Page 4 of Her Filthy Cowboy

Something flashes in her eyes. “I calls ’em like I sees ’em.”

I urge my horse closer to hers until our knees are nearly brushing. Her cinnamon scent invades my senses, making my head swim with need. “I’ll have you know I’m very good with my hands. I’d be happy to give you a demonstration sometime.”

She laughs, but it comes out a little breathless. “In your dreams, Clayton.”

“Careful what you wish for, baby.” My voice drops an octave. I tap the championship belt buckle that I’m wearing with my forefinger. “In case you haven’t noticed, my dreams tend to come true.”

Savannah swallows hard, her eyes darting to my mouth. “Whatever you say, Brody.”

“How about a wager, then? For old times’ sake.”

Savannah frowns. “What kind of wager?”

“A horse race. You win, I’ll answer whatever question you want. My deepest, darkest secret. My biggest regret. You name it.”

Savannah bites her bottom lip again and it takes all of my willpower not to reach out and tug it from between her teeth. “And if you win?”

“If I win, you give me one night.”

“One night?”

The words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them. “One night. Alone. In a bed. With you.”

Chapter Two

SAVANNAH

The thingabout interviews is that they never go according to plan.

Even the ones you expect to be simple. Like this one with Brody.

I’ve known Brody Clayton, his three brothers, and his sister Abigail my entire life. Both of our families have lived in Cooper Hills for generations. And even though there’s been bad blood between our families since before I was born, I thought Brody and I could put that aside for an hour.

But the second Brody swaggered into his kitchen an hour ago looking like walking sex in his tight Wranglers and pearl snap button down that stretched across his chest, I knew I was in trouble.

Big trouble.

Now his damn championship belt buckle is shining into my eyes as I stare up at him, my heart pounding in my ears as his words echo in my head.

He wants to win a night alone with me?

“You’re joking, right?” But I already know he’s serious. That cocky grin of his says it all.

“What’s the matter? Scared you might enjoy it?”

I scoff, trying to ignore the way my body reacts to his proximity. “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you, cowboy?”

Brody chuckles. “Just stating facts, Sullivan. So, what do you say? You in?”

I hesitate, my mind racing. This is crazy. I’m supposed to be a professional. Who the hell makes a bet like this?

But then again…

I’ve always been drawn to Brody, as much as I hate to admit it. Unfortunately for me, growing up, our families’ feud meant we were destined to be rivals. Brody was the typical popular jock when we were in school, surrounded by a gaggle of skinny girls vying for his attention. They hung on his every word, giggling at his jokes and batting their eyelashes.

Sure, there were a few moments when Brody and I put our rivalry aside. Like the time he snuck me into the Clayton family’s annual bonfire in ninth grade. For a few precious hours, the feud melted away and we were just two teenagers, caught up in the magic of the night.

But when the embers died down and the sun began to rise, reality came crashing back in. We went our separate ways and pretended like it never happened. The next day at school, Brody was back to his usual self, strutting down the hallway with a cheerleader on each arm.