Page 5

“Huh,” he says, eyeing me some more. “You do know most happened in Moab, Utah, and Lone Pine, California, right?”

I smile, feeling like the Cheshire Cat.

The cashier calls through the window, not remotely embarrassed to showshe’sbeen eavesdropping, “Reese, honey, she must be talking aboutBonanza.”

His face goes pensive for a moment before he adds, “AndThe Misfits. Hate to burst your bubble, but you’re still a way off. You have to head south to Virginia City and Dayton for those.”’

“Of course,” I shrug, trying to play things off.

“You’ve got a bit more driving to do, but considering you came all the way from Oklahoma, I spose this won’t seem like any great feat to you. Are you heading out today?”

“That was the plan … until I stumbled across you.” Obviously, I leave out the part about the ranch or the treasure, hoping a little flirting and a lot of conversation and charm will gain me access to his homestead. But I know I’m playing a dangerous game, especially with this mouthwatering man.

He swallows hard, pleasure written on his face. “Breakfast?”

“Yes, thank you.” I can’t deny the electrical charge in the air between us or how damn handsome this man is.

“Darling,” Reese says, raising an eyebrow towards the cashier. “I know you’ve got some figuring to do when it comes to taxes and all. Mind if we get a bite to eat, and I come back for my winnings?”

“Sure thing,” she says, ready to do anything for the man who tips well.

“You won’t regret it,” he says, laying on the charm and winking.

Anger wells inside me, nameless and irrational.Darling?Winking. It feels an awful lot like jealousy, but I choose to shrug it off. After all, I’m after access to Gunner Ridge Ranch, not a fool of a cowboy who stayed up all night nearly gambling away his ranch and my one shot at the fabled El Cortez treasure.

Thank goodness I didn’t realize who he was earlier while I watched him at the table. I would’ve been a freaking mess during each roll of the dice.

“Ma’am,” Reese says, offering me his arm in true gentlemanly fashion. He wears an untucked, long-sleeve, button-down brown pearl snap shirt with tiny rose patterns running in stripes vertically. It opens up onto a black, faded Eagles “Hotel California” T-shirt and a pair of darkish Wranglers that hit his thick thighs better than perfect.

I take his arm, exhaling and trying to get it together. But those pesky sparks flying between us double down in this close proximity, though our flesh doesn’t touch. I’m afraid if it did, smoke signals would rise.

He smells like spicy sandalwood, poor decisions, and everything I like about bad boys …until the morning after.

Side-eyeing me, his cheeks glow, and he puffs out his chest, giving the impression he’s proud to have me on his arm.

My eyes gravitate towards his, getting lost in their emerald hue.

“What’s your pleasure, Angel?” He grins from ear to ear, all big, white, straight teeth

“Esmeralda,” I correct.

“That may be what you go by in heaven. But to me, you’ll always be an angel. And one who showed up just in the nick of time. Of course, I spose I could call you my lucky charm. ButI’d imagine everyone will end up thinking you’re a leprechaun or something.”

I snicker. “And we can’t have that.”

“Nah, you may be supernatural, and you may even hang out at the end of rainbows. But that’s where the differences end.”

“It was an okay cereal, though. At least as a kid. I imagine I’d think it was too sugary now.”

“Hell, yes,” Reese agrees, a deep booming laugh rising up from his chest again. As if eating children’s cereal is ridiculous.

“You still haven’t answered my question. What’s your pleasure?”

The way he says it, in his sexy, dark voice, undoes me in ways I refuse to admit. It’s as though my body has decided to perform a mutiny as we walk arm in arm. The new throb between my legs attests to it.

“Well,” I say, licking my lips. “I was over at Starbucks when I heard the clamor in the casino and had to check it out?—”

“Wait, they have a Starbucks here?”