02 Buck Naked Read online

  Buck twitched when he felt something sting his bare ass and reached behind him to slap at whatever it was.

  “A mosquito,” he grumbled, looking at his hand. “I think they see an all-night feast.” He took a moment to kiss her, a soft kiss, full of a feeling that went far beyond sex. “I think we’d better get some clothes on before all that’s left of us are the bones.”

  Amy laughed, that musical sound that he loved. “You’re probably right.” She stroked one cheek. “Even though I hate to move.”

  “Me too.” He sighed, rose to his feet and held out a hand to help her up.

  They shook out their clothes to disrupt any insects that might be crawling around and dressed, staring at each other with loopy grins on their faces. When they were fully clad again, Buck pulled Amy into his arms, brushed the hair from her face.

  “I don’t deserve you,” he told her, “but I’m going to do my best to earn you.”

  Her forehead creased in a frown. “You keep saying things like that. Are you ever going to tell me why?”

  “One of these days. When the time is right.” He kissed her again, just a brief brush of mouth over mouth. Then he gave her ass a gentle slap. “Let’s get going while there’s still light left to see.”

  They raced each other across the pastures, laughing like idiots. When they neared the barn, they slowed to a walk to cool the horses. Buck pulled Shadow Dancer up next to her and reached for her hand.

  “If Cade Hannigan bothers you again, I want you to tell me about it.”

  “Listen, Buck—

  “No. You listen. Even if we had nothing going, I’d take the hide off a man who treated a woman that way. But now this becomes personal to me.”

  From the look in her eyes, he wondered if she could see clear through him.

  “Is this?” she asked. “Personal?”

  Much more so than he’d ever expected.

  “Yes,” he said at last. “Definitely.”

  Chapter Six

  Amy sipped at a glass of wine and looked around the hotel ballroom. It was decked out with every type of paraphernalia and decoration that related to ranching. In back of the podium hung the enormous banner that said Cattleman’s Association in flowing script. Although every male was in formal attire, most of the tuxedos were western cut, and a lot of the ties were the familiar bolo. Many of the women wore enough jewels to make a serious dent in the national debt.

  Dinner had been pleasant. They sat with Reenie and Matt and two couples they knew, and her brother had done a good job of getting Buck involved in the conversation. By the end of the meal, Buck was chatting easily with the two men—or as easily as he did anything with strangers. She wondered what had happened in his past to make him so reticent and withdrawn in new situations. He certainly hadn’t been the day they’d met on the highway, but she wondered if he hadn’t been playing a role then too.

  When the music started, he led her to the dance floor, moving gracefully with her in time to the music.

  “You must do a lot of dancing to be this good,” she commented.

  “Not really.” He tightened his hold on her. “Maybe it’s just my partner.”

  As they left the dance floor, one of the men from dinner snagged him and drew him into a conversation with two other ranchers. Amy got her wine and stood off to the side, waiting and watching. She knew he’d get back to her when he could. She was just glad to see more people reaching out to him.

  “You’d better have saved a dance for me.”

  Cade’s voice startled her. She hadn’t been aware of him coming up behind her. When he rested his hand on her shoulder, she deliberately shrugged it off.

  “I’m busy, Cade. Go away.”

  Roughly, he turned her to face him, his fingers bruising her skin. She wrinkled her nose as a whiff of his breath, thick with alcohol, washed over her.

  “You won’t be so busy when you hear what I’ve got to say.”

  “You’re drunk. Nothing you say could interest me.” His face was so close to hers she felt nausea rise in her throat.

  “This will. It’s about the no-good rodeo cowboy you’ve taken up with.”

  Amy frowned. “Rodeo cowboy? I don’t understand.”

  But her stomach knotted with dread. She realized why there had been something familiar about Buck from the beginning. If this was all true, she and Matt had seen him ride in a couple of the bigger rodeos they’d attended.

  “Ask him.” Cade sneered. “Ask him about when he rode as Narsimha. You know what that means? Lion Among Men. More like a snake in the grass, if you ask me.”

  Again, she tried to break away from him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about and I don’t care.”

  “You should.” His grip on her shoulders tightened until it was almost painful. “Ask him about the drunk tank in jails all over the west. And about the girl he raped. Why do you think he doesn’t drink anymore? Why he settled in a place where no one ever heard of him?”

  “You’re a liar, ” she snapped. “I don’t believe a word you say.”

  He shrugged. “Okay, but if that’s so, you can’t lose anything by asking him. Go ahead. You’ll be damn glad to come crawling back to me when you find out the truth.”

  Amy felt the blood drain from her head. For a moment, she wondered if she would faint. This couldn’t be true, what Cade was saying. It was impossible. Buck didn’t even drink. Not anything alcoholic.

  But what if it was? What if that was the past he kept hidden? The reason behind his conflicting actions? She pushed hard at Cade until she was free and stalked over to where Buck was still talking.

  He broke off the conversation as she approached, concern lining his face.

  “What happened?” he asked. “You’re white as a sheet.”

  She dug her nails into her palms to keep her hands from shaking and pasted on a fake smile. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she apologized. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to borrow Buck for a few moments. I promise to return him in good shape.”

  “No problem,” one of them said. “Buck, we’ll pick this up later where we left off.”

  “Thanks.” He looked down at Amy. “What’s this all about?” he asked.

  She shook her head and tugged on his hand, urging him to follow her. “Not until we’re out of this room.”

  When they were outside and away from everyone, she turned to face him. The look on his face was a mixture of puzzlement and dread.

  “Who is Narsimha?” she demanded, and had the painful satisfaction of seeing him turn pale. “I asked you a question. Are you going to answer me?”

  Every muscle in his face tightened and his hands curled into fists.

  “Where did you hear that name?” he demanded. “Who’s been talking to you?”

  “What does it matter?” She took a deep breath and tried to stop trembling. I just want to know if it’s the truth? What I heard about him. About you. Tell me, Buck.”

  He just stood there, his face a mask, but fury raged in his eyes. “And I just want to know who said anything to you about it, and what they said.”

  “That you’re a drunk who rapes women and has spent a lot of time in jail because of it.” The words just burst from her mouth. She forced herself to take another deep breath. “Well, is it true?”

  He swallowed. “Amy, this isn’t the place to have this discussion.”

  “Tell me.” She tightened her hands into fists. “What’s the difference between you and Cade Hannigan?”

  “I’m nothing like him.” Pain slashed across his face, his eyes darkened and a muscle twitched in his cheek. “Let me take you home and we’ll talk there.”

  Her blood turned to ice, freezing her where she stood. When he reached for her, she backed away, sickness roiling in her stomach. “It’s true.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “It’s all true. I didn’t want to believe him but he was right.”

  “Who was right? Amy, wait,” he called as she fled into the ballroom.

 
She couldn’t get away from him fast enough. Heedless of the people she bumped into, she grabbed Matt and Reenie on the dance floor.

  “I have to go home. Right now.”

  They had stopped dancing and Matt was studying her. “What’s wrong, Amze? You look like you’re on the verge of a heart attack.”

  “Maybe I am. But please, please, please, before I embarrass myself, can we get out of here? If you can just take me home, you can come back and spend the rest of the evening with Reenie.”

  Concern washed over Matt’s face. “Honey, if you don’t feel well, Buck will be happy to take you home. He brought you, after all.”

  “No.” She almost shouted the word. Had to throttle down and force some semblance of calm into her voice. “Not Buck. I don’t want to see him right now. Maybe not ever. You do it. Please.”

  Now anger replaced the concern. “What’s he done? If he’s hurt you in some way—”

  “I think we need to finish this someplace private,” Reenie said.

  Amy looked around and realized she was creating a small scene on the dance floor. She lowered her voice. “Sorry. Can you just do this for me, please? Right now?”

  “We’ll all go,” Reenie said calmly, urging both of them away from the other dancers. “Come on, honey. I’ll get our purses. Matt, you better figure out how to head off Buck if she doesn’t want to see him. Here he comes, and he doesn’t look happy.”

  “I’ll take care of him,” Matt told her. “I don’t know what this is about, so when we get out of here you need to explain things to me.”

  “Okay. Whatever. Just let’s go.”

  Somehow, between Reenie and Matt, they maneuvered her out of the room and managed to stave off Buck, who was not a happy camper. She couldn’t bring herself to speak on the ride home, just kept her eyes closed and her lips pressed firmly together. It was as much to keep from saying anything as it was to keep the nausea swelling up at bay.

  The moment they were at the ranch, she fled for her bedroom. “I’ll be right back,” she called as she hurried down the hall. “Then I’ll tell you everything.”

  She barely made it to her bathroom before dropping to her knees and emptying the contents of her stomach. She had to take deep breaths to calm herself enough to rise to her feet. She could hardly believe what she’d heard. She knew Buck was keeping something back, but never had she imagined anything like this. She’d spent time with him. Made love with him. Taken him into her body and her heart. Maybe Matt was right about her judgment.

  Finally, she stripped off her fancy gown, kicked off her shoes and pulled on an old pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Maybe it would help the chill gripping her body.

  Light taps sounded on her door and she heard Reenie call, “Amy? You okay, sweetheart?”

  “Yes. I’m coming right now.” She pulled the door open and looked into Reenie’s concerned face. “Let’s go sit down and talk. I only want to get this out once.”

  “I made you some hot tea. Go sit down with Matt and I’ll bring it to you.”

  But even the hot liquid couldn’t ease the chill that settled in her bones. Not looking at either her brother or sister-in-law, she gave them the basic details, what little she knew. Then waited for their reaction.

  “And who told you this?” Matt wanted to know. “Let me guess. None other than Cade Hannigan.”

  “So what? Buck didn’t deny any of it when I asked him.”

  “You asked him at the dance? Tonight?”

  She nodded. “As soon as I found out.” She stared into her teacup, miserable and sick at heart. “He didn’t deny any of it, Matt. I hate to admit it, but I guess you’re right after all where my judgment and men are concerned.”

  “Amy.” He sat next to her on the couch, took the cup from her and held her hand. “Look at me. There’s a world of difference between Buck Montgomery and Cade Hannigan.”

  “So you didn’t know all this about him?” She looked up in time to catch her brother exchanging a glance with Reenie. “Wait, wait, wait. You did know? And you didn’t tell me? My God, Matt. You even pushed me to go out with him.”

  “Because I like him and he’s a good man.”

  “But you got upset when I spent the night with him.”

  “I admit I was a little nervous when you went from one to sixty in the relationship without taking a breath. But I had a different reason for cautioning you to take it easy. I just didn’t know, after what happened to him, if Buck could handle a relationship. If he’d let his past get in the way. What if he walked away from you after you’d already gotten deeply involved with him? And gave you no explanation?”

  “Then you should have told me yourself. Or insisted that he tell me in the beginning. I’m not a child and I’m not stupid. I’m a big girl. Really.”

  “Yeah, you are.” He looked at his wife. “Reenie, put some coffee on, would you?” He took his sister’s hand. “And Amy? I want you to listen to everything I’m going to tell you before you say another word. Buck Montgomery has made himself into a fine man. I admit I wanted you to take things slow with him, but I’d never have encouraged this if I thought he was bad for you. If he’s really what you want, then listen carefully to what I have to say.”

  Another hour had passed before Matt finished telling her the entire story, beginning with Buck’s upbringing and his determination to compete on the rodeo circuit. He didn’t spare Buck at all, but he was very specific about what had been done to him, especially the fake rape charge.

  “He made a very deliberate choice to clean up his life,” he said. “To become respectable. A solid citizen. And make a new life for himself. I never would have invited him to the house if I believed otherwise.”

  “Matt knows he should have clued you in, but he’d made Buck a promise. He kept urging the man to tell you himself.” Reenie took her hand. “Buck was just so afraid you’d break it off with him after you heard the story.”

  “So Buck didn’t trust me to believe him and Matt was stuck in some stupid brotherhood code of honor.” Amy jumped up and began to pace. “He foolishly thought he could bury this and it would never come back to haunt him, right?” She stopped and glared at Matt. “But the past never goes away.”

  “Okay.” Matt rubbed his jaw. “I agree that if Buck wasn’t going to tell you himself, I definitely should have.”

  “Then you had no right to criticize me for getting involved with the man.” Amy wanted to stamp her foot. “You were wrong, big brother. Dead wrong.”

  “I should have figured Hannigan would get hold of this.” Matt’s voice was laced with disgust. “I’ll deal with him myself.”

  “Matt, no,” Amy protested. “You’ll just make things worse.”

  “If I don’t teach him a lesson or two, there’s no telling how much more damage he’ll decide to do. Buck doesn’t deserve it and neither do you. But the bigger issue is what do you want to do now?”

  Yes, that was indeed the question. She couldn’t deny what she felt for him. But did she have the courage to go to him? Admit she’d acted hastily? See if they really had a future together?

  She stood up, raked her fingers through her hair and tucked it behind her ears.

  “I’m going to drive over to his ranch,” she announced. “If he’s not there, I’ll look until I find him. I’ll make him listen to my apology and see where it goes from there.”

  “Want me to come with you?” Matt asked.

  Reenie gave a small laugh. “I think if she and Buck work things out, you’ll be an unnecessary addition to the group.”

  “That’s okay then. I think I’ll round up Cade Hannigan and have a little chat with him.”

  “Don’t get arrested for brawling,” Amy teased.

  “It won’t be a brawl. It comes under the heading of taking care of the trash.” Matt hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Good luck. Take your cell. I’m only a phone call away.”

  As soon as he watched the Starks drive away from the hotel, Buck had gotten into his own tr
uck and headed for home. Rage and pain mingled inside him and twisted his gut.

  I should have known I couldn’t outrun the past. I should have tried to figure out a way to tell her in the beginning.

  But, cowardly, he’d secretly hoped Matt would do it and ease her over the hump.

  Well, it was all shot to shit now. Maybe he should just sell the ranch, pull up stakes and look for another place to hide. And stay the hell away from women. But he didn’t want another place, and he sure as hell wanted this woman.

  Fat chance now.

  He made one stop on the way home. When he got inside his house, he pulled off his jacket and tie, plunked down his purchase on the kitchen table and sat down to tug off his boots.. Then he sat staring at the bottle of bourbon he’d just spent money on and tried to decide if he really wanted to go there again.

  Don’t do it. Don’t fall into that familiar trap. You’ve got a new life started.

  He snorted. Some new life. He still couldn’t get away from the old one.

  He was still staring at it, wondering what the hell to do, when he heard his doorbell ring. Then someone pounded on the front door. He didn’t move, deliberately ignoring whoever it was. Waiting for them to go away. But the banging and ringing didn’t stop, and in a minute he heard Amy’s voice shouting through the door.

  “Buck? I know you’re in there. Open the damn door before I get someone to break it down.” There was more loud pounding.

  Great. Just great.

  Finally realizing she wasn’t giving up, he padded to the front hall and yanked the door open.

  “Go away. We have nothing to say to each other.”

  He tried to close the door, but she managed to squeeze by his solid body into the house. “Not true. We have plenty to say.”

  “I can’t imagine what,” he told her as he followed her into the kitchen. “It’s all been said already, hasn’t it? At least that’s the impression you gave me.”

  He nearly mowed her down when she stopped short at the sight of the bourbon on the table.