Years of riding had obviously made her feel completely at home in the saddle.He doubted she was the least bit worried about falling off.He’d spent a little more time on Hyper this afternoon, and he’d been constantly worried about falling off.With good reason.He had bruises on top of bruises.
Wondering if he’d ever achieve that relaxed look on a horse, he studied the way Jo sat and how she gripped with her thighs.Then he had to stop studying her.Focusing on her while her thighs were open and her hips rocked gently in response to the horse was not a good idea.
He’d really done himself in this time.He couldn’t back out of his agreement because Jo might lose the ranch and he’d feel guilty for not helping her.Yet the longer he stayed at the Bar None the more desperately he wanted to make love to her.Tomorrow was the rodeo and dance, and by Sunday he’d probably need to hit the road.His head understood perfectly that he should keep his hands off of her until then.The rest of him wanted to argue.
Thinking about Jo had screwed up his usually excellent concentration on the task at hand.Consequently, as she’d returned to the ranch, he had yet to rope the post.Fred had told him not to quit until he lassoed that sucker at least once, and he’d begun to wonder if he’d be out here after dark with a flashlight, still trying after everyone else had turned in.He wanted to have some roping ability in case something came up during the rodeo, but he seemed to have no talent for it.
Then he had an inspiration.Squinting at the post, he imagined it was Jo standing there, daring him to throw a loop around her.The concept took some effort, because Jo had interesting curves that the post lacked and a waterfall of fragrant hair and...okay, so the concept tooktremendouseffort.But finally he stared at the post so long it became Jo—saucy as you please, head thrown back, a taunting look in her brown eyes, a smile on those full lips.
Quinn took a deep breath.Now this he could get into.Twirling the rope over his head, he concentrated on the image of settling a rope around those lovely shoulders and pulling Jo closer and closer and...Flick.He sent the rope sailing as he’d done a hundred times this afternoon.And he roped the post.
Better yet, Jo had seen him do it and had called out some encouragement.Of course she also had to mention that the post wasn’t moving, a fact he knew very well.He had to perfect this stage before he could advance to moving targets.
He decided to try again.This time he added an embellishment and imagined Jo standing in the corral, impudent as hell, with no clothes on.He roped the post even more competently than before.Apparently all he needed was the appropriate goal.Smiling, he loosened the rope from around the post and coiled it again.
“Looks like you made some progress this afternoon.”
Quinn turned to see Jo walking into the corral.In a few seconds she’d be the same distance from him as the post, but a little to the left of it.
“I’m learning.”He built his loop and swung it over his head again.“It’s harder than I thought it would be.”
“Chances are nobody will expect you to perform tomorrow.”
“I know, but I’d still like to have the basics down.”He twirled the rope and thought about his next move.If he missed he’d look really stupid.So he wouldn’t miss.
“I hate to tell you, but the basics won’t do you much good if somebody wants you to demonstrate your roping skills.They’ll expect you to rope something alive, not a post planted in the ground.”
“Maybe all I need is a little more practice.”He turned toward her, took a split second to gauge the distance and tossed the loop.
She stared at him, openmouthed, as the loop dropped over her head.
Using every new skill he’d gained, plus some instinct he didn’t know he had, he pulled at exactly the right moment, and the rope tightened around her arms, pinning them to her body.With a quick movement he cinched it.
“Quinn!”
Keeping the line taught, he went hand over hand toward her, watching her intently the whole way.She did her best to look indignant, but the effect was spoiled by the eagerness in her eyes.Finally he stood next to her.“How’s that?”
“Very clever, Monroe.”Her breathing was quick, urgent.“You can let me go now.”
“I guess I could.”He kept the rope taut with one hand while he pulled the glove off his other hand with his teeth.He loved the way her eyes darkened and flashed as she watched him.He tucked the glove in his belt.“Then again, I’ve never roped a woman before.Shouldn’t I get a prize for that?”
“I’ve never heard of one.In Montana the men don’t generally go around roping women.”
“Maybe they should try it.”He’d acted on impulse, not realizing how secluded the corral was.Benny and Fred would have no reason to pass on their way to the house for dinner.“It gets the women hot.”He took off her hat and set it on the post.Then he took off his and dropped it on top of hers.
“Does not.”
He loosened the scarf from her hair, pulled it over her curls and stuffed it in his back pocket.“Does, too.”He brushed his knuckles over her throat and down the V in her blouse, taking great satisfaction in the shiver he produced.“You want me to kiss you so bad you can hardly stand it.”
“Listen to you.”She sounded breathless.“One lucky toss and your head’s swelled up like a balloon.”
“That’s not the only part of me swelling up, honey-bunch.”He tunneled his fingers through her hair and cupped the back of her head.“But I have the feeling you’re getting mighty stirred up, too.”
Her lips parted in anticipation.“Your macho routine doesn’t do a thing for me.”
He leaned closer, keeping his grip firm on the rope.“Oh, I think it does.”
“Wrong,” she whispered.
