Cowboy Proud

This cowboy is rugged, proud...and incredibly sexy

Cade Covington is struggling with turning his family’s beloved ranch into a tourist attraction. It’s not just the mortgage big enough to choke a horse, or the invasion of his home by strangers. It’s also the arrival of a city slicker PR professional who doesn’t understand ranch life...and puts every beautiful woman he’s ever seen to shame. Cade wants her.

With her company on the line, Emma can’t afford any mistakes. Especially if that mistake is a broad-shouldered, blue-eyed cowboy who drives her crazy with hunger. But all it takes is one small wager and their chemistry explodes. When the dust settles, will Emma have obliterated her career...or captured her cowboy?

Cade’s breath came out in a rush. “You’re playing with fire, darlin’.”

Emma couldn’t help but agree. Heat rushed up her neck and down through her belly.

This man was sin incarnate, her personal temptation in every way, from his boots to his jeans to his very, very fine body. Everything about him appealed to her. Even his stubbornness.

She’d never experienced this crazy rush of desire, the raw cravings that had her wanting to accept his stupid challenge and see what two weeks would bring. Particularly if it meant seduction and touching and... She shivered.

Then she smiled, rubbing her cheek against his, leaving a slight whisker burn against her skin. “Don’t think I don’t know exactly what I’m doing, darlin’.”

She pressed closer, her lips brushing the shell of his ear.

“You have no idea what I’m capable of...or just how good at it I might be...”

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the second book in the Wild Western Heat series, where the New Mexico plains heat up with more than sunshine.

Cowboy Proud is the story of Cade, the second Covington brother. Cade believes that love isn’t worth the heartache it inevitably brings. Until he meets the woman who is his complete opposite—city to his country, slick to his rough, polished to his unpolished. But it’s their very differences that fuel the fires of a passion neither could have dreamed they’d ever find, particularly in each other.

Having lived on a ranch in New Mexico, so much of this brings home beautiful memories of my time there. The country there is unbelievable, ranging from plains to sand hills, barren desert to stunning mountains, tiny creeks to pristine, trout-filled waters and more. It’s truly one of the most beautiful and diverse places in the United States.

And, as I’ve said before, New Mexico cowboys are every bit as sexy and sincere as those neighboring Texas cowboys. I should know—I married one.

Until next time, happy reading!

Kelli Ireland

Cowboy Proud

Kelli Ireland

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KELLI IRELAND spent a decade as a name on a door in corporate America. Unexpectedly liberated by Fate’s sense of humor, she chose to carpe the diem and pursue her passion for writing. A fan of happily-ever-afters, she found she loved being the puppet master for the most unlikely couples. Seeing them through the best and worst of each other while helping them survive the joys and disasters of falling in love? Best. Thing. Ever. Visit Kelli’s website at kelliireland.com.

This book wouldn’t have happened if not for Gina Lamm, fellow author and friend, encourager and taskmaster.

Your creativity and drill-sergeant-like ways are absolutely amazing.

I’ll drop and give you twenty if this book doesn’t live up to its potential. I promise.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Extract

Copyright

1

THE BLACK, HORSESHOE-SHAPED bootjack sat just inside the front door. It served as a subtle but unmistakable reminder to all who entered the Bar C’s main house that cowboy boots came off right there. If the boots, or the cowboy in them, went any farther than the foyer, that cowboy would find himself wielding a broom and a mop, courtesy of the lady of the house.

Cade Covington notched his left boot heel in the jack and tugged his foot free, repeating the action with his right. Standing in his stocking feet, age-old instinct had him looking down to see if they had holes. The action made him grin unexpectedly, as memories settled over him, thin as late-morning mist.

Not since his mother died more than nineteen years ago had shoe removal been a house rule. But Reagan Matthews had resurrected it the moment she’d moved in with the eldest Covington son and Cade’s older brother, Elijah. Didn’t matter that the house was owned equally by all three brothers. Reagan had taken over the majority of the household chores and thereby set the place to rights as only a woman ever could, turning house into home, and she’d lain down the law.

Cade had grumbled at the time because his easy acceptance would’ve been suspect. It was no secret he resented change, particularly in his personal life. But his dislike of mopping floors far exceeded “resentment.” He hated that particular chore. So he’d deal with this particular change.