Lone Heart: Red Hot Weekend by Delilah Devlin Read Free Book Online

together?” He shrugged. “It’s a gift.”
    Charli set the unopened Coke to the side. “What will make you stop? You do know this can’t go anywhere, right?”
    “Says who?”
    Suddenly breathless, she didn’t respond. She’d been asking herself the same damn question. Why couldn’t they work? He was younger, but not so much anyone would raise an eyebrow. Maybe she didn’t take him seriously because he was so handsome. Someone who looked that good had his pick of women. She was just convenient.
    He leaned closer—so close the brims of their hats nearly touched.
    “Give me a weekend,” he said, his voice a deep, seductive rumble. “If I can’t convince you there’s something between us, I’ll back off.”
    “Not gonna happen,” she whispered, even though her body reacted with emphatic approval, weakening her knees and her will.
    “Drew mentioned he’s going to an auction this weekend…”
    Something she already knew, but had difficulty thinking about, because it opened a slew of sexy possibilities. “He’s not taking you with him?” she asked, pretending nonchalance.
    “Said he’s done it on his own before. He doesn’t need me.” He reached out a hand and cupped her knee. “Come on, you can let down your hair. Have some fun.”
    Have some fun . She didn’t know why those words sent a sharp jolt of disappointment through her. Was she really stupid enough to hope for more?
    Charli stood and brushed off her jeans. “With Drew gone, you’ll be busy. Don’t make any plans. I’m not interested.”
    “Liar.”
    She walked away, shivering with anger. She picked up the reins of her horse and swung up into the saddle, then nudged her mount into motion.
    As she passed the mesquite where Drew sat, finishing his lunch, she leaned down. “I’m not a project, Drew. I don’t know what you think you’re doin’, throwin’ him at me, but I’m not havin’ it—or him.”
    Drew’s expression was unreadable. “You need someone, Charli. He’s not a bad sort.”
    “I don’t need anyone. I didn’t place that ad to find a cowboy to keep me company. I needed someone to help us keep this place afloat.”
    His steady gaze stared back. “Fine. I’ll stay out of your business. But I’m still goin’ to Abilene by myself. I need a little time alone.”
    Since she didn’t know how to respond, she pulled the reins to the side and turned away, heading back to the ranch house. She passed Lonny again, who sat with his back against a gnarled tree now. She refused to read anything into the determined angle of his jaw, although she had the sinking feeling he’d already set his mind to seduction.
    She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Excited, a little sick to her stomach. Her hands shook, but she tightened one around the reins while resisting the urge to press the other against her belly to still the nervous quivers.
    The night she’d let go of her reason and her inhibitions haunted her every time she escaped to her room after dinner. Sitting across the table from Lonny was pure torture.
    His green eyes had a way of looking at her that seemed to take her measure, find her weaknesses. And she knew she was weak when it came to resisting his allure. While she and Drew chatted about their days, Lonny remained silent except when Drew asked him a direct question. And at the end of every meal, he’d praise her cooking, saying something that would harken to their encounter and send color burning in her cheeks.
    “I’ve never tasted muffins quite that good, ma’am. You add some special spice?” Innocent enough if anyone else had said it to her, but the laughter in his eyes made her body tense and her pussy throb with want.
    Lonny Wyatt was a flirt with very naughty intentions. She’d wondered how Drew hadn’t seen it, but maybe he had after all. Maybe he hadn’t put a stop to Lonny’s wicked taunts because he’d seen how she reacted—not with anger, but desire.
     
     
    Friday morning, Charli shut the