NotoriousWoman by Annabelle Weston

fodder to report back to
the Purdys, who would be sure to use it to their advantage.
    “General’s served this ranch for a number of years,” she
replied.
    “Time you brought in a younger bull.”
    “He’ll get the job done.”
    “If you started a new bloodline, your ranch just might
prosper.”
    “Maybe so but I’ve made my decision.”
    Jake was close enough to rub elbows. Kate kept her eyes
straight ahead. She couldn’t risk a repeat of what’d happened last night. They
reached the shed and she was glad he’d not argued.
    “There’s extra rope in the barn,” she told him.
    “You can’t go on like this,” he said so seriously she stopped.
    “What are you saying?”
    He furrowed his brows. “You won’t make it without some
changes.”
    “Really?”
    “Mr. Purdy might give you stock on credit. Especially with
me running things.”
    Where had he gotten that idea? “You’re mistaken, Jake. I’m
the boss around here.”
    He tipped his hat. “Yes ma’am.”
    They stood toe to toe. Why were they at each other’s throats
one minute and stealing kisses the next?
    She smiled to show no hard feelings. “My father was
old-fashioned. He didn’t like owing his neighbors and friends—even in hard
times.”
    He shook his head. “These are hard times all right.”
    “I’ve tried to follow his example, although it isn’t always
easy.”
    That’s all Jake needed to be told. She was plenty stubborn
and she’d made up her mind.
    They continued their walk to the barn.
    “All my bull needs is some doctoring. I’ll give him a dose
of Epsom salts and see if that doesn’t perk him up.” She glanced at him
sideways. She could’ve sworn he was holding his breath to keep from bursting
out laughing.
    “You’re the boss.”
    “I intend to sell some of the stock,” she said, ignoring his
sarcasm, “for the cash we need to get through the winter.”
    He scratched the back of his neck. “This time of year?
You’ll not get a good price.”
    “That can’t be helped.”
    “Will it be enough?” he asked.
    She didn’t answer. It was none of his business. “Jolie and I
will get by,” she said. “Just you wait and see.”
    “If it’s a matter of my wages, I can wait.”
    “I appreciate the offer,” she said, “but I’m going to take
the stock to auction. The money they bring will be enough to cover your pay.”
    “You’ll get no argument from me,” he said.
    “Good,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll need your help
delivering them.” She realized she was asking him for a commitment. The auction
over in Sylmar was four weeks from today.
    A broad grin curved his lips. The lips that had devoured
hers without any reservation. “I’m your man.”
    She stood tall and smiled back. Not so long ago, she might
have wished he was saying that for other reasons. She couldn’t be that woman
anymore. At least not in a serious sense. Kate couldn’t help wanting Jake to be
hers for other things…like kissing. And as sinful as it was—sex. Yes, truth be
told, she wanted him. The way he’d branded her with his lips and tongue in the
bunkhouse had stayed with her. Disturbed her. Made her have hot, sweaty dreams
where his bare chest touched hers and she spread her thighs wide for him.
    Her eyes met his, and from the flash of desire mirrored in
his gaze, she knew he saw her for what she was. A wanton. And she didn’t care.
“Thanks.”
    “Don’t mention it. That’s what I’m here for.” His gaze said
what his words didn’t—that he was here for more than branding cows.
    Acting purely on instinct and an intense craving to feel him
close, Kate grabbed Jake’s hand and pulled him inside the darkened barn. She
was surprised he let her do it but didn’t let that stop her. She pressed him
against the wall, his face in shadows.
    “Don’t say anything,” she demanded before lifting on her
tiptoes and kissing him.
    Jake growled in the back of his throat, reached his arms
around her, gripped her buttocks and