Read Online When Last We Loved by Fran Baker - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Fran Baker
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concern to you— ”
“They may be.” Hoyt interrupted her tirade. “As I remember, you do have a bad habit of jumping to conclusions.”
“And you have a bad habit of interfering in people's lives,” she reminded him.
“I hate to waste your precious time or pique your nasty temper again, but I will point out that it takes two willing people to have an affair.” His blue eyes blazed. Then he smiled. “And you used to be a very willing person.”
Cassie felt the scarlet heat flood into her cheeks.
“Well, that's changed, in case you haven't noticed.” Her heart pounded frantically, but she used every ounce of willpower she had to keep a casual tone. “I'm enjoying every second of my new life and I don't regret leaving Coyote Bend— not one iota.” She gave a slight shrug, as though confirming her point. “We seem to be at a stalemate here, Hoyt, because we have absolutely nothing further to discuss. So just get out of my life and leave me alone.”
“You're right. Your affairs aren't any of my business— at least not yet.” Hoyt pulled on the leather glove that would protect his hand from bridle burns during his ride.
“Not yet— and not ever.” She tried to push past him in the direction of the arena, but he pulled her up short.
Those ecstasy-washed memories hung in the corners of her mind like old cobwebs. She shivered, remembering the feel of his body against hers, the primitive ache that had swelled inside of her whenever he was near. The shape and texture of Hoyt's lean frame were as familiar to her as her own body. But as real as their passion had been, it wasn't enough to overcome the differences that yawned between them like the canyons that carved the Panhandle.
“I want to help you, Cassie.” Those astoundingly blue eyes— she'd tried to forget how striking they were— held her spellbound. “I can help you, if you'll let me.”
“I told you once before that I intended to do this on my own.” Her voice was tight with anger. If she didn't get away from him, the past was going to spill into the present, and she'd be right back where she'd started— trapped. “I'm quite capable of handling my own career. As a matter of fact, I think I've managed to do a pretty good job of it Everything I have, I've earned. And I'm pretty damned proud of that.”
“Congratulations,” Hoyt drawled. His concentration seemed fixed on adjusting the fit of his cowhide glove, but Cassie knew he was on top of the situation. “Now, if you could only manage to keep quiet long enough for me to get a word in edgewise, I'll tell you how I'm going to help. Are you interested in working the Petroleum Club?”
If Hoyt had dropped his pants and started whistling “Dixie,” Cassie couldn't have been more stunned. The Petroleum Club was the prime showcase in Dallas!
“What's the catch?” Caution wagged a finger. She knew he was capable of tying up his offer with a maze of strings that would make a cat's cradle seem uncomplicated.
“Let's call it a compromise,” he suggested. “I'm in the process of expanding the Diamond T's holdings. If you'll shake Allen Ingram and the Texas Twisters so that I can manage your career, I'll book you into the Petroleum Club.”
“You must be joking! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.” She laughed, a short, curt sound. “Allen gave me my first break, and I happen to enjoy working with the Twisters. Forget it.”
“Your loyalty to those amateurs is admirable but foolish, Cassie,” he warned. His sapphire eyes were as hard as stones, and she realized how seriously he must have considered his offer before he'd made it. “Ingram hasn't drawn a sober breath in years, and he's as crooked as a dog's hind leg. Neither you nor your band is underhanded enough to outsmart him. You're all going to wake up in the gutter some morning wondering what it was that hit you the night before.”
“Tell me, Hoyt, what's prompted this generous offer that you're making?
“They may be.” Hoyt interrupted her tirade. “As I remember, you do have a bad habit of jumping to conclusions.”
“And you have a bad habit of interfering in people's lives,” she reminded him.
“I hate to waste your precious time or pique your nasty temper again, but I will point out that it takes two willing people to have an affair.” His blue eyes blazed. Then he smiled. “And you used to be a very willing person.”
Cassie felt the scarlet heat flood into her cheeks.
“Well, that's changed, in case you haven't noticed.” Her heart pounded frantically, but she used every ounce of willpower she had to keep a casual tone. “I'm enjoying every second of my new life and I don't regret leaving Coyote Bend— not one iota.” She gave a slight shrug, as though confirming her point. “We seem to be at a stalemate here, Hoyt, because we have absolutely nothing further to discuss. So just get out of my life and leave me alone.”
“You're right. Your affairs aren't any of my business— at least not yet.” Hoyt pulled on the leather glove that would protect his hand from bridle burns during his ride.
“Not yet— and not ever.” She tried to push past him in the direction of the arena, but he pulled her up short.
Those ecstasy-washed memories hung in the corners of her mind like old cobwebs. She shivered, remembering the feel of his body against hers, the primitive ache that had swelled inside of her whenever he was near. The shape and texture of Hoyt's lean frame were as familiar to her as her own body. But as real as their passion had been, it wasn't enough to overcome the differences that yawned between them like the canyons that carved the Panhandle.
“I want to help you, Cassie.” Those astoundingly blue eyes— she'd tried to forget how striking they were— held her spellbound. “I can help you, if you'll let me.”
“I told you once before that I intended to do this on my own.” Her voice was tight with anger. If she didn't get away from him, the past was going to spill into the present, and she'd be right back where she'd started— trapped. “I'm quite capable of handling my own career. As a matter of fact, I think I've managed to do a pretty good job of it Everything I have, I've earned. And I'm pretty damned proud of that.”
“Congratulations,” Hoyt drawled. His concentration seemed fixed on adjusting the fit of his cowhide glove, but Cassie knew he was on top of the situation. “Now, if you could only manage to keep quiet long enough for me to get a word in edgewise, I'll tell you how I'm going to help. Are you interested in working the Petroleum Club?”
If Hoyt had dropped his pants and started whistling “Dixie,” Cassie couldn't have been more stunned. The Petroleum Club was the prime showcase in Dallas!
“What's the catch?” Caution wagged a finger. She knew he was capable of tying up his offer with a maze of strings that would make a cat's cradle seem uncomplicated.
“Let's call it a compromise,” he suggested. “I'm in the process of expanding the Diamond T's holdings. If you'll shake Allen Ingram and the Texas Twisters so that I can manage your career, I'll book you into the Petroleum Club.”
“You must be joking! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.” She laughed, a short, curt sound. “Allen gave me my first break, and I happen to enjoy working with the Twisters. Forget it.”
“Your loyalty to those amateurs is admirable but foolish, Cassie,” he warned. His sapphire eyes were as hard as stones, and she realized how seriously he must have considered his offer before he'd made it. “Ingram hasn't drawn a sober breath in years, and he's as crooked as a dog's hind leg. Neither you nor your band is underhanded enough to outsmart him. You're all going to wake up in the gutter some morning wondering what it was that hit you the night before.”
“Tell me, Hoyt, what's prompted this generous offer that you're making?
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