she replied.
âThe hotel is what I want, Monica.â
âLook, Ty, even if you donât want to, Iâm still selling my interest. You see how this alters everything? Iâm not in the picture anymore, so you can drop this whole seduction routine.â
âIs that what you think?â he asked. âThat I was just using you?â
âArenât you?â she asked. âNot that I really mind all that much.â She stepped closer and ran her hands slowly up his chest. âI want this too, Ty.â
He scowled, all his former playfulness fading. âI donât play these kinds of games.â
As much as he wanted to want someone else, Monica was the only woman he desired. Heâd taken her to his house, something heâd never done, making an exceptionâfor her. But even after heâd confessed as much to her, sheâd flat out walked on him the next day. From that morning until the night heâd gotten shit faced, sheâd given him the cold shoulder. Even explaining about Cassie and Delaney hadnât helped. It was as if everything that had happened between them had never taken place. He still couldnât figure out where heâd gone wrong. Hell, heâd never tried so hard with a woman before.
Hands on her shoulders, he backed her toward the door. âIâm sorry for you and me both, but youâre right that things have changed. I need more from you than just sex.â
Her gray eyes widened in disbelief. âI canât believe youâre serious.â
âAs a heart attack, sweetheart.â With mouth compressed, he gently but firmly propelled her out of his room. âMy terms are nonnegotiable. I suggest you sleep on it.â
Cursing the whole while under his breath, Ty closed the door. Instead of a warm, soft bed, he was now looking at an icy-cold shower. Although it sucked, sometimes short-term sacrifice was necessary for long-term gain. As much as he hated to admit it, he still needed Monica.
Â
Feeling as if sheâd been doused with ice water, Monica found herself staring at Tyâs closed door. She couldnât believe his sudden about-face. Was it only last night that heâd begged her to stay with him? But now, when sheâd offered herself on a silver platter, he was discarding her like yesterdayâs leftovers?
The same guy who never committed to anyone expected her to give up a month of her life for him? What was he risking? Nothing. While she had everything to lose. Her feelings for him went well beyond lust, but given his history with women, she just couldnât take that kind of gamble. That thought still did nothing to console her as she lay awake in bed aching with deep, unsatisfied need.
Chapter Five
B leary-eyed from lack of sleep, Ty dragged his sleepy ass out to the kitchen and straight to the coffeepot. Judging by the burned smell, it was already several hours old, but he didnât care. He needed a big dose of something thick and strong to thin the cobwebs in his head.
âHey, Ty. Whenâd you get in?â asked a perky voice that made him shudder.
âEarly this morning,â he answered without turning around.
âThen you drove straight through?â
âYup,â he said.
âI was really sorry to hear about Tom. I know how much he meant to you.â
âThanks, Delaney.â He finally turned to acknowledge her. âNow may I ask what the hell youâre doing here?â Heâd dreaded any encounters with his ex, but he should have known sheâd come by the minute he arrived at the ranch. Here in Oklahoma, she was as unavoidable and inevitable as a springtime tornado.
Setting her cup down, Delaney rose from the table to park herself squarely in front of him. âCame to offer my condolences, of course. Itâs the civilized thing to do.â
He cocked a brow. âSince when do you and me abide by any kinda rules of