A Cowboy for Christmas by Em Petrova Read Free Book Online Page A

After spending the night under Dusty Waite’s burning gaze, she could hardly look at another man.
    “The New Frontiersman.”
    “I’ve never heard of it.”
    “It’s a startup. I’m trying to get off the ground.”
    “Ah.” She smiled at the young man, appreciating his drive. Just then she spotted the familiar knot of fans coming through the crowd, and she knew Dusty would be at the center. Inspiration struck, and she rested a hand on the reporter’s arm. “How would you like to interview Dusty Waite?”
    His face lit. “That would be great! When? I’ll be here anytime you want.”
    “How about right now?” The crowd broke and Dusty walked out like a rock star onstage. In a flash his gaze darted to her hand, still resting on the reporter’s arm.
    She dropped it, a thrill sizzling through her at the mere sight of Dusty. A stupid grin spread over her face, and she quickly staunched it. She could do this—be professional. Her family’s company depended on it. If she scandalized her father by sleeping with their star, she wouldn’t be able to look him in the eyes.
    “Avalee.” Dusty’s drawl seemed more pronounced as he drank in her hair, eyes, lips, lingered on her breasts and traveled slowly to her boots. Then back up.
    “Hi, Dusty. Are you ready for our shoot?”
    “Yeah. Who’s this?” He shot a sideways glance at the reporter.
    “He’s…” She pivoted to the guy. She didn’t actually know his name but couldn’t formulate words to ask as Dusty brushed against her. Slowly. His thigh solid steel against hers.
    “Ross Camden. So nice to meet you, Mr. Waite.”
    “I wish people’d stop calling me that. Just Dusty please.” They shook, and she noted the reporter’s wince as Dusty crushed his hand in his tough grip.
    She touched Dusty’s sleeve. When he fixed his gaze on her, her mental faculties fled. “Ross is with The New Frontiersman. He’d love to ask you a few questions.”
    “Sure.” Dusty didn’t sound a bit happy, but he probably did a lot of PR he didn’t feel like doing. Besides, if she got Ross a good story, maybe he’d go away.
    “Ryan’s all set up for the photoshoot. We just need you back here. Maybe Ross can ask some questions between poses? I know you’re very busy, Dusty.”
    From beneath the brim of his hat, he eyed her. No—glared at her. She felt her brow wrinkle. Either he’d gotten up on the wrong side of the saddle or he was irritated with her. Maybe because she’d chickened out and had Ryan contact him with the time of the shoot. That was a crappy move on her part, but this was precisely why she couldn’t get involved with him again. Business came first.
    At the back of her booth, the bench was waiting with the horse blanket and a grouping of bars and energy drinks. Dusty stirred her carefully arranged display with a big hand.
    “All the Coldspring Canyon bars are there.” She gestured toward the wooden crates on display.
    His lips quirked up at one corner but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. Damn, he was going to be difficult. They couldn’t have good marketing photos with a dead-eyed cowboy.
    “Uh, Ross? Would you mind going to find me a drink?”
    Dusty’s glare enveloped the reporter now.
    Eager as always, Ross strode up to her. “Sure, Avalee. What would you like?”
    “You choose. Here.” She dug a few bills from her pocket. “Get something for yourself too. And Dusty?”
    “I don’t need anything,” he growled.
    Ross nodded and disappeared into the milling crowd. She faced Dusty. “What’s the matter with you?”
    “With me?”
    “Yeah, you’re acting like a grumpy bear.”
    His gaze held her in place and did very bad things to her girl parts. She fought her rising desire to rub against him. “Maybe because you’ve been avoiding me, Avalee.”
    Crap. It was that obvious. “I’ve just been busy here. Getting everything in place and opening day is—”
    He locked his fingers around her wrist and reeled her closer. She dug in her