Crazy for Lovin’ You by Teresa Southwick Read Free Book Online

sure had nothing to do with a dunking in the pool. What was she worried about? And why did it bother him that she was?
    â€œI haven’t decided where I’m going to put you,” he said honestly.
    She tightened her hold. “Have you changed your mind about seeing or talking to anyone named Stevens?”
    â€œWhat?” He had no idea what she meant.
    â€œThat night, when I pushed you in the pool. You flat out said you wanted nothing to do with Jen or me because—”
    â€œYour last name is Stevens,” he finished.
    He’d forgotten about that. Taylor hadn’t. Obviously he’d hurt her a lot. She’d said she loved him, but she was only fourteen at the time. Had he been her first crush? He knew how long it had taken him to get over his first love. No doubt Taylor was over her first, too. Because a woman like her would have guys trailing after her like coyotes after a lost calf. But the idea wasn’t as comforting as it should have been.
    â€œTo answer your question,” he said. “I don’t mind being friends with anyone. Pure friendship is a beautiful thing.”
    â€œPure?” she asked.
    â€œYeah, you know. When a person likes you for yourself and not what you can do for them.”
    Jen had been his first lesson. She’d wanted him because her father disapproved. On the rodeo circuit, women came on to him because he was earning the big bucks and that made him famous. He’d finally learned that they pretended to care about him because they wanted their ten minutes of fame by association and what that could net.
    For Taylor, it was a thumbs-up on her ranch for the rodeo site and the subsequent publicity to kick off her dude ranch. The only thing that made her different from the others was that she was up-front about it. But he would be a fool to let any appeal she might have amount to a hill of beans. No one had ever cared about him for himself. Why should he believe that she was different?
    â€œI know how the real world works.” He set her down. “I’m not a green kid anymore.”
    â€œNeither am I,” she said, backing away. She pulled in a big breath and let it out.
    â€œDo you have any idea how heavy soaking wet jeans are?” he asked. “And boots full of water? I could have drowned.”
    â€œYou deserved it. And more,” she said. “After what you said to me. There were kids around the pool. They laughed when—”
    â€œWhat?” he prompted.
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter. I managed on my own.” He always had and always would.
    â€œI knew that before I walked away.” She let out a long breath. “So I guess I don’t have to wonder anymore whether or not you remember that pool moment,” she said, trying to smile. “The question is, do you really believe it’s water under the bridge as you so eloquently put it? Or are you going to hold it against me?”
    He would like to hold himself against her. She’d felt good in his arms and, in spite of his self-warning, he missed her warmth and softness and the way she’d clasped her arms around his neck. But if he told her as much, he’d best wait until the pool wasn’t so close. If history repeated itself, she wouldn’t hesitate to push him in. He grinned, realizing in addition to her other charms, he especially liked her flash and fire.
    â€œYou mean am I going to hold it against you by turning down your request to hold the rodeo on your ranch?”
    â€œDon’t play dumb, Mitch. Of course that’s what I mean. I need a big event. I need the publicity and it has to be within my budget to make this place pay.”
    â€œGot it,” he said, trying to ignore the way her earnestness brought a flush to her cheeks as if a man had just made love to her.
    â€œAnd this is your chance, Mitch.”
    â€œWhat?” he asked, pulling back from that sensual vision. “What are you