Her Filthy Cowboy (Fit Mountain Cowboys #2)

2. Savannah

Chapter Two

SAVANNAH

The thing about interviews is that they never go according to plan.

Even the ones you expect to be simple. Like this one with Brody.

I’ve known Brody Clayton, his three brothers, and his sister Abigail my entire life. Both of our families have lived in Cooper Hills for generations. And even though there’s been bad blood between our families since before I was born, I thought Brody and I could put that aside for an hour.

But the second Brody swaggered into his kitchen an hour ago looking like walking sex in his tight Wranglers and pearl snap button down that stretched across his chest, I knew I was in trouble.

Big trouble.

Now his damn championship belt buckle is shining into my eyes as I stare up at him, my heart pounding in my ears as his words echo in my head.

He wants to win a night alone with me?

“You’re joking, right?” But I already know he’s serious. That cocky grin of his says it all.

“What’s the matter? Scared you might enjoy it?”

I scoff, trying to ignore the way my body reacts to his proximity. “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you, cowboy?”

Brody chuckles. “Just stating facts, Sullivan. So, what do you say? You in?”

I hesitate, my mind racing. This is crazy. I’m supposed to be a professional. Who the hell makes a bet like this?

But then again…

I’ve always been drawn to Brody, as much as I hate to admit it. Unfortunately for me, growing up, our families’ feud meant we were destined to be rivals. Brody was the typical popular jock when we were in school, surrounded by a gaggle of skinny girls vying for his attention. They hung on his every word, giggling at his jokes and batting their eyelashes.

Sure, there were a few moments when Brody and I put our rivalry aside. Like the time he snuck me into the Clayton family’s annual bonfire in ninth grade. For a few precious hours, the feud melted away and we were just two teenagers, caught up in the magic of the night.

But when the embers died down and the sun began to rise, reality came crashing back in. We went our separate ways and pretended like it never happened. The next day at school, Brody was back to his usual self, strutting down the hallway with a cheerleader on each arm.

And I was back to being Savannah Sullivan, the nerdy journalist and the rival rancher’s daughter.

I can’t help but wonder if this bet is just another way for Brody to tease me. To prove that he can have any woman he wants. Old insecurities start to rise up inside me but I force them back down.

I’m not that shy, insecure girl anymore. I’m a grown woman, and I refuse to let Brody Clayton get under my skin.

“Fine, you’re on,” I reply. “And I hope you’re ready to lose.”

A sexy grin spreads across his face. “Well, well. Looks like my girl’s got some fire in her after all.”

“I’m not your girl.” I snap back. “And I’ve always had fire. You were just too dense to notice.”

Brody chuckles. “Trust me, sweetheart. I noticed.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever. Just don’t cry when I leave you in the dust, Clayton. Remember that time in high school when I beat you by a full length?”

Brody takes a step closer. Suddenly I notice how tall he is, and how his shoulders block out the sun. “Ancient history. I’ve learned a few things since then.”

“Yeah? Like what?”

He leans in close. “How to play the long game. Sometimes, losing the battle means winning the war.”

My heart races, and I struggle to form a witty comeback. Before I can, Brody straightens up and winks.

“Better get ready, Sullivan. Something tells me my luck’s about to change.” He gestures toward the distant tree line. “We’ll race to the old oak at the edge of the property and back. First one to cross this fence line wins.”

I nod, but I’m barely listening. My eyes are drawn to the way his muscles flex as he adjusts in his saddle.

Brody’s voice snaps me back to reality. “You got all that, Sullivan?”

“Yeah, yeah. To the oak and back. Simple enough.”

I swing back up into the saddle. Buttercup snorts and paws at the ground, sensing the tension in the air. I give her a reassuring pat on the neck as we trot over to the starting line Brody has marked out in the dirt.

“Ready?” Brody’s voice holds a hint of challenge.

I nod, gripping the reins tightly. “Ready.”

With a shared nod, we’re off.

The moment my horse breaks into a gallop, everything else fades away. The wind whips through my hair, and the rhythmic pounding of hooves fills my ears.

This—this is what I’ve missed.

New York was exciting, but nothing compares to the rush of racing across open Wyoming land. No towering skyscraper could ever match the majesty of the mountains in the distance, no busy street can compare to the beauty of the wildflowers blurring past.

For a moment, I forget all about Brody and this stupid bet. I’m just a girl on a horse, free and alive in a way I haven’t felt in years.

But as I glance over at him and see the fierce concentration on his face, a small part of me wonders what it would be like to lose. To give in to the attraction that’s been simmering between us for years.

As we round the old oak, and head back toward the finish line, reality comes crashing back. I lean forward and urge my horse faster. But it’s not enough. Brody surges ahead in the final stretch, crossing the finish line mere seconds before me.

Shit.

My heart pounds as I slow to a stop. Brody trots up beside me, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

“And the winner is Brody Clayton!” The smile he gives me is pure sin. “Looks like you’ll be spending the night with me after all.”

I dismount slowly, my legs shaky beneath me. I’m not sure if it’s from the ride or Brody’s words. Probably both.

“You got lucky,” I mutter, avoiding his gaze. “I’m out of practice, that’s all.”

Brody slides off his horse and takes a step toward me. “Luck had nothing to do with it. I won fair and square.”

I finally look up at him, my breath catching at the intensity in his eyes. “Fine. You won. Happy now?”

“Oh, I’m very happy.” He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers linger on my cheek. “Question is, are you?”

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my skin tingles under his touch. “I’m a woman of my word, Clayton. I’ll honor the bet.”

“Mmm. I have no doubt about that.” His thumb traces my lower lip, and I fight the urge to nip at it. “But that’s not what I asked. Obviously, I’m not going to make you spend the night with me if you don’t want to.”

I lick my lips, watching his eyes darken as they follow the movement of my tongue. I decide to play it cool. “Like I said. I’m a woman of my word. I guess you’ll have to wait and see about the rest.”

Brody slides his hand from my cheek to the back of my neck and tangles his fingers in my hair. He tugs gently, tilting my head back. “Guess I will.”

His voice is a low rumble that I feel all the way to my toes. My heart hammers against my ribs as he leans in, his breath hot against my skin.

For a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. I want him to kiss me. But at the last second, he pulls back, a maddening smirk on his lips.

“How about we head over to those trees?” He nods toward a nearby grove. “You can finish up that interview of yours.”

We walk over and settle under the shade of a large oak. Once settled, I pull out my notebook, but the professional fa?ade I’m trying to maintain crumbles as soon as Brody starts talking.

“So, Ms. Sullivan, what else do you want to know about me?”

I clear my throat. “Well, um, you never answered my question from earlier.”

Brody rests his hand on my thigh, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “And what question is that?”

Suddenly, I can’t focus on anything but the heat of his touch seeping through my jeans. Why does he keep touching me like this?

I take a shaky breath, trying to compose myself. “I asked you to tell me something that no one knows about you.”

“Ah, right.” He keeps his hand on my leg as he leans back against the tree trunk. “Well, when I was a kid, I secretly wanted to be a vet.”

That surprises a laugh out of me. “Really? Mr. Rough and Tough Cowboy wanted to take care of animals?”

“Hey, being a vet is a noble profession.” But he’s grinning too. “I’ve always had a soft spot for animals. Used to bring home every injured bird or bunny I found. Drove my Mama nuts.”

“Yeah, I remember you nursing that stray cat back to health when we were kids.” I smile as the memory washes over me. “You were so gentle with her.”

Brody’s smile turns wistful. “Whiskers? Yeah, she was a sweet old girl.”

“What made you change your mind about being a vet?”

He chuckles. “I realized I couldn’t do math worth a damn, so vet school was out. Decided to focus on riding bulls and running the ranch instead.”

I poke him in the side. “And look at you now. A big-time rodeo champ.”

Brody snorts. “Yeah, something like that.” He rubs his thumb in a circle on my thigh and looks over at me. “What about you?”

I blink at him. “What about me?”

“You achieve all your big city dreams out there in New York?”

I look away, suddenly uncomfortable. “Some of them, I suppose.”

“But not all of them.” It’s not a question.

I shrug, still not meeting his gaze. “Life’s complicated, Brody. Things don’t always go according to plan.”

“Is that why you moved back to Wyoming? Because things in New York didn’t go according to plan?”

I sigh. “Pretty much. “I don’t know if you heard, but my dad got sick earlier in the year. Cancer.”

Brody’s hand stills on my thigh. “Damn, Savannah. I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“He’s in remission now,” I say quickly. “But it was touch and go for a while there. I just...I thought it was best for me to come home. Be with my family, you know?”

Brody nods slowly. “I get that. Family’s everything.”

“It really is.” I glance over at him, his profile silhouetted against the afternoon sun. He looks relaxed out here, at home in a way I rarely see him anywhere. “I guess it all worked out in the end, though,” I tell him.

A small smile plays on his lips as his eyes meet mine. “I guess it has.”

About an hour later, the interview wraps up and we head back to the stables.

I swing my leg over Buttercup’s back, ready to dismount, but as I do, the toe of my boot catches in the stirrup. Suddenly, I’m falling, the ground rushing up to meet me at an alarming speed. A startled yelp escapes my lips as I brace for a fall.

But Brody is right there to catch me. “Easy, baby,” he says as he helps me stand upright.

I tell myself he’s like this with everyone, that his flirting doesn’t mean anything. But the intensity in his gaze makes me wonder if maybe there’s more to it than that.

“So, about this bet. How about I pick you up Friday at six?” Brody’s fingers trace circles on my hip, making it hard to focus on his words. “We’ll have dinner, then spend the night at the Fit Mountain Resort. I’ll book us a room.”

My mouth suddenly feels unbearably dry, and my voice comes out as a whisper. “Okay. That sounds fine.”

“Any preferences for dinner?”

Why is he treating this like a date? I thought he just wanted sex. But dinner, a resort... it feels like more.

I shake my head, unable to think about food when all I can focus on is the heat of his body so close to mine. “I’m open.”

Brody’s hand leaves my waist, and I instantly miss his touch. He holds out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

I fumble in my pocket, pull out my phone, and hand it over. Brody flashes the phone at my face, unlocking it with facial recognition. He types in his number and then sends himself a text.

“There,” he says, handing it back. “Now you’ve got my number. Text me if you think of anything during the week.”

I clutch the phone, staring at the new contact on my screen. Brody Clayton. It feels surreal. I swallow hard. “Anything like what?”

Brody leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. “Anything at all. What you want to eat, what you want to wear...” His voice drops even lower. “What you want me to do to you.”

My heart pounds so loud I’m sure he can hear it. I struggle to breathe as he pulls back, his eyes locked on mine.

“See you Friday, baby. Sweet dreams ’til then.” He winks.

As I watch him walk away, his confident stride makes my mouth water.

Ugh.

What have I gotten myself into?