Tangled in Divine(Divine Creek Ranch 14)(16)

Don’t be tempted. You have a ranch to win back. Everything else pales in comparison to your dream. Remember?

Chris paused in his efforts to tap his phone screen and then cradled the cell phone between his ear and his massive shoulder as he continued loosening lug nuts. When the call connected he said, “Hey. I found Gwen for ya. Yeah. Angel’s coming to get her and she’s going out to Teresa’s place at the ranch.” After a brief pause he chuckled and added, “Yeah, I’ll tell her, with pleasure.” He glanced at her, chuckling as he ended the call and held it out to her. “Input your number in my phone and see if you can’t locate your phone. When you’re done, you can erase the number. Although I wouldn’t call you unless I knew you welcomed it. I’m a gentleman…usually.”

She chewed her lip as she took the phone from his warm hand. “What did Julián ask you to tell me?”

“He said when he gets a hold of you, he plans to spank your sweet little ass until it turns hot pink.” At her gasp, he held up his hand defensively. “Don’t shoot the messenger, Elmer. Although I’ll admit I’d gladly help him.” He laughed as her cheeks went up in flames, and then he went back to his labor, whistling a happy tune.

She ignored him as she practically stabbed her fingertips through the screen typing in her number to call her phone. I pity the fool who tries to take a hand to my ass!

Oh yeah? Then explain why that thought just made you wet between the legs.





Chapter Four




Chris tried not to stare at Gwen as she pounded her phone number on the keypad. She was seething. Absolutely furious. And he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Thankfully she ignored him as she walked toward the door on the old, stainless steel horse trailer, which probably led to her little bunk space. If she’d looked at him, she might’ve guessed at what he was struggling to hide. He drank in the lush curves of her thighs and her ass, encased in faded, muddy blue jeans.

She’s perfect. And she’s my best friend’s girl. Doesn’t matter that she probably doesn’t realize that fact yet. But she is.

She was covered up beneath the heavy, oversized barn jacket again, but he had a good idea that more of the same curvaceous perfection was underneath it. His cock had hardened the instant he’d pushed one side of her coat off of her so he could examine her arm. Her warm, womanly scent had gone straight to his head and all he could imagine was lying with her nestled in his arms, his nose pressed to her throat as she slept beside him.

For once, he couldn’t think of anything smart to say. A lump grew in his throat and he longed for a woman he could cuddle up with on a cold night and hold for hours on end. He’d heard of love at first sight and had made fun of his friends and brothers when they’d talked about it and the women they loved. Now he knew how it felt.

“Aha!” she cried and reached into the small sleeping cabin. Stretching like that put her ass on display in a way that made him want to pant and walk up behind her, press himself against her. Yeah, that’d piss her off for sure.

She stood upright again and held up her phone. “It fell into one of my other boots by the bunk. Must’ve slipped from my pocket.” She swiped the screen with a fingertip and then frowned, looking guilty.

Damn, she’s beautiful.

“Did you get a lot of calls?” he asked as he applied himself to the job.

“I haven’t been looking at my calls at all. I turned the ringer off. There are a bunch.”

“People were worried about you, darlin’.”

“I needed time alone.”

“Maybe so, but you scared Teresa, and she—” Not my secret to tell. “I’m sure you’ll work it all out. Julián was pretty worried too.”

“I see that. He left me several voice mail messages.”

“People care about you.”

“I don’t want—never mind.” A diesel pickup rumbled up next to them in the parking lot.

“Sounds like Angel’s here, darlin’,” he murmured, wishing that he’d had more time alone with her. But she needed attention to her hands and she was probably hungry too.

With his dark eyebrows drawn together in a straight line, Angel stepped around the front of her truck and gestured at it with his thumb. “Gwen? What is this? Where’s your rig?” Chris noticed it when Angel’s jaw dropped as he stared at the old truck. “This is your old rig, isn’t it? What the hell?” He appeared disgruntled as he looked it over and then turned and reached for her. Chris frowned when he caught a glimpse of the forlorn look on her face before she was clasped in Angel’s comforting hug. “Tell me what happened.” Chris wished he could be the one she trusted to turn to like that. He looked away when Angel made eye contact with him over her fuzzy hat.