when she saw a shoe box in the top shelf of his closet, she immediately reached for it. It was heavy, so she knew it contained more than an extra pair of shoes. She sat on the edge of his bed and carefully opened the lid. There was an assortment of old fringed photos and small trinkets inside. It was difficult to see with the minimal light. She picked up a silver belt buckle, holding it in the direction of the window to get a better look. Many of the pictures featured a beautiful, dark-haired woman. Her heart sank a bit, knowing his heart probably belonged to her, but she was being ridiculous, of course. Maybe she really did have fairy tale sickness.

  She continued to rummage through the contents. There was a small jewelry box. Inside was an intricately designed ring, either silver or white gold encrusted with tiny diamonds. She studied it absently, wondering who it belonged to or who it was intended for. A bang from downstairs gave her system a jolt. Robyn panicked as she tried to get everything back into the box in record time. She jumped to her feet and reached up to get the forbidden treasure back on the top shelf.

  “Looking for something?”

  Fuck! The voice was impossibly deep, the essence of a man. She wasn’t sure if she should be terrified or turned on.

  She whirled around after barely getting the shoebox back into place. Parker was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t look angry, but not amused either. How had he gotten upstairs so fast?

  “I–I was looking for a lantern. Yukon told me to check every room…” She was still breathless and not concealing the fact very well.

  He still hadn’t moved. “Did you have any luck?”

  She shook her head slowly, feeling like a naughty child caught in the act. He was dripping wet, his hair pushed casually off his face. He was striking, a man with intensity and presence. When she didn’t speak, he proceeded to unfold his arms and enter the dim room.

  Parker slowly tugged the soaking shirt up over his head, tossing it in a hamper near his bed. His muscles looked strained and defined, glistening from the moisture. She couldn’t stop staring, wishing she could lick those drips of water off his skin. When he turned away, she noticed his back was wide and lean-muscled, marred with scars and fresh bruises. He sat down heavily on the end of the bed and pulled off his socks, going about his business as if she weren’t even there. When he stood to unbuckle his belt, she let out an involuntary squeak.

  He froze, directing a glance at her. “Problem?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’ve been working my ass off in that devil of a storm for nearly an hour. I’m cold, I’m wet, and if you haven’t noticed, this is my bedroom.”

  “Oh.” She felt like an idiot. He wasn’t going to hit on her. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She should be thankful he hadn’t called her out for snooping. “I’ll leave you alone then.”

  She bolted in the direction of the door, but Parker moved faster, bracing one arm across the only exit. “I didn’t tell you to leave.” Robyn now noticed the tattooed letters along his inner arm. God, he was drool-worthy.

  “But—”

  They were so close. She’d almost crashed into his chest in her escape attempt. She could even smell him, an all-male scent that made her salivate. “What do you think of me, baby girl?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “How do I compare to men in the city?”

  Did he actually just ask that? “In what way?”

  He smirked, a slight dimple appearing on his cheek. “Not too bright, are you?”

  She scowled. “I’m not going to stroke your ego. The county girls might drool over your muscles or think you’re God’s gift to women, but I know better.”

  Parker ran his tongue over his teeth, staring down at her with a mix of amusement and intensity. “I was talking about my hospitality, but I like where you’re taking things, sugar. God’s gift, eh?”

  Her face heated so hot, her cheeks had to be flushed crimson. She wanted to bite her tongue … right off.

  “No smart comebacks? I’m surprised.” He lowered his arm from the doorway and began to stalk forward, effectively forcing her to walk awkwardly backward. “But, then again, everything about you surprises me.”

  When her back hit the closet door, she gasped. His perfect bare chest was so close, his abs ripped even at rest. Every time he moved, his unfastened belt buckle jangled, and the band of his boxers was visible. Her control was shot because all she wanted to do was reach out and touch him. The urge became more and more undeniable. She thought about Trey from accounting, a temptation she was smart enough to avoid. Parker would require a new level of self-restraint, and she wasn’t even sure any woman possessed that much power.

  “I–I didn’t mean what I said. I mean, it’s not what you think…”

  She looked up to gauge his reaction. He had a gentle smile on his lips, one so irresistible she hoped he’d steal a kiss. Or a hell of a lot more.

  “You have no idea the things I’d like to do to you.” He ran his hand through her hair, a little too rough. This guy was completely no holds barred, and she loved that the political correctness she was used to from men was nowhere to be found. He lowered his head close enough that she could hear him breathing. “You’re everything I should avoid, but I can’t seem to keep you off my mind.”

  You and me both, she thought. She wanted to scream for him to take what he wanted. She’d worry about the repercussions tomorrow. Right now she needed this cowboy all over her. She wanted them naked and so entangled that it would be indistinguishable where one started and the other began. Robyn would never see these country boys again, so why not indulge in the fantasy of a lifetime?

  “Some days I wish I wasn’t such a good brother.” He stepped back, holding his arm open to allow her to exit his room.

  What the hell? “What are you saying?”

  “I know you’re smarter than that. Anyone can see my brother’s crazy about you.”

  She was at a complete loss, trying to piece everything together while tamping down her wild libido. She was wound up tight, ready to jump into bed with Parker, no questions asked—so unlike her. Now Robyn was forced to think about things besides sex, like the other hot guy who lived in the same house. “You’re wrong. I don’t even know him. He tried to hit on me, that’s it.”

  Parker chuckled. “I know Yukon. He’s a love-sick puppy. So have a heart and keep your distance. We both know you have no interest in men like us.”

  Her mouth parted but no words came out. He was actually worried she’d break his brother’s heart? She was the victim in all this—trapped and helpless in a strange little town. God, he made her feel like some perverted, heartless freak from the city. The fact she’d only thought about muscles and broad shoulders since arriving made her feel worse. How could Yukon have feelings from her beyond lust? They were strangers. Love at first sight was a theme from fairy tales, not reality. Or were country boys so hard up for women, they’d grab onto the first one to walk into their dusty town?

  Chapter Eight

  It should have been simple—a quick fuck with a beautiful, willing woman. Only it wasn’t simple at all. He told himself he was taking the higher road, keeping his hands to himself for the sake of Yukon. But since when had he ever passed up an easy piece of pussy?

  This woman had gotten into his head. It was easy to believe he’d avoided her for his brother’s sake, but it was more than that. Somehow he knew Robyn would be his undoing. She brought out his deep-seated insecurities. City women had always treated him like shit when he traveled the circuit, assuming cowboys were brainless and only good for one thing. One in particular had stomped on his heart, making him cautious to this day. People from the city weren’t superior, they were assholes.

  Robyn was different. She might have a fancy suit and high-priced education, but he could see beneat
h the layers. This girl was damaged, insecure, and for some reason she wanted him. He could practically taste her, her desire affecting him like some kind of drug. As much as he wanted her in his bed, she was too complicated. She was from a different world, and he knew getting involved with her would be a mistake. It was better to keep his distance until the damn rain let up so Robyn could get back to her real life.

  Parker was freshening up in the bathroom when the lights snapped on. With the generator kicking in, they could dry out the basement and have the basic necessities. And he’d have to face Robyn again. A war waged in his mind—to give in or stay strong. He’d been mother and father to Yukon for too many years to count. Although he was only two years older than his brother, he’d taken on personal responsibility for Yukon. The least Parker could do was save his little brother the heartache he knew Robyn would give him.

  Their houseguest wasn’t comfortable in her less-than-stellar accommodations, so there was no way she’d be interested in an uneducated cowboy. She’d been stressing about getting back to the city, so there was no point for Yukon to get his hopes up. Any connection they made would be severed as soon as she could get a ride back to her reality.

  He’d just dried his face when Yukon burst into the small bathroom, nearly barreling him down. “Generator’s working!”

  Parker pushed past him. “I kind of figured that one out. With the lights and all.”

  “Well, I sure as hell didn’t expect it to start up so soon. Things are definitely looking up.” Yukon had a goofy smile on his face. He was no doubt dreaming of Robyn again.

  Parker leaned against the door frame, listening to ensure they were alone upstairs. “Listen, Yukon. When she leaves, she won’t look back. A girl like Robyn isn’t meant for country living.” Parker didn’t want to hurt Yukon, but his fantasy needed a dose of reality.

  “You don’t know anything about her,” he snapped.

  “I know her type. She’ll probably fuck anything that walks. That doesn’t make you special.”

  “Why do you always think the worst of everyone? Or is it you just can’t stand to see me happy?”

  He did want Yukon happy, but unlike him, Parker wasn’t so easy to trust. His brother had never ventured out of their closed community, while he’d traveled the circuit and seen the darker side of humanity. Not all women were sugar and spice.

  “I’m just giving you facts. Listen, don’t listen … whatever. Just don’t come bitching to me when you find out I’m right,” said Parker.

  “She’s different. I can feel it.”

  “It still doesn’t mean she’s ready to trade her briefcase for an egg basket. Use your head before you make a mistake you’ll regret.”

  “I’m not a fucking kid, Parker. You don’t need to look out for me. I’ve been with plenty of women, and I’ve yet to shed a tear.”

  That was true. Yukon had taken his fair share of women, local and passing through, to bed. He never wanted anything more than sex, never looked at any of them the way he looked at Robyn. What did it mean? Was it a mid-life crisis?

  Regardless, Robyn had been ready and willing to give Parker a home run, so she couldn’t have special feelings for Yukon. He wished things were different, wished Yukon could find the happiness he deserved. But Robyn wasn’t the answer.

  Robyn started to walk up the stairs, the creak in the fifth step an alarm they both knew well. They’d been trouble to the tenth degree growing up, putting their father through hell and back. When their dad would come upstairs to give them the belt, that same creak turned their blood to ice. Now it was all bitter-sweet memories.

  They both stood still, not saying a word.

  “The power’s back,” said Robyn as she reached the top of the landing. “That’s a good sign.”

  “Hear that hum? It’s just the generator kicking on. The power’s not back to the town yet,” said Parker.

  It pissed him off that Robyn was so anxious to get home when he knew Yukon was ready to sell his soul to make her happy.

  “What can we do?” she asked.

  Parker smirked. There wasn’t much space at the top of the stairs, all three of them only feet apart. “What do you want to do?”

  She looked at him, unblinking, no doubt remembering their time alone. “If we can’t leave, I guess we wait it out.”

  Yukon stepped between them. “You hungry, darlin’?”

  Robyn nodded.

  So, the little princess ate like the rest of them. He doubted she’d be impressed with anything they could offer her. She probably lived off sushi and weird fancy shit, not beef stew and potatoes.

  They made their way downstairs, and Parker was surprised when Yukon led her to the formal dining room. Since their mother died, they’d never used that room. It was frozen in time ever since their father refused to use it, and it became the norm in their home.

  Yukon snapped off the protective sheet from the large wooden table. “Have a seat, Robyn. Don’t worry about a thing.” His brother winked at their guest and shoulder bumped him as he left the dining room.

  Parker gripped the back of Robyn’s chair with both hands, leaning down to whisper in her ear from behind. “Don’t lead him on. Hopefully we’ll have you back on your way soon.”

  ****

  Robyn whirled around in her seat. “Excuse me?”

  “Yukon won’t listen to my warnings, so I’m telling you.”

  She glared at him. Back home, she was invisible compared to the women she worked with. For Parker to think she was some man-eater was laughable. Besides, despite her best efforts, there was something about Yukon that called out to her. If things were different, maybe another lifetime, she could see herself falling for a rugged cowboy like him. But like Shelly had told her, this was reality, and Prince Charming didn’t exist.

  Robyn knew exactly what she needed, and it wasn’t either of these two men. They’d destroy everything she’d worked so hard for. Make her relive a dysfunctional cycle she was trying to break free of.

  “I’m not interested in either of you. If it wasn’t for this storm, I’d be long gone.”

  “My point exactly.”

  She turned back around in her chair, heat creeping up her collar. What an asshole!

  Parker took a seat across from her as Yukon came back into the room.

  “Stew is warming up. Shouldn’t be long,” he said, sitting and folding his hands on the table. He stared at her, the intensity making her feel like she was being stripped, layer by layer. If it wasn’t for the rain breaking the silent hush, she would have been able to hear them all breathing. She knew Parker was watching her, too, judging her every move.

  “So … how long have you been farming?” she asked Yukon. Small talk was better than uncomfortable silence.

  “All our lives. The farm was passed down to us. It’s the only thing we know.”

  She bit her lower lip, thinking of more safe topics. “Do you like it? Farming, I mean.”

  Yukon smiled. “There ain’t much choice in the matter, besides, I’d never abandon the family farm … or our town.”

  “Have you ever been anywhere else?” she asked.

  “No need.”

  “The city’s not what it’s cracked up to be, either. The grass isn’t always greener,” said Parker, chiming in.

  “It’s not so bad. I like the chaos,” Robyn said. “I’d go crazy living out here. It’s too isolated, too quiet.”

  “What you hiding from?” asked Yukon.

  Robyn felt like he could see everything, even her darkest secrets. As far as they knew, she was a perfectly normal woman in their town on business. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Our father always told us that a man afraid of silence is hiding from his demons.”

  She swallowed hard. Robyn didn’t have demons, not really. Her childhood had been fucked up, and she missed the mark as an adult, but that wasn’t the same.

  Or was it?

  She liked the chaos because … she didn’t want to reme
mber anything. And it helped her forget the loneliness.

  “I don’t have demons. I just like a certain lifestyle,” she said, trying to convince herself as much as them.

  Even the rain couldn’t kill the white noise this time. She squirmed in her seat as both men assessed her. Why did she feel like this was an interrogation?

  “What kind of lifestyle is that?” asked Parker. “Everything money can buy?”

  “Maybe,” she snapped.

  “Then I guarantee you, that’s not much at all.” Parker smirked at her. “A little time away from the big smoke might be just what the doctor ordered. Around these parts, our motto is hard work and loyalty.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with me,” she whispered.

  Yukon cleared his throat. “I’ll get the food. That’s a good start to feeling like yourself.” He glared at his brother. Now that he’d mentioned food, she realized how hungry she was. The rich, savory scent hung heavily in the air.

  Alone with Parker again.

  They had a stare off, and she hated how vulnerable he made her feel. And despite the rift between them, he still made her horny. He ran a hand through his damp hair, looking too sexy for an asshole. “Why do you hate me so much? You don’t even know me,” she said.

  He didn’t answer her, but undressed her with his eyes, a slow, sensual assault.

  She whispered harshly so Yukon couldn’t hear them. “And I’m not some kind of whore like you make me out to be. I’m sure you’re both way more experienced than me.”

  “Is that so? Just how many men have you had, Robyn?”

  “That’s none of your business.” She crossed her arms, her jaw clenched down tight.

  He tilted his head to the side. “And still not married?”