THREE WEEKS WITH A BULL RIDER
An Oklahoma Nights Romance
Cat Johnson
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author
“The Oklahoma Nights series is a
must read.”
—New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James
One Broken Man…
Cowboy Jace Mills has suffered fewer injuries from bucking bulls
than he has from his ex-girlfriend. Following his best friend Tucker’s advice,
Jace is convinced it’s time to move on. But with his ex’s tight rein on him,
easier said than done.
One Broken Heart…
Tara Jenkins learned a lot in her sports medicine courses, but not
how to fix her broken heart. So when her brother Tucker suggests using her
skills on the rodeo, it gives her the perfect opportunity to ride off into the
sunset—or at least run away.
Three Weeks Together…
Only problem is, Jace and Tara have had a hate-hate relationship
for over a decade, putting up with each other for Tucker’s sake. With their
long history as frenemies, they know sparks will fly, they just never expect
them to flare into scorching passion…
Excerpt PG-rated
With a huff, Tara spun on the
heel of her cowboy boot, bound for the building. She stepped from behind her
car and into the path of a truck going way too fast for a parking lot. It
skidded in the gravel and rocked to a stop as she leapt back. After a second,
the maniac behind the wheel swung the vehicle into the empty spot next to her
car.
The driver's side door opened
and that's when Tara recognized both the truck and the man who'd almost
flattened her.
Jace Mills. That figured.
Chief idiot and number one annoyance from among her brother's roster of
friends, and now he'd nearly run her over. "Jesus, Jace. You coulda killed
me. Slow the fuck down."
"You kiss your momma
with that dirty mouth, Tara?" Jace raised one sandy brow high above his
hazel eyes. "And you stepped right out in front of me. Look where you're
going from now on."
Tara clenched her jaw and
tried to control the string of obscenities she'd love to let loose on him.
"I was distracted, but
you should still be more careful. There are families walking around here with
kids and stuff." She frowned at the empty cab of Jace's truck.
"Tuck's not with you."
"That is an excellent
observation, Tara. I always knew you were smarter than you look."
Couldn’t this man cut her
even one little break? Every tiny piece of information she got out of him was a
struggle. "Why isn't Tuck with you?"
"That is a very good
question."
She rolled her eyes in
frustration. "Do you have an answer?"
"I do, and it's a
doozy." Jace waggled his brows. "Wanna hear?"
"Dammit—yes, Jace. I
wanna hear." Tara would need dental work from gritting her teeth if she
continued this painful conversation with this obnoxious, frustrating, annoying
man who made her want to scream.
A wide grin stretched across
Jace's lips. "He's at a wine tasting with Becca, and Emma, and his BFF
Logan."
Tara's gut twisted at hearing
Logan's name. Having Jace mention it in the same breath as Logan's new wife
made it even worse. She'd loved Logan for as long as she could remember, and
Becca's sister Emma had swooped in and stolen him from her. She swallowed away
the bitter taste in the back of her throat, nauseated all over again by the
memories of her last conversation with Logan. It had been on the day of his
wedding. He'd told Tara he'd never loved her and never would. That he loved Emma.
She needed to focus on the
situation at hand, and not her broken heart. Tuck's sudden interest in wine
over rodeo left Tara stuck without a ride. "Crap. I needed Tuck to be here
tonight."
"We're going to have to
talk about that potty mouth of yours, young lady." Jace folded his arms
across his chest and leaned against the truck. "But before we do, why did
you need Tuck here? And come to think of it, why are you here?"
"Not that it's any of
your business, but I'm working with the sports medicine team to fulfill my
internship requirement for graduation."
"Sports medicine? That's
what you're going to school for?" Jace frowned. "Hmm. I thought it
was veterinary studies."
"You're so
observant." Tara rolled her eyes.
Jace's only response was to
lift one shoulder in a shrug. Unfortunately, as much of an idiot as Jace was,
it looked like he was also her only hope of a ride. Both her parents' house and
school were too far away to go there, but if Jace would drive her to Stillwater
she could crash for the night at Tuck and Becca's place.
"Can you tow a car with
that thing?" Tara eyed the monster behind him. A man with a truck that
large must be severely lacking in other areas.
He hooked a thumb at his
vehicle. "This thing? Tow a car? Uh, yeah. I could tow a tractor trailer
if I had to. Why?"
"My car is dead."
She tilted her head in the direction of the piece of crap behind her. "One
of the stock contractors took a look at it for me and suggested I tow it to the
local scrap yard and junk it."
Jace eyed the vehicle and let
out a long slow whistle. "That bad, huh?"
"Apparently. And then, I
also kind of need a ride to Tuck's place." She'd play on her brother's
sympathies when she got to Stillwater. Maybe she could convince Tuck to loan
her his truck for the next few weeks.
It's not like he needed it.
He and Becca both worked at the same damn place. They should carpool. Save the
environment. Reduce their carbon footprint, and all that good stuff.
A smug smirk appeared on
Jace's face. "So what you're saying is, you need my help."
"Forget about it. I'll
find another ride." Tara let out a huff. She'd just keep calling Tuck
until he answered.
"I didn't say no. Stop
pouting. God almighty, you're such a child."
Gasping at the worse insult
he could have thrown at her, Tara had no words except to deny it. "I am
not a child. You're a—"
"Tara, stop. If you'd
shut up one doggone minute and listen you'd hear I'm saying okay. I'll help
you. I'll take a look at your car and if it doesn't look fixable, I'll tow it
to the scrap yard and drive you back to Stillwater."
This man was so infuriating,
she'd love to plant the toe of her cowboy boot right where the sun didn't
shine, but he was willing to help so she'd have to play nice. "And what
would I have to give you in exchange? I'm warning you. I've got hardly any cash
on me. Not even enough to help pay to fill that monster of yours with gas.
Seriously, like next to none. I emptied my account for that piece of shit
car."
"What's with the Jenkins
family that y'all always assume I'm destitute?" Jace scowled. "I
don't need your money. I have plenty of my own to pay for gas, thanks."
That comment confused her.
She honestly didn't think or care about Jace's finances, but whatever, she
still didn't trust him as far as she could throw him. He wouldn't do her a
favor for nothing. He must have some ulterior motive. "Then what do you
want?"
"Hmm, let's see. What do
I want?" Jace stared up at the sky and tapped one forefinger to his chin.
"I know. You have to be nice to me. No name calling. No smartass comments.
None of your usual bullshit. Think you can do that?"
Not likely. "I don't know. For how long?"
"Until we get to
Stillwater. Starting now."
"How about starting the
moment we get inside the arena, for until we get in your truck to start the
drive to Stillwater?"
"You're
unbelievable." Laughing, Jace shook his head. "All right. It's a
deal."
Jace extended one big, rough
hand and though she'd never willingly touched him before, Tara shook it to seal
the deal on this unholy alliance.
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